THE WORLD OF MUSIC.

Waikato Times, Volume 112, Issue 18809, 3 December 1932, Page 17 (Supplement)

THE WORLD OF MUSIC.

“The Messiah” at Auckland. For the Auckland Choral Society's I performance of “The Messiah . Yvinive i Fraser will be the soprano, Mina Cal- | dow the contralto, J. T. Battersby, of Hamilton, the tenor, and Barry Coney the bass. . A performance of "The Messiah will also be given in the Pitt Street Methodist Church, Auckland, on December 11, under the direction of Professor Moor-Karoly, with the following soloists: Ida Holmes, soprano, Mina Caldow, contralto; Arthur Ripley, tenor; and Ernest Thomas, bass. Myra Booth Reoltal. A very attractive programme has been arranged for the recital to be given by Mrs Myra Booth and her pupils on December 12. Mrs Booth will contribute a group of four modern songs not previously heard In Hamilton, and the students will be heard In solo and concerted numbers. There Is a women's choir of 34. Mr W. Moore, of Te Aroha, a talented ’cellist, 'will assist. An Orchestra of 220. Orchestras for grand opera in Europe, says Signor Rossi, conductor of the Grand Opera Company now in New Zealand, range from 40 players up to 220, the largest being at Vienna, where there is a huge open-air theatre with accommodation for 60,000 persons, and the performers for a single opera total 1500. Signor Rossi does not subscribe to the popular belief that operas in English would be more suitable for English audiences. They would lose the spirit of the music, he said, explaining that music was often written to suit the sounds of the syllables. He gave an instance in Australia, where at a rehearsal of an Italian opera chorus being sung In English ho wanted a certain note sustained. When the chorus sang the phrase in that way

It broke down with laughter, as the English syllable was not suitable for such treatment. Hamilton Phllharmonlo Choir. “ The Messiah ’’ practices are proceeding very satisfactorily, and the performance to be given on December 8 promises to reach a high standard. The choir is doing exceptionally good work under the direction of Mrs 11. C. Ross. The soloists —Mrs Myra Booth, Mrs lan Stuart, Mr Arthur Ripley, and Mr George Wheeler —possess voices of beautiful quality, and thenr numbers are sure to be very enjoyable. Musical Moments. It Is said that over 40,000 peoplo enjoyed the Williamson Grand Opera Company's performances in Auckland and 42,000 in Wellington. * * # * Edna Langmuir, formerly of Hamilton, will broadcast piano solos, monologues and soprano solos from IYA, Auckland, on Wednesday night. * $ * * Auckland is the only town in New Zealand that will have a return visit by the Williamson Grand Opera Company. The company will make the long jump from Invercargill to Auckland. * $ * *

There will he 400 performers in [lie Hoyal Wellington Choral Union's production (in operatic form, with scenery and costumes) of " Hiawatha,” by Coleridge Taylor, next week. Mr. John Bishop will be conductor, and Ernest Short will lake the title role.