WELLINGTON LIEDERTAFEL.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1763, 30 May 1913, Page 6

WELLINGTON LIEDERTAFEL.

» FIRST CONCERT OF THE SEASON. The Wellington Liedertafel gavio its first concert of the season at the Concert Chamber last evening, and iu certain respects it was a more enjoyable effort than 'lias bejn the case with this society {or some time past. This was shown in tho commendable spirit in. which most of tho numbers were approached, and the zest and heart that were infused into' 601110 ol' the aiewci; jlirt 'song's and chorales. A notable number was the cantata, "The Lungbcard's Saga,", the words of which occur in Charles Kingsley's "Hypatia," and tho music for which was composed by Mr. C, Harford Lloyd. This is au ideal number for a Liedertafel, and with tho addition of a few more reliable tenors (the old, old want) and diligent rehearsal, tho "Saga" would bo a most valuable addition to tho repertoire. It rehearses the story of tho Winil women, who, after their men had marched forth to fight the all-powerful "Wendels, were advised b.V Freya (the goddess of hope and joy) to garb themselves as men and turn their hair into beards, and in' this guise to go forth at dawn (o greet Odin (who promised glory to those who greet him first). And forth tliey go in malo attire, and greet tho mighty god, who, for their resource and cunning, gives victory to their arms. Tho cantata lends itself to bright, forceful treatment, and has many meaningful transitions, which were not made the most of on all occasions, as, for example, tho beautiful passage for tenors descriptive of the coming of Freya, "Out of the morning land," and later iho vocal dialoguo between tha goddess and Gambara. The chorus excelled itself in the robust passages, thnnlcs to (he serviceable lot of basses and baritones of good quality that the Lied'jrtafel possesses. For tho samo reason. Coleridge Taylor's "Viking Song," n ringing, rugged anvil chorus, descriptive of "the smithy by tho dark North Sea," was tho best siing part song cf tho evening. This number revealed tho unsuspected versatility of the late lamented composer, the music being entirely distinct from the placid melodies of "Hiawatha" and "A Tale of Old Janan." Other part songs wero- "Reveries'' (Storcli), "Calm is the Lnko" (Abt), "In This tile Hour of Softened Splendour" (I'insuti), and "Street Music" (Clarke). The latter is a broadly comic chorus, but the humour was not developed to any extent bv tho Liedertafel. Tho soloists included Miss Teresa, M'h'nroe, a cultured and mnsicianlv soprano, who sang Bevignani's pretty song, "Hush, Little One," charmingly. Her vocal elasticity and charm vore also attractively exhibited in Liza Lehmann's "bird" song, "Tho Wren." In response to an imperative rccall, she sang "Believe me if all those Endearing Young Charms," with delicato expressiveness. Miss .lean Mathicson, a violin .student, was heard in Hubay's "Scenes do la Csardn." which was fnirlv well flayed for a l>egiiincr. nubay's music is instinct with fine sense of rhythm, and requires oxcepScnal temperamental resources fo portray the fiery Slavonic character, for which reasons (lie selection was somewhat ill-chosen. Miss Mnthieson has confidence. and a big tone, and should dn well later on. Mr. W. H. Warren missed tho humorous spirit of "Reuben Ranzo." nnd it was with difficulty that tho words were' hoard. Mr. J. AY. Gard sang "Ivililoran." The accompaniments wero excellently played by Mr. 1). A,. Kenny, and Mr. Robert I'arker comliietc'd.