"UNDER THE PALMS."

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8644, 3 December 1889, Page 2

"UNDER THE PALMS."

Gratifying as the rain on Monday night must have been to parched vegetation, it rather interfered with the attendance at the performance in the Alexandra Hall of tho cantata, " Under the Palms." From a musical standpoint, however, it was highly successful, and great praise is due to Mr Geo. Garry for tho manner in which the cantata was produced. " Under the Palms" is supposed to illustrate the Feast of Tabernacles, or Harvest Festival, that took place after the return of the Jews from captivity in Babylon. The music throughout is tuneful, and there are many very pretty airs, which were duly appreciated by the audience. The opening chorus, " Wake ! Captives," was given by the full company, numbering some seventy voices, and was perhaps the best rendered chorus of all, though the finale, " We are Marching on to Zion," went exceedingly well. The tenor solos were taken by Mr Clmrton, who acquitted himself exceedingly well, " List to the Evening Psalm" being one of his best items. Mr Perry and Mr Simms divided the bass solos, Mr Perry taking the lion's share ; his rendering of the solo, "O, Bless the Lord," was particularly good. The lady soloists were Misses Ford, Wood, and Teed, all well known vocalists. Miss Ford was very successful in the numbers "We Remember the Graves," and "O, Church of Christ." Mis>s Teed took the alto parts, which seemed to suit her voice, and the solo, "By the Dark Euphrates Stream," was perhaps the gem of the evening. Miss Wood was heard to most advantage in the concerted numbers with Miss Teed. >l 'Neath the Palms' Protecting Shade" was one of the best items given by the choir. The school children's choruses went exceedingly well, and with a steadiness which reflected much credit on the conductor. Besides those mentioned Miss Jackson and Mr Ainsworth took part in quartettes. The orchestra consisted of Mr Arnold fviolin), Mr Okey (double bass), Mr Birch (cornet), with Miss Okey as organist and Miss Yates pianist. To the two latter a great deal of the success of the piece was duo. Mr Garry must be congratulated on having brought his labours to so successful an > issue, the training of a large chorus being no mean undertaking. It is intended to repeat the performance on Thursday night, for the benefit of the Band.