THE CHORAL SOCIETY.

Auckland Star, Volume VI, Issue 1693, 22 July 1875, Page 4

THE CHORAL SOCIETY.

The < Auckland Choral Society has suddenly regained life and energy most mysteriously. A few months ago people were asking if the Society was going to collapse, the lethargy of the members had become so noticeable. Now, they seem all as busy as bees ; the practices are well attended : several great works are in process of preparation, and altogether there is an evident determination on the part of the committee to make up for lcab time. On Tuesday evening the practice was in every way worthy of no'dce. Over a hundred vocalists were present, whi'e 'he band was in capital force and fettle. Mr Brown, cheered by the eight of such a revival of old times, con- ' ducted with even more than his usual spLi-, and the consequence wss that singer?, instrumentalists, and leader were carried away by their subject, and gave those who happened to be listening a treat such as is rarely ' afforded in Auckland. It is by such practices as these that true excellence in rendering great and difficult works is attained and it is therefore with no small confidence that ■we look forwa-d to the concert of Tuesday next bercg a triumphal success. "The Crimson Scirf," an operetta of a lively and interesting character, is the piece de resistance of the evening. It will be given with the accessories of appropriate dresses and scenery, and as a spectacle as well as a musical performance should prove very attractive. On August the 10th, Sphor's " Last Judgment" is to be performed, and ■will be followed ty an "At Hume." We would call our readers' attention io the fact that the society guarantees its subsCriberr at least six conceits in the searon -As yet it has only given oue, so that tLere are at any rate five more to come. A member's ticket admits to all these, and it is therefore well worth any one's while to incur the smill expenditure necessary to securing a piss for themselves and friends. It may ba mentioned that the libretto of Tuesday's performance can be purchased for Gel at Upton's. The following is the story of the " Crimson Scarf :"— The scene is laid in Venice during the declining days of that Republic. The chief characters are Cornarino, a member of the Venetian Council of Ten and Procurator of the Council of Three, his son Ernesto, and his steward Marco; Sassafrasso, a Venetian gentleman and a diligent student of Seneca, Bianca, his daughter, and Tessa, her maid. Ernesto, who ought to be at his studies in Padua instead of making love in Venice, becomes enamoured of Bianca, and Marco of her maid, and they carry on their amour together. A letter v written to Bianca appointing her crimson scarf hung outside the window as a signal indicating to the waiting lovers that Sassafrasso is out of the way, and that they may pay a visit. This letter Bianca accidentally loses, and it is picked up by her father, who being in dread of the terrible Council, and reading in the note the mysterious instructions "when the moment has come give the signal for our secret meeting by hanging at the window on the lagune a crimson scarf; ere long we shall be free and happy," concludes that it refers to some dreadful conspiracy against the State, and in order to clear himself drops the missive into the "Lion's mouth," a public receptacle for all information relating to political crimes. Thus it falls into the hands ofCornarino. Meanwhile the crimson scarf signal has been given effect to, and the young lovers have held a pleasant tete-a-tete, which is brought to a close by the return of Sassafrasso in a dejected state of mind, caused by the mysterious letter. The distracted parent finds a guitar and poem left by the lovers in their hurried flight, and on questioning his daughter and her maid he becomes convinced that they are concerned in the conspiracy referred to in the letter, and orders Tessa from thehouse. While this has been proceeding Cornarino, after obtaining possession ofthe letter from the "Lion's mouth," determines to unravel the mystery, and soon gains a clue by seeing the scarf hung outside Sassafrasso's house. He enters and startles the poor gentleman by disclosing his name and business, and leaves him with the belief that all is over with him. Bianca and Tessa come in to say farewell, and casually inform Sassafrasso that Cornarino (meaning the younger) is Bianca's lover. At this Sassafrasso brightens up, considering the singular conduct of his recent visitor explained, and declares his readiness to consent to their union. The remainder of the plot hinges upon the mistake made by Sassafrasso in regarding Cornarino, the Procurator, instead of his son, as the lover of Bianca. Sassa-frasso is afterwards led to believe that he is the victim of a plot, and determines on flight; his daughter and her maid have prepared to elope the same night; and Cornarino, bent 'on unravelling the great State conspiracy to which he believes he has discovered a clue, proceeds to Sassafrasso's . house by night, when all meet unexpectedly. Mutual explanations ensue; Cornarino gives his consent to the consummation of the lovers' wishes, and, as with all true love stories, the romance ends where the priest begins. The songs introduced are " My Love she is Youthful," the response by Ernesto to the appointed signal; "Venice for the Offender," by Cornarino oe accusing Sassafrasso of conspiracy ; trio, " Signor, since you wish me ;" "Magic of Music ;" love song, " One April Night," by Bianca; Venetian air, "Beppo is Young and Gay," by Tessa; "On the Breeze of Evening ;" quartette, " What a Strange Decision;" "The Two Wallets ;" "Open the Lattice;" arietta, "Bless You! Bless You !" by Ernesto ; concerted piece, "Friendly Night;" and finale, " Truly the Poets Tell."