A WELCOME ANNOUNCEMENT.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1618, 9 December 1912, Page 6

A WELCOME ANNOUNCEMENT.

MADAME KIRKBY LUNN IN THE "MESSIAH." . Those who have gained- such pleasure from the singing of Madame Kirkby Lunn in the three concerts she has riven, under the Tait management, in Wellington, ■will be delighted to learn that the Koyal Choral Society has concluded an arrangement with Messrs. J.- and N. Tait lor Madame Lunn to sing the contralto solos in the "Messiah" in the performance to be given in the Town Hall on Friday week, December 20. The society is paying the Messrs. Tait'the highest foe ever.paid an artist in oratorio in Now Zealand, and when it is stated that the total expenses of the performance will approximate the public will bo able to form on idea of the importance of this notable concert. Madame Kirkby Lunn is a famous exponent of the standard oratorio roles which come within the compass of her glorious voice, and no performance in which she has been concerned has ever failed to attract the public. It should indeed be a rare treat to hear the great contralto sing such solos as "He was Despised" and 'Tie 6hall Feed His Flock," of which she is tho finest English exponent. Apart from Madame Lunn, tho performance will be a remarkable one, as the quartet of soloists engaged will probably be tho finest over seen on tho one platform in the "Messiah" in Australasia. Madame Wieleart will be the soprano, Mr. Andrew Black the baritone, and Mr. Walter Whyte the tenor. It is now the intention to have the full orchestra instead of the grand organ only (as originally intended), and as tho ohorus is being especially augmented, for.' the. occasion, ..the performance on December 20 should be a red letter one in the musical history of the Dominion. This will be the one and only chance the puUio will have of hearing Madame Kirkby Lunn in oratorio in New Zealand. It is fully expected that the seating accommodation at tho Town Hall will be taxed to its utmost capacity. Every possible arrangement will be made to facilitate- the booking at the Dresden, where the box plan opens on Wednesday moral ing next (Dec, 11), at 9 o'clock. Seats ■mav bo reserved as follows:—Dress Circle and front stalls 55., stalls 45.; 3s. tickets will be on sale at the Dresden on Friday and Saturday. The chorus and orchestra for this concert will total'B2o.