"THE MESSIAH"

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 75, 22 December 1920, Page 9

"THE MESSIAH"

BY THE WELLINGTON CHORAL UNION'. Wellington has had the pleasure_of hearing some notable "Messiahs" during the past, decade, notably .those in which Madame Itirkby Lunn and Mr. Peter Dawson were concerned, but it is doubtful if Handel's mnstor ocatorio was over sung with such inspiration as was tho case a ( t the Town Hall last evening. The presence among the soloists of two such sound artists as Miss Amv Evans and Mr. .Fraser Gauge appfared to have the effect of Hiniiur no tho entire onsemble, with the result that the performance attained a fairly high level of excellence. There were, hero and there, weaknesses in attack both with orchestra and chorus, and the fornier 'was not always strictlv in tune with the organ, but. on the whole, it was one of the best all-round -erformances of recent .vears. .It was recrettablc ' that the musically beautiful bit very dimcult fogual chorus "Amen" was included, as it. showed traces of roceedness in a tired choir. Another inolusion, and perhaps not a. wise ojic, was "The Trumpet Shall Sound." There was an initial misunderstanding to begin w:th, nnd tlie solo which 'is set for a high baritone did not disnlay Mr. Gnnge's voice satisfactorily With these little blemishes out of the way, it is a pleasure to say that the solo work generally was sound, antl in the caso of Miss Amy Evans it is doubtful whether we have ever listened to such a rendition of the soprano musicHer approach to everv number was marked by a serene rcyercnco • and vholcsoulcd conviction iriiicli was immediately convoyed to. the audience. Added ro her puritv of tone and effortless production, iilifl interpreted tho music like an artist. Her simplicity and command of expression were very beautiful :n the recitative "AikT 10, the Angela of tlifi Lord, and tho narrative continues until the singer whispers in crystal tones with devotional awe; "A Saviour, which is Christ the Lord,"'an effect'which was. particularly Inllinor', In "Roioicc Urentlv." the tempo was cpiicker than usual, 1 and it found the orchestra rairied in accompaniment Miss Evans'9 itveatest triumph was in the air. "Come Unto Him," in which the singer revealed unknown beauties l n expression bv tho "combination of intellect with ii voico under perfect control. Again in "I know that ■mv Redeemer Liveth," Miss Evans song with rave exaltation of spirit, suggesting by tone and look a compUto obsession of the conviction implied in the lines. Jfr. Fraser Gange is an interpretative artist who gave fresh life and vigour to tho bass music. He has n percussive force that vivifies every word in'.'a masterful and magnetising way. Using accelerated tempos throughout, Mr. Gange declaimed tho numerous recitatives, beginning with "Thus Saith the Lord," with commandin" assertion, and took the "Rolinoi- s Fire" ot. a speed new to Wellington. Again, in the recitative ' For Behold. Darkness shall Cover tho Lartli, ho "painted ffic picture" with forceful fidelity, and "Tlie People, that Walked in Darkness" was welt sung. In YUij do the Nations," Mr. Gauge gave full play to his draninitc powers, and stirred the audience to enthusiasm. E '' cnTt, . ( ];„ ,'j® spurned the conventional by turning his back upon the audiL-nce, and singing the whole of tli... solo through to tho choir. It was a graceful act. As ■ previously noted. "The Trumpet shall Sound was not altogether satisfactory. >f>. vs. Jl. Bowman played the trumpet part well. Miss Mabelle- Esqmlant, who was entrusted with the contralto music, has been heard to 'better, advn itag • . H i fio ft tones were henrd to host ndvantage in "He shall Lend FTis and "!Ie was Despised. Mi.- uMnej Butler, a robust .tenor, from Auckland, wag creditably heard, on the vliole. A certain hufjlciness iti hw upper •vm noticeable throughout, the evening, but- his notes below that, were strong and well produced. He sang 'Comfort lc nml "Everv Valley very well, but v,as not ,entirely in "Thou shalt choral singing is always of " first importance, and the union assembled one nf the strongest combinations in it- hi - ?ory with the result tUt the great i. i wavn mcstlv admirably »uii£, notably* to God," "Trallelnjah.'; and "Worthy is the Lnnib. ■ • ■ EISA'S chestra.