WANGANUI MALE CHOIR.

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 160726, 12 August 1920, Page 7

WANGANUI MALE CHOIR.

ENTERTAINMENT LAST EVENING. The members of the Wanganui Mijle Choir gave another of their delightful concerts in the Opera House last evening, No better proof of the popularity of this combination would be required than the packed house and the spontaneous applause with which each item was received. No doubt the only complaint that the public could have to offer would be too much for their money. At 11 p.m. there were still two items on the, programme to complete, and a large number of the audience were reluctantly compelled to tak% their departure in order to catch various conveyances to convey them to their homes. The length of the programme was added to by the well-merited and appreciative encores iu the early stages. Referring to the work of the Choir generally, it may he truthfully stated that it showed good merit, and there was abundance evidence of careful training, brought about by persistent practice. There were a few obvious weaknesses, but these were more than counterbalanced by the meritorious way in which many of the intricate and difficult passages were interpreted. A little more hardening up in the basses would also be acceptable. The conductor, Mr L. Craig, who was heard to good advantage in his solo work, has every reason to be well satisfied with the success achieved last evening, and this should go a long way towards stimulating the public to take a very live interest in the welfare of the Choir,, iu order that it may be sufficiently financed to make the proposed visit to Wellington to participate in the competitions. Proceedings opened with the National Anthem, followed by “King Olaf’s Christmas,” by the Choir, the cantata being exceptionally well rendered. Mt S. M. Brewer (baritone) and Mr C. Wadman (tenor) were the soloists, and both did justice to their parts. Mrs Peter Lewis then appeared in “My Dreamland Rose,” and her sweet soprano voice was heard to fine effect, and she richly deserved the vociferous encore. Later in the programme Mrs Lewis sang the Italian translation of “Rosebuds,” and again delighted the audience, being once more encored. Messrs Wadman, Couch, Brass, and Bird harmoniously rendered “Softly Dream.” One of the real gems of the evening was the instrumental trio—Miss Price (violin), Miss Bignell (piano), and Mr W. Shepley (concertina)-—the dulcit tones of the violin blending with thoso of the concertina. Mr Chas. Wadman, in his tenor solo, “The Hoad Looking Forward.” pleased the audience, who accorded him an encore. The Double Quartette was only feebly applauded after the rendering of “All are Sleeping, Weary Heart.” The other items by the Choir before the interval were “Hymn to Cynthia,” “Joy to the Victors,” and “What Care I How Fair She Be.” All were favourably received. After the interval the Choir opened with “Songs of the Fleet,” with orchestral accompaniment, with Mr L. Honeycomhe as soloist. The latter had a difficult undertaking in singing with the heavy accompaniment, and on various occasions was not heard to the best advantage, hut, nevertheless, is deserving of congratulation. The work of the Choir was also occasionally draggy, ■ hut, taking into consideration the length of the production, they did remarkably well, and the harmonising in the latter part, “Farewell,” was more than pleasing. Undoubtedly the most difficult item of the evening was the song cycle “In a Persian Garden,” an adaptation from the “Rubaiyat,” of Omar Khayyam. The soloists were Madame Emily Briggs (soprano), Miss A. Astbury (contralto), Mr T. Sparring (tenor), and Mr L. Craig (bass). At a few hours’ notice, Madame Emily Briggs, owing to the ill-health of Mrs T. L. Sperring, generously consented to take the soprano solos, and acquitted herself with great credit. Miss Astbury, a young performer, possesses a clear contralto voice with good enunciation and range. Mr Sperring, the tenor, was also in fine form. The concluding items on the programme were by' the Choir. The organist was Miss E. Turvey, and Miss Ethel Bignell, L.A.8., proved herself to bo a most sympathetic and efficient accompanist.

During' the interval, Mr T. B. Williams (Mayor) made an appeal to lion, members and the public generally for donations towards defraying the expenses of the Choir to the Wellington competitions. The Mayor pointed out the desirability of retaining such a fine combination of male singers in Wanganui, and stated that it was only by them being afforded the opportunity of entering into competition with other Choirs that they would discover their defects and profit thereby. He hoped the appeal would not be in vain, and that at no great distant date Wanganui would possess the champion Male Choir of the Dominion.