Remuera Musical Society.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXV, Issue XX, 17 November 1900, Page 937

Remuera Musical Society.

The Remuera Musical Society gave their last concert of the seasou in St. Mark’s Schoolroom on Monday, when tiade’s cantata, “Comala,” preceded by a short concert programme, was presented. As usual, the hall was well filled with au appreciative audience. In the first part, Miss Hunter delighted the audience with her rendering of "Believe Me,” in which her rich ami sympathetic voice was heard to great advantage. An emphatic encore was the result, and the singer bowed her acknowledgments. Mr. R. H. S. Biss was heard in Stephen Adams’ “Fiona,” but his. rendering was somewhat lacking in expression. Benedict’s beautiful duet, “The Moon Hath Raised,” was well sung by Messrs. W. J. and S. Cousins. The latter gentleman bids fair to have a very fine bass voice. The orchestra, in Suppe’s “Fatinitza,” attempted to do what no orchestra has ever succeeded in doing, to play a selection successfully without sufficient practice. The result was a somewhat uneven performance. In choosing “Comala” for their final concert of the season the Society chose a popular work, and one which, at the same time, gave full scope to their ambition. Long known as a strong composition, “Comala” is a dramatic setting of an intensely dramatic story, and the task which the. Society set themselves was no light one. Sueh incidents as Comala’s wateh on the mountain, her agonised fear as to the result of the fight, the comfort of the maidens, and the chorus of spirits, demand treatment of a high order, and the success of last night’s performance shows what an advance the Society has made. Though by no means faultless, yet the performance showed the result of careful, intelligent practice, aud must be said to be one of the best, if not the best, of all the Society’s efforts. The soloists were: Comala, Miss Annie Taylor; Fingal, Mr. Charles Kissling; Dersagrena, Miss Hunter; and Melicoma, Miss C. Jackson. Miss Taylor must be congratulated on her interpretation of an extremely arduous part. Her fine voice was heard to advantage, especially in the “storm scene,” and her rendering throughout showed careful preparation. Perhaps her best number was “Still’d as the Fight,” while her duet with Fingal, “Farewell, My Beloved,” was another praiseworthy effort. Admirable as her performance was, however, it must be confessed that music of this nature is hardly Miss Taylor’s forte. Her voice has scarcely the fulness and ease in production that the part demands. Mr Charles Kissling, as Fingal, scored another success, though his voice was at times hardly robust enough. In the duet, “Farewell, My Beloved,” he was excellent, and the lament, “Let Me Gaze on My Beloved,” was sung with true feeling. Tn the part of Dersagrena Miss Hunter provided one of the gems of the evening, the ballad, “One Day There Came From Lochlin,” which was sung- in charming style. Miss C. Jackson, as Melecoma, showed promise, her chief fault being lack of expression. From the nature of the story, the chorus in “Comala” has an unusual amount of work, and perhaps the most pleasing feature of the performance was the way in which this work was done. The singing of the chorus showed great improvement on previous efforts. The voices were stronger, and there was more resolution displayed in execution. The basses were exceptionally good, and the choruses of warriors, “Up. Sound Ye the Horn,” and “Up for the Fight,” were admirable. The sopranos and altos were also very successful, especially in the number, “Wildly Rushes the Storm,” in which the music is admirably suited to the sense. The best of the choric numbers was, however, the chorus of bards and maidens, “In the Darkness of Clouds,” the volume of sound produced being very fine. The orchestra, under Miss Millie Peak, showed a considerable improvement on their previous effort, and rendered excellent service throughout. Mr. Connell conducted with his usual skill, and Mrs. Petrie acted as accompaniste. Altogether the Remuera Musical Society are to be congratulated on their proRuction of “Comala.”