THE MESSIAH

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 2302, 14 December 1889, Page 2

THE MESSIAH

The performance of Handel's magnum opus « The Messiah," at the Oddfellows' b*li last eveolug, was the greatest unreal treat wo bave had In Aahbnrton for many a long day, and it house crowded f.- m the doors nearly to ihe footlights tisrifiedby fceqaout and hearty applause to their thorough app?eo ; atlon of the eijop lon»l excellence of many of ihe numbers. I; ti uot a*; all too maoh to sty thit the performance as a whole weald have done credit to any city m the oolony, and the pulm taken by Mr Horaoe G uea tn the training of the ohorns and mnny of the sololsti was amply re warded, by the signal aaocess whioh attended hla eff>rts. We do not say that tho pev> formanc? waa entirely peifeot, the tenon being comparatively weak In numbers and-, aotnowhat overbalanced by the sopron&i «nd bassea, and one of the ohortHca nt »uy rate — " Behold the Lamb of God " — dragging a little; but with almost fbla only exception the conceited numbers were given m oapital time and with good volam », the most pec feat of th m all being <( Foe Unto Us" trad the "Hallelujah Ohorns," the latter of whioh allowing for ihe difference m the number of performers, did not suffer by comparison with Its roQdi !on at tho opanlng of. the Dnnedlo Exhibition. Tho bjloibis, without ex* oeptlon eo3red genaine caooaiies— Mrs DaashWe " How Be»utlful are the Feet," with flute obllgtto (admirably given by Mr G t Jamrson), Mrs Charles Harper's "Bat Thoa dldet net Leave," and Mrs Brooke's " I Know that my .Redeemer Llveth," being entitled wa think to precede ace. Among the Items assigned to lady petformers, Mitiß B*rr»tt's " O Thoa That Tollest " also seoared for her well-deserved applause (Indeed enoores were asked bat, very pioperly, tefased), and moit of the lady aololstß were the reolplenti' of bouquets, Mrs Harper's " Oome Unto Him," »ud Mib Penshire'e "He Snill Feed His Flock," "Then Shall the Byes of the Blind," and the difficult reoltative " There weie Shepherds," were also finished performance!, and Mrs Gamble's ''He Was Despised" was a onrefu'ly given number. Me Maliland Ga-dner'a " Wby do the Nations" must, however, takn rank we tblok as the gem of the evening ; all the numbers allotted to that gentleman, who has a magnifioent baas voice, being Indeed rendered In the most perfect manner, at also were those whioh fell to Mf Wi B, DlxOß whoie pure, true, tenor notes and faultless execution rendered his s'nglng a great maslcal trea f , bis best number being '• Behold and See." Mr H Barfoot, who played the trumpet obllgalo to No. 44, Jl entitled o warm encomium, and the orchestra aleo deserve a hearty meed of praise for the general eicelienoe of theil perfo<-mance : mnd especially the rendition of the difficult bnt beautiful pastoral symphony (Nk 14) The chorou ncm* bcred 64 performers and the orobeotrai4, the latter being ooraposed as follows— viz., Violins (lm) Mr R Wood (leader), Mtesee Simn>ouns and Ethel Gates; vtollos (2ud), Messrs Blmmonds and S^kfc ; viola, Mr Cookoon , flate, Mr G, Jameson ; oorncta, Mesors H* Barfoot »nd Baxter ; trombone, Mr H. Mayo ; piano, Mrs Olaridge ; organ, Mies K'dd ; bats, Mr E. Ward ; tyropani, Mr A, EUrrison. The condaotor's baton waa, of oourfle, wielded by Mr Horace Gates, who may be heartily congratulated upon having aobleved. an immense success, It hai been Bulges tod that a repeat performance should be given a day oi two before Ohr!*tm»B Day— ray, on Mondty, 28 : d Inst. — au-d we hope to hear that this hss bean arranged for.