CAROL CONCERT.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 643, 22 December 1932, Page 12

CAROL CONCERT.

Harmonie Society’s Fine Offering. GOOD SOLO WORK. Following on their initial step last year, the Christchurch Harmonic Society gave a carol concert in the Civic Theatre last night, and though the audience was hot as large as the music deserved, the offering must be rated as a conspicuous success. From the rich store of Christmas music the selection was made with taste and discernment, and the audience were favoured with old favourites, in which they were invited to join and did, as well as lesser known but hardly less melodious songs. The choir, under the able baton of Mr Victor C. Peters, has been improving steadily ever since that gentleman returned from his visit to the Old Country, and now the sympathy between the conductor and his choir is Veil nigh perfect. There is plenty of volume without the slightest straining after effect, and the result is that the carol music of last evening’s performance received most high-class treatment. The Christmas hymn, “ It Came Upon The Midnight Clear," was the first number, the audience joining with the choir. The organ accompaniment, played by Mr W. Melville Lawry, heightened an excellent effect. Other choral numbers in the first half of the programme were “Welcome Yule" (Parry), •* O Come, All Ye Faithful,” “ Remember, O Thou Man," “In dulci Jubilo," " Good King Wenceslas," and the hymn, “Hark, the Herald Angels Sing," in which the audience joined. The beautiful “ First Nowell " was entered into with enthusiasm by the audience in the second half of the evening, and other carols by the choir were “ I Sing the Birth,” “ Cradle Song," “ I Saw Three Ships," and " Ring Out, Wild Bells.” The psalm, “Lord, Who hast made us for Thine own," was impressively rendered, and the choir’s final number was the “ Hallelujah Chorus ” from Handel’s “ Messiah.” Mr Melville Lawry’s work at the organ throughout the evening was excellent, and his interpretation of the solo “ The Pastoral Symphony," by Handel, was most acceptable. The vocal soloists for the evening were Miss Eunice Meredith and Mr J. L. Tennent. Miss Meredith, the possessor of a clear and pleasing soprano, sang as programme numbers “ Rejoice Greatly,” from the “ Messiah,” “On Earth, Peace,” by Parry, and Henschel's “ Morning Hymn," and as encores “Come Unto Me” and “Sleep, Holy Babe." Mr Tennent, the possessor of a pleasing bass, sang “ Mighty Lord and King All Glorious” (Bach), in good style. the piano Miss Blanche Atkinson accompanied with her customary artistry and appreciation.