A MUSICAL TREAT

Waikato Independent, Volume XXXIV, Issue 3209, 20 September 1934, Page 5

A MUSICAL TREAT

“THE BOSE MAIDEN” PHILHAEMONIC CHOIE A musical treat was provided in the Parish Hall on Tuesday evening when the Hamilton Philharmonic Choir presented Cowan’s tuneful cantata, “The Eoso Maiden.” Unfortunately there was not a largo attendance, but the . performance was muck enjoyed, i The theme of the music centres 1 round tho story of the Queen of the Fairies, who, weary of a life of unj broken calm, prays of the newly returned Spring that he will bestow upon her also, the gift of love that ho bei stows upon man. Ho warns her of the 1 risk she runs, but finally yields to her I entreaties by changing her, whilst she sleeps, into the form of a beautiful 1 girl. Under the name of Eoscblossom, j she wanders through the world to find ' the love she seeks, and meets with a ' girl who, having been betrayed and deserted by her lover, loses her senses and dies broken-hearted. But, undeterred from her search, Eo&eblossom becomes the wife of a forester, with whom she lives for a time in such per- ‘ feet happiness that she cannot survive his death. The elves bewail the fate of their Queen, and curse love as fatal to peace and happiness.

Pleasing Choruses Under the baton of Mrs H. C. Boss, tho choir delighted with a number of choruses. The male voices wcic a lit-

tle weak, but the general effect showed | careful practice. The choruses, 4 ‘Oh! I Earth-born Sorrow ’ ’ and ‘ ‘ ’Tis Thy Wedding Morning,” wore particularly . pleasing. j Outstanding work was done by the soloists, all of whom received well- . merited applause for their efforts, Mrs ' Myra Booth was very sympathetic with her rendition of the soprano numbers, , the solo, .‘‘Bloom on, Bloom on My Eoses, ’ ’ being her best effort." Mrs lan Stuart’s delightful contralto voice was heard in the scena, “Ask of Yon Euincd Castle” and “Yet Chime They ! so Sadly,” and it was a pity there was ! not more work from her. Some Effective Numbers The star performer was Mr J. T. ' Battersby, who admirably filled the tenor role. His glorious voice was heard in several recitatives arid solos, cutstanding of which were “Tho Sleep of Even” and “Far From the Summer Blossom.” An effective number was the duet, “I Know a Kose-bud Shining,” by Mrs Booth and Mr Batters- . by. 1 The baritone solos were well sus--1 tained by Mr Geo. Wheeler, who took the part at short notice. His main work was the solo, “Where Gloomy Pino Trees Bustle,” and ho sung an effective duet with Mrs Booth, “Soon as the Mountain Summits.” i The accompaniments were played by Mr H. S. James. Prior to the cantata a trombone quartette consisting of Messrs G. Parkhousc, J. Ecidy, S. Wilson and F. Hear played Beethoven’s “Equali.” 1 The function was in aid of the Cambridge Municipal Band and at the conclusion, the Mayor, Mr C. H. Priestley, thanked Mrs Boss and the choir for their assistance, and expressed regret that there was not a large audience.