FEW ATTEND FINAL OPENING CONCERT AT MUNICIPAL HALL

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18418, 21 March 1928, Page 7

FEW ATTEND FINAL OPENING CONCERT AT MUNICIPAL HALL

The handsome new concert hall was but sparsely attended last evening for the second of the inaugural musicales at which the Royal Musical Society and Liedertafel appeared. The completely roofed-in stage acts as a splendid sounding board, and the soloists all had the gratification of giving an impression of power that had never before been apparent. The acoustics certainly seem most satisfactory. The Royal Musical Society, filling the stage to the last seat, and bringing a pleasing glow of colour with the varied dresses of the ladies, carried off the honours of the evening with brilliant singing of choruses and scenes from Gounod’s “Faust.” All the. four sections of voice were adequately represented in numbers and volume, and, under the direction of Mr Vernon Griffiths, the popular excerpts fronj the French composer’s masterwork went with a swing. The “Waltz Song,” the “Kermesse Scene,” and the “Soldiers' Chorus” were the numbers given, the first-named especially going well. It is a pity that Christchurch has not been given the opportunity of hearing Wag ner's “Lohengrin,” and "Tannhauser’ in similar concert form. In Europe and America they are often performed in such manner with success. Besides the opera selection, there were a number of soloists in the Musical Society’s programme. Mrs E. Litchfield in two songs of Frederic Cowan, who had such popularity in the nineties as a composer, sang with very ksweet, smooth tones. Instrumentalists were Mr R. L. Clarke, Mr E. G. Williams, of the Woolston Band (who won a popular success), and Mrs J. E. Russell and Mr Griffiths. The two latter played well Saint-Saens’s Variations for Two Pianos on a Theme of Beethoven’s. Airs Russell was piano accompanist for the society. Miss Dulcie Mitchell was at her best in Sibelius's imposing song, “The Tryst,” the hall suiting her voice, and bringing out unusual volume. The Liedertafel, under Mr A. Worsley, brought forward a programme containing much Elgar. Five skilful partsongs by the great English composer opened proceedings, and despite a temporary mishap, which necessitated a re-

start. the pieces were sung with confidence. The male choir was best heard in Harrison’s “Viking Song,” a bold and varied composition which well illustrates its theme. The singing had plenty of vigour and animation. The tone of the tenors is not always truly musical, but the basses bring ample volume to their work. Careful attention to light and shade was noticeable in German’s “O Peaceful Night,” softly given. Mr W. J. Trewern was another who found the new hall grateful to the voice, and his singing of “Lend Me Your Aid” from Gounod’s “Irene,” was effective. Mr G. E. March, whose enunciation is very good, sang an Elgar song, and Dr Leslie Crook, the helpful accompanist of the society, joined with the conductor in piano duets by Dvorak and Moszkowski. SYDNEY FRANCIS HOBEN.