ROYAL CHORALSOCIETY.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1527, 24 August 1912, Page 6

ROYAL CHORALSOCIETY.

"THE REDEMPTION." . Tho genius of Charli* Gounod wm many coloured, but nowhere did it shine with greater inspirational splendour than in tho sphere of sacred music. Aa a composer of grand opera lie was 6Uperb, and no work is so frequently performed the world over as "Faust," which is perhaps the most popular grand opera known, to the present generation. It was however in s-acred music that he rose to majcslieal heights—a majesty all the more.sublime because of the simplicity of his scores—and his works are anions tho most vital of the immortals. Camilla writing of Gounod in a volume oiitillrd "Portraits and Souvenirs," eaid:—"Gounod did not cpn.?o to write all his life for the Church, bo accumlaU) masses and moltets; but it was at the commencement; of his career in the Messo do Saint Cccile,' and at the end, in The Redemption,' and 'Mors et \ ita, that he rose highest.!' Of all his sacred works none has equalled "Tho Redemption" iiv point of public favour, although Mors et Vita" is certainly its yqual if not its superior. It was a happy inspiration for tho Royal Choral Society to revive tho great work last evening at tho lown Hall, and the judgment of the society was endorsed by an audience that filled the bis hall n i most (o its (ullpst capacity. J. he performance was an excellent on? all round. Thanks to conslant drilling, Mr. J. Maughan Barnett has a _ chorus under his control which is capable . of doing splendid work. Their work is precise, and elonn-out, the pound boih is full and rich, the enunciation clear, and on observant eve is kept on the conductor's' oxpressivo left hand. *■ With a chorus so w } a . lland - Mr ' Barnett should how be able to get more character into their work -rwnicleihent which was so notable with the Shcfheld Choir. Last evening the chorus was magnificent in (ho chorale 'Lord Jesus, Thou to all Bringest Light i!" 1 ' Solvation," in tho uplifting chorus Unfold, Yc'Portals Everlasting," and ;lio thrilling finale "Tho AVord Is Flesh Bjcomo." "The Redemption" is wonderfully conceived. It is really n trilogy, with a prologue. The latter has for its subject tho creation of tho world, then follows "Calvary," a part veined with solemn recitatives, breathing a spirit of sublime reverence, and passages, namely at tho Crucifixion, graphically conveying the anguish of Mary and those attendant upon our Lord at tho last hour on Calvary. The second part covers the period from the resurrection to the ascension, in which the music partakes of tho brighter hues of the hope immortal, and finally comes "Tho Pentecost," in which the triumph over death is depicted by a blazo of rnajesticul music portentously inspiialioual. The ehor.il work is restricted early in the first part—where the holo narrators (bass and tenor) bear the vocal burden—but towards the end it has the beautiful choral "While Her Watch She is Keeping," the unaccompanied chorales, "Lord Jesus, Thou to all Bringest Light and Salvation," and "For Us the Christ is Made a Victim Availing." Again in tho second there is the "Saviour of Men" chorus of the "prophetic choir," declaimed floridly with the assistance of a sextet of trumpets, which gives it a fine oir of martial exultation, and the, pictorial chorus of mockery, "Now Behold Yβ tho Guard." Tho other big choral numbers which illumine tho latter section of tho work are mentioned above. Tho, oratorio imposes a great deal of.responsibility on the orchestra, which for its numbers played with musical delicacy and character. The orchestral prelude to "The Creation" (die prologue), commencing with a iiossamnr-liko shimmer of strings, and gradually working up in power to the point where life appears, wna a perfect picture in delicate iridescent tones. Tho society was fairly well equipped in soloists, jladamo AViclaert was wholly satisfactory in the, soprano role, staging the simple melodious music with case, , fluency, and understanding. Rer voice i 9 light and vibrant, and her enunciation was a delight. Her big solo, ."Over tho Barren AVnstes," was beautifully sung, as was also the tuneful solo, "From Thy Love." Mndamo AVielacrt has never sung' to better advantago in AVellington. Miss Doris Dall, who was entrusted with the contralto . music, wae not so pleasing. Her production is not good, and sho lacks vocal quality and colour. Miss Hash was more effective in the concerted music. As the tenor Narrator Mr. C. H. Stephens sang with culturo and rto littlo charm within the limits of his voice. Ho intoned tho numerous recitatives in a highly-intelligent manner, and only fell short where declaratory singing was called for. Mr. Court-' enay Moht (late of Melbourne) sang' the role of the baritone Narrator pleasingly. He has a voice of good quality, evea throughout- tho register, and sings with ease and fair expression. His work whs largely of the recitative order, and could have been marked by a' little mow spirit in places. 'J'ho other baritone part (Jesus) was in the hands of Mr. James Doherty, whoso performance, remarkably good ia places was somewhat uneven. Singers ore at times apt to use tho vibrato in excess to depict emotion; which is technically, and artistically a fallacy. In the passage,. "My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me. Mr. Doherty was completely astray in tune for Hie'reason mentioned above, yet when ho used tho solid voice later on in tho solo "Arise and Hear" lie was splendidly effective. Tho concerted music was only fairly successful on the whole, owing to 'an absence of vocal sympathy. '> Mr. Maughan Barnett conducted with his usual skill. Only on one occasion ((luring'one of Madame AVielaert's 6olos) did tho orchestra get slightly out of hand. Air. L. Logan made (in efficient leader, and Sir.'Horace Hunt presided at.the (small) organ. ,: Among tlioso present wore his l/xcellencv the Governor, who was attended Lv Captain Macdougall, A.D.C., and the liou. W. Fraser.