“THE ROSE MAIDEN.”

Waikato Times, Volume 116, Issue 19353, 5 September 1934, Page 8

“THE ROSE MAIDEN.”

THE PHILHARMONIC CHOIR. A SPLENDID PERFORMANCE. Despite the very unpropitious weather a fairly large audience assembled at the Winter Show Hall last night for the performance of “ The Rose Maiden” (Cowen) by the Hamilton Philharmonic Choir. The story of the Queen of the Flower Fairies who became a mortal and experienced the happiness of love and the tragedy of bereavement has been set to very melodious music, full of colour and appeal, and, as given by the choir last ■night, proved very interesting and enjoyable. Once again Mrs H. C. Ross illustrated her rare gifts as a conductor. She always gets the most from those associated with her, and the manner in which “ The Rose Maiden ’’ was sung reflected the greatest credit upon the singers and their director. There were tone, balance, and, as required, volume or tenderness in the choruses, right from “ Green Vale and Vine-clad Mountain,” with which flic performance opened, to “ Yea, E’en as Die the Roses,” with which it closed. Perhaps the choir’s best effort was “ ’Tis Thy Wedding Morning,” a beautiful number that was particularly well sung. Unusually good support was given by the pianist, Mr IL S. James, who played so well and so artistically that tho lack of an orchestra was not felt; he was undoubtedly a tower of strength to the production. The choir was very happy in its choice of soloists. Mrs Myra Booth was in particularly good voice, and her numbers were a delight. 11 Bloom On, My Roses," was beautifully sung, and Mrs Booth was equally successful in her other solos and in duets and trios. Mrs lan Stuart took the contralto solos, the appealing quality of her voice being well displayed in the scena, “ Ask of Yon Ruined Castle ’’ and in the trio, “ Hast Thou Wandered?” Mr J. T. Battersby, tenor, had much to do, and did it all well. The recitatives were delivered impressively, and the airs, “ The Sleep of Even," “What Sounds There So Softly?” and others, were sung very dramatically, while bis duet with Mrs Booth, “ I Know a Rosebud Shining,” was one of the gems of the evening. Mr Leo Foster, baritone, completed the quartette of soloists, his principal number being “ Where Gloomy Pine Trees Rustle,” while he gave good assistance In duets and trios. Prior to “ The Rose Maiden ” a short miscellaneous programme was given. Mrs A. English (pianist), Miss Margaret Roe (violinist) and Miss Helen Heywood (’cellist) played (he Mendelssohn Trio in D Minor in musicianly manner, obtaining good' tone ancl a nice balance. Recalled, they played a gay little Russian dance by Moussorgsky. Mrs A. C. Lavington proved popular with her well-rendered songs at Hie piano, and Mr W. Moore, in clever musical monologues, told of the results of kissing—on the stairs and at tho railway station! presentation of Bouquets.

At the close of the performance Mr H. Beebe, on behalf of members of the choir, handed bouquets to Hie lady soloists and to the conductor. He paid a warm tribute to Mrs Ross, and voiced the choir’s appreciation of all tiiat she had done. Mr Noel Johnson spoke of the excellence of the performance, and announced that it would be repeated on a Sundae evening this month on behalf of ffie funds of the Returned Soldiers’ Association.