THE CHORAL SOCIETY'S CONCERT.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume I, Issue 29, 15 November 1873, Page 10

THE CHORAL SOCIETY'S CONCERT.

TIM " Bohemian Girl " formed the programme of the Choral Society's concert on Thursday evening, the 6th inst. Long before the overture commenced the hall in which the concert was given was quite crowded ; and itis evident that the Society's future concerts must be given either in • much larger room, or that a less number of tickets must be issued. On the whole the Society- deserves credit for their first attempt afc operatic music. Operatic selections they have given before, but this is the first time • they -have given an entire opera. The band on the occasion had the able assistance of M. Fleury, and did its part of the work in a most praiseworthy style, particularly in the accompaniments to several of the solos and concerted pieces. Thougli sometimes it drowned the voices of the singers we must say that on the whole -'we were -highly gratified at the manner in which it acquitted itselt. The overture went very well taking into account that there was an evident want of second violins, and violas. The Band requires strengthening considerably, and to this object we think the efforts of the Society's council should be directed. The choruses were very fairly rendered on the whole. There was a little hesitation ia picking up the parts here and there, and an evident inclination for " following the leader." Greater distinction should be made between fie piano and forte passages, in order to give the choruses more effect. Miss Marshall and Messrs Towsey and Lewis were set down for the principal solos. Miss Marshall sang with great taste, especially in the duet with Mr Towsey, " The wound upon thiue arm." Mr Towsey was in excellent voice, and contributed in no small degree to the success of the concert. " When other lips" was undoubtedly the gem of the evening, and lie also gave " The fair land of Poland" well. Mr Lewis's best effort was his opening solo, " A Soldier's Life," which he rendered with great spirit ; " The Heart Bowed Down," which he rendered later in the evening, being not to our mind so successful. Miss Sinclair had but very little to do in the part allotted to her, which was to b« regretted, as she was ia excellent voice. Whit little she had to do was well done. A gentleman who is most useful in the chorus seemed to be a little out of his element in eolo part ; this was somewhat noticeable at first, but later in the evening lie was more successful. We hear he had to take the part on short notice. The solo vocalists showed sigus of being tired towards the end of the programme. If the soloists would not sing in the choruses, the voice would not be so much fatigued ; they generally have quite sufficient to do, and had in this case, without taking part in tlu-in. We had expected to hear the beautiful clarionet obligato to the air, " The Heart Bowed Down," as Mr Martin assisted the band, and were disappointed at its not being performed. Mr A. J. Towsey conducted in his usual efficient manner. We observed, howerer, that he gave the time for the galop in the finale of first act far too slowly, and there was an evident desire on the part of M. Fleury to take it more quickly. There is a practice which prevails among band and chorus which does not look well, mid should be discontinued, and that is the marking or beitirg of time by individual members. Every performer is supposed to be guided by the conductor, and he alone should be relied on. Misa F. Muir presided at the piano throughout the whole of the programme, and acquitted herself very creditably indeed. _ Altogether, the " Bohemian Girl " may be classed as one of the Society's successes. While there was nothing very striking o* very brilliant in the performance, there was on the other hand no c.lariug Jiitch or conspicuous failure. Every allowance must be made for the fact that the opera was produced without scenery, or acting, or the many surroundings of an opera stage, which go greatly to make an opera, produced as an opera, successful. We think the concert must have been encouraging to the Society, and hope that it will on a future occasion favor lovers of music in Duncdiu with another wellrendered opera.