MUSIC, DRAMA, ETC.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume I, Issue 19, 6 December 1890, Page 7

MUSIC, DRAMA, ETC.

|_By

ZITHER.]

The. Auckland Choral Society held their fifth and last concert of the season on Tuesday evening at the Choral Hall. There was a large and fashionable audience present. Mendelssohn’s ever-popular oratorio Athalie was the work performed. The soloist’s were: Mrs. Upton, first soprano; Miss Baume, second - soprano; and Miss Walker, alto. Herr Schmitt, , as .usual, .wielded the conductor’s baton with precision, and Herr Tutchka was a most efficient leader of the orchestra. This gentleman appeared for the first time on Tuesday in that important position, and the Society are to be congratulated on having obtained such an excellent musician as their leader. The orchestra fairly excelled themselves on Tuesday last, and have never been heard to better advantage. The choruses were all sung well, more especially the opening and closing numbers. “ The Heaven and the Earth display,” which are full of rich and beautifully grand harmony. Mrs. Upton’s singing was correct, but her voice has not sufficient power to do justice to a work of this description. Miss Baume appeared to be nervous, and her singing was decidedly “jerky” at times. Miss Walker, who sung for the first time at the Society’s concerts, created a favourable impression. She has a rich contralto voice, and will be an acquisition at the Society’s concerts in future. The second part of the programme took the form of an ordinary concert, and the change

was an agreeable one. The Orchestra, under - Herr Schmitt’s baton, played “La Dame Blanche ” (Boildieu) capitally. Mrs. Kilgour sung “ Ermani Involami” (Verdi), but the selection was a little beyond her capabilities. She, however, acquitted herself fairly well. Miss Annie Buckland’s violin solo, “ Souvenirs de Belline,” was very well received, and the fair performer was loudly applauded at its conclusion. Miss Handyside sung Gounod’s well-known Serenade “La Berceuse ” most correctly, the violin obligato thereto being played by Miss Freda Marsden. Miss Handyside has a clear and effective pronunciation, but her singing lacked animation. “ Mona ” was well sung by Mr. A. L. Edwards, and Gabussi’s duet, “ The Fisherman,” was well rendered by Mrs. Kilgour and Mr. Cornelius Taylor. The Orchestra brought the concert and a most successful season to a close by playing Scholtz’s beautiful march “ Banteuzug.” The next work performed will, of course, be the u Messiah, which will be rehearsed for the first time on Tuesday evening.

A most enjoyable Private Concert was given by Miss Harding on Wednesday evening last, in the Choral Hall. The attendance was very good, considering only a limited number of tickets sold. The opening piece, the Overture, “ Masaniello,” by the Orchestra, in which over thirty instrumentalists took part was very efficiently rendered, and reflects great credit on Miss Harding for the way in which she has trained her pupils. Mr. A. L. Edwards sang “Daybreak,” but did not sing up to his usual style, as he was suffering with a cold. The song, “Pack Clouds Away,” by Miss F. 8. Harding, was very efficiently rendered, the Clarionette Obligato by Mr. S. Jackson also adding to the effect. Mr. Charter sang the “ The Captain of the Lifeboat” in his usual good style, while Mr. T. M. Jackson, in the song “ Because I love thee so,” was splendid, and had to respond to an encore. Miss Ethel Cotter in the Piano Solo “ Tarantelle,” was very good, playing from memory. A March by the Orchestra ended the first part of the programme. The second part was opened with the Gavotte, “ Yellow Jasmine,” by the Orchestra, the time and blend of the instruments having a good effect. The Serenade, “ She Sleeps,” by Mr. Alf. Brook, was very efficiently rendered, while the song, “ Sing Sweet Bird,” by Miss Baume, brought down the house, and in response to an encore, “ Queen of the Earth ” was sung with great taste. Mr. S. Jackson, in the Clarionette Solo “ Grand Fantaisie,” also scored a great success, and the song, “I seek for thee in every Flower,” by Mr. Simms, was fairly sung. The final piece, a Waltz, “Telegram,” by the Orchestra, brought an enjoyable evening to a close. Miss Harding conducted with great judgement and skill, and Miss Maude Harding proved very efficient as leader of the Orchestra.