MALE CHOIR SOCIETY.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 16725, 28 April 1920, Page 4

MALE CHOIR SOCIETY.

THE EIGHTH CONCERT.

The Now Plymouth Male Choir can bo ' congratulated on having achieved a deemed step lorward in tueir eighth concert, whicn was "given m the workers' bocial Hall on Tuesday evening. 'The concert opened the society's tlurd season and, though good work had been done by the choir on previous oc-, casions, it cun bo said that none had been better than this. Considering tlm singing ot the choir throughout the six part songs given during tho evening, a greater excellence than in the past was noticeable. Not one item failed to give much pleasure to the audience. In the matter ot numbers the choir was not quite so strong as it has been seen, but the success which attended its appearance on this occasion should be a help in overcoming any existing difficulties in the way of increasing membership. In technique and in tone the choir showed accomplishment which gave evidence of the assiduity of the members in preparation for the concert and to the skill of the conductor (Mr. E. IV’. G.M'Leod). A few empty seats wore -evident, hut tho performance certainly deserved an attendance as large as tho hall, was capable of -holding. Tho choir first sang “British Grenadiers” (Fletcher) with appropriate abandon. Their next item was ‘‘Drink to me only with thine eyes” (Button), and this gem was delicately treated. ‘‘Como Merry Comrades All” (Becker) was acclaimed as the choir’s best number and it was an excellent test of tho singers’ capabilities. The remaining items also deserved a hearty reception and received it. They were: “To Arms” (Maunder), “Bells of St. Mary’s,” in which the solo part was taken in a very pleasing manner by Mr. B. P. Bellringer, and “Nightfall” (A. Dard). In tho last number the. part singing called for more than usual artistic skill, and it was amply forthcoming.

The selection of assisting artists was again proved to be a very wise one. Miss Mina Caldow, the gifted Auckland soprano, gave increasing pleasure with each appearance to sing. She has a rich toned voice, which is powerful throughout the register and can bo applied no loss effectively in a light and lilting measure as m others expressing the full range of pathos and longing. Miss Caldow was warmly encored for each of her gangs, which wore; “Depuis Le Jour” (Charpentier), “How’s My Boy” (Homer), and “Waiata Maori” (Alfred Hill). Hill’s beautiful song of the Maori provided a welladapted vehicle for the conveyance of the full music of the singer’s voice and her powers of interpretation. The Rev. A. J 3. Hunt, of Wellington , is an elocutionist with the power of moving his audience,according to.thq, mood of his subject. His numbers werb all heartily acclaimed and it was evident, that his dramatic renderings were fully appreciated. “The Highwayman” (Alfred Noyes) and “Dan’l Peggotty” (the passage in "David Copperfield” in •which, this character learns that liis niece has left him) gave Mr. Hunt full scope for the exorcise of his art in portraying tragical happenings. “The New Hat” (Hickory Wood)' was of a different nature and just as light and frivolous as the name implies. To it too Mr. Hunt did full justice. The reappearance of Mr. A. R. Macdonald in the activities of the choir wars welcomed by all who had pleasant memories of his singing prior to hia absence. He sang “The Desert Prayer” (Newton), the dramatic spirit of which received fhll recognition in his interpretation. The pianist (Mr. A. 0. Sturrock) embellished the work of the choir and of the soloists whom he accompanied. To-night the concert will be repeated. The soloists and elocutionist will give new items.