AUCKLAND CHORAL SOCIETY.

Auckland Star, Volume VI, Issue 1668, 23 June 1875, Page 3

AUCKLAND CHORAL SOCIETY.

Thi- Society has for some time past been languishing for want of ,a" responsible Conductor :in fact it seemed not improbable that the difficulties with which the Committee have had to contend, in this and in other respects, would result in a premature dissolution of the Society. But a new start has now been made, and it is hoped that the energy of our amateurs will not fall short of restoring the Society to .that high standard which it once occupied. Great, very great improvement is necessary in order to attain this result. If the Society is to prosper on its "re-organised basis,"—we believeithat is the correct expression—• there must be greater attentipn paid to the mimdice of music. The chorus must be more thoroughly practised, the soloists must learn to give a greater amount of expression to their parts, and the band must be more regular in their attendance. The re-appoint-ment of Mr Brown as conductor, although in itself a matter for congratulation, will not effect the desired reform, except with the cordial co-operation of all the performing members. We trust (our words are written in no unfriendly spirit) that our amateurs have learnt by experience that hasty and illprepared concerts do not pay, aud that the surest method of commanding success is to deserve it. In any remarks which it may be our duty to pass upon the Society's performances, we shall endeavour to give a fair and impartial criticism, with a view of suggesting improvement, and avoiding as far as possible all that is personal. The concert to subscribers, which was given last night in the Choral Hall, consisted of Handel's Pastoral Serenata " Acis and Galatea," followed by a miscellaneous second part, also secular. It is perhaps not generally known that Handel's first idea of the subject was embodied in an Italian cantata, which he composed at the early ace of 23, entitled, "Aci, Galatea, c Polifenio." The English c&ntata, which was written thirteen years later and is not dissimilar in construction, was produced twice in the year 1732; once with all the accessories of a theatrical performance, and afterwards " with no action," but with costume and scenic decorations. Now-a-days, we have to put up with the monstrosity of a Polyphemus in a swallowtail ! The Serenata was very considerably curtailed last night, the part of Damon being omitted altogether. The overture was played by the band, with a moderate diminution of speed from the time marked (presto) ; and the opening chorus was also taken somewhat slower than ( usual. Mrs. Mitchell (Galatea) pleased us exceedingly by her skilful rendering of the airs, " Hush, ye Pretty Warbling Choir," and "As when the Dove," but the band accompaniment in each was too loud. Acis was hardly at home in his part, and did not throw that expression and energy into his v oice which at other times he is so successful in giving. ■ This was more noticeable in the recitatives and the air, "Love Sounds the Alarm." His other song. "Love in Her Eyes sits Playing," was better, although somewhat tame. The gentleman who took the part of Polyphemus sang carefully throughout. His opening recitative wanted more vigour, but the succeeding air, "O ruddier than the Cherry," was very fairly sung. This air, which extends over two octaves of the voice, is extremely difficult to render, with a distinct articulation of the words, and Mr. Brett's chief defect as a singer lies in that direction. But we must highly commend his declamatory part in the trio, "The Flocks Shall Leave the Mountain," which was given with fire and animation ; and the excellent singing of Mrs Mitchell and Mr Harker in this trio combined to mark it as the gem of the cantata. Most of the choruses were fairly performed, notwithstanding an undue preponderance of bass over tenor. The best were the choruses—"Wretched Lovers" and "Mourn All Ye Muses." In the latter the pianos w»re nicely marked. Mrs Mitchell deserves mention for her graceful rendering of the recitatives; and the band, although small, was efficient and complete.. The second part opened with the.popular overture, "(**? Mannering," which was enthusiastically received by the an-^no". .Next came the familiar and' beau.uuji 6 ong — " Strangers

Yet," sung by Miss Vaughan, a young lady possessing a pleasing mezzo-soprano voice of good compass, and capable of considerable development. She sang it, moreover, • with expression, but the song, which was substituted in response to an encore, was not so succesful. After the band had played a set of operatic waltzes (that set one's feet agoing), we had a beautiful duet, sweetly sung by two ladies, and then a song, "The Careless Word," from Miss Leaf, which was well rendered, notwithstanding she was suffering from a cold. Sir George Elvey's inarch was on the programme, but was not played, and the audience were thus deprived of a great treat. We were.glad to see Mr Brown in his place as conductor, and Colonel Balneavis back again as leader of the orchestra.

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