"THE CREATION."

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1818, 2 August 1913, Page 4

"THE CREATION."

ROYAL CHORAL SOCIETY'S CONCERT

i It is not so long since "Papa" Haydn's tine oratorio "The Creation" was sung in Wellington, but it is a long timo since it was pej'lormod so well as it was by tlio Koyal choral .Houiely before a crowded audience at the '1 .'own DyJl lust evening, the occasion was a notable 011 c, in that it served to introduce to New Zealand Madame Mary Conly, one of the few cultured Eiiglis-h soprano singers in oratorio, and, of more local consequence, proved beyond all doubt that tlio .society has been lortunate in its new conductor, Mr. Christian HellemaniL (formerly of Sydney). "The Creation," old-fashioned in tlio best sense of the term, is a work that uillahyays live because of the profound sublimity of its theme, and tlio roaring dignity with which it i s treated. In tlio fight ot twentieth century composition, its extreme simplicity and gentle colouring may appear to some thin and unintcrestmg in places, but there is no deny,l '? arl ' es f , ' , p majesty of tlio choruses and ills mellifluous chnrm of Haydn's me odics. lake, for example, the orches- ,,, i '!!' chl / ]<? > depicting chaos, and comll'w s . lo, 'S: (i l l ' aw n sweetness with tlio treatment winch would bo accorded such n,, 3 } !f°A by an -k'Ear or liichard Strauss, - id it at onco becomes significant to tlio observant the remarkable change that has taken place 111 the broader outlook on composition. Against all the strange incongruities of tlio modern school of "intense orchestration" and the strained offort to eliminate melody, the abiding beauties of such works as "The Creation" urc proof. Ihe new idea in music mu«t always interest, but the works of mieh oniinent and inspired composers as Haydn Beethoven, and Bach aro Tiruc'a cherished heritage. TJIO Royal Choral Society is to bo congratulated on tlio performance of last evening. There was 110 falling off in its splendid ensemble work, and each individiinl member of tlio chorus appeared to respond with enthusiasm to tlio call of Hie new conductor, Mr. Hellemanii, who has a clear dominating style, and an alert and eloquent beat. Tho chorua was well-balanced and fresh-toned throughout, and in their two chief efforts, 'The Heavens Aro Telling" and "Achieved is tlio Glorious i AVork," were impressively alive and weighty. Tho attack wag clean and vigorous, and tho sound body satisfying. Tho orchestra, too, was surprisingly good. Owing to prevailing conditions, it is not possible to get tho best of instrumentalists always, and this has militated considerably against orchestral work in oratorio for some timo past, but Mr. HoUemnnn appears to liavo had an awakening efl'ect, for last evening's orchestra did really we'd. If there were weaknesses, there were 110 egregious faults, and in some of the accompaniments there was a deal of delicacy and reserve that was pleasing to note. Once again the society wns fortunate in its The enterprise shown in the engagement of Madamo' C'only was more than justified. In this singer wo have an artist of rare culture, happy in the possession of a rich soprano of golden Attributes. It is remarkably elastic over a great range, positively sunny in musical quality aud full-toned throughout tho registers. Her singing is kaleidoscopic in its colouring, and graced with a perfectly natural production, and faultless enunciation. The quality of her art was quickly established in the air "Tho Marvellous AA'ork Behold," but it was in tho familiar kolo "In \ ; erduro Clad" and tho aria "011 Mighty Pens" that she mounted to artistic heights, and was accorded an ovation. During tho evening Madamo received a handsomo bouquet of wattle forwarded by admiring Australians in AA'ellington..

Mr. .Tolin Prouse was in excellent form, and sang Raphael probably as well a.s it has ever lioen sung in Wellington. Ho was ndmirablo in tho recitatives, and in , tho nrins "Rolling in Foaming Billows" "Straight Opening Her Fertile Womb," and "Now Heaven, in Fullest Glory Shone," his resonant baritone was used with n.rlistic fervour and abandon. Tho tenor role (Uriel),.,was Sydney Butler (of Wangariui), who was rather colourless in his recitatives, but was always reliable. His singing of "111 Native Worth" was surprisingly good, and Ira thoroughly deserved the liberal applause that followed. Tho trios, by the principals, were a pleasing feature of this very excellent performance. Among those present were his Excellenoy tho Governor and Lady Liverpool.