A SPLENDID CONCERT

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 206, 26 May 1921, Page 6

A SPLENDID CONCERT

MALE VOICE CHOIR SEASON OPENS.

The performance given in the Town Hall Concert Chamber last evening by tho Commercial Travellers’ Mate Voice Choir augurs well for the success of the season, Last night’s concert being the first on tho winter programme. Under the 'baton of Mr. 11. Temple White, the choir presented excellent numbers, with a finish and skill that one does not generally expect for the season’s commencement. The programme was happily chosen. “The Bacchanalian Chorus” (Elliott); from Sheridan’s “Duenna,” a striking part song, opened the concert, pnd gave the choir an opportunity to display its capabilities. The beautiful Schubert part song,, "Love in Absence," "I think of thee when morning Her golden gate unbars . . .

was well treated, and its harmonies captivated the audience. Two songs by Elgar, "Feasting, I Watch," and "It’s Oh 1 To be a Wild Wind,” were new to a Wellington audience, and the second song, which was re-sung in answer to vociferous applause, was particularly pretty—and also particularly “Elgar” in his most tuneful and original mood — quite overshadowing tho first of the bracket. The three outstanding works of the evening were from "Songs of the Sea” (Stanford, 1852). which possess unusual qualities, and tend themselves enMrcfy to choir singing. Not the most tuneful, but certainly tho most unusual, was “Drake’s Drum.” The arrangement presented is not tho ballad arrangement known te most vocalists, and is not so "catchy.” It has a peculiar bass acc6mpaniment on the piano, and in. solo (sung last night by Mr. F. W. Allwright) that is chanty-like, and smacks of the sea. The choir enter unexpectedly in an eerie chorus, and the conclusion is effective. More harmonious and sweet was “Out ward Bound,” a song of quite adifferent oalibre, which was sung by Mr. F. W Laycock and choir: and the final song of the trio was “The Old Superb a rollicking melody, with the call of the sea in everv bar. Tn Button’s arrangement of “Annie Laurie” the choir was not at its happiest. The tenors sang too loudly and were apt to strain at the top B, which otherwise would have been effecMiss Stella M'Lean (Auckland) had been announced to sing, but owing to indisposition was unable to 'appear so her place was filled by Miss Mabelle Esquilant, a local contralto. It’s an ill wind that blows nobody good, for Miss Esquilant created great enthusiasm, and was recalled four times for each of her numbers. She possesses a magnificently non contralto voice, with a range that is truly remarkable. Most beautiful was her rendering of Wilfred Sandersons “Harbour Night,” a dramatic piece, redolent with atmosphere, that the audience is made to feel. Her other song., (including "Dawn” (Loom), beloved of Wellington audiences since Amy Evans sang it), were "Down tho Shallow River (Conyngs'by-Clarke) ; "When Song is Sweet” (Sans Souci); "Four-leaved Clover” (Willoughby); '2 nter ISo \ song-poem by Alexander ,™y e %££ "The Way Home Liddell). leno solos were sung, by Mr Frank Williams, a member of the choir, who pa. sesses a sweet, though small voice. De spite obvious nervousness he sang quite Xll "Wind of the Western Sea” (Noel Johnson): "I Know a lively Garden (Guy d’Hardolot); and Oh, Peaceiul Melody Four (Messrs. E. W. Lewis, E. V. Blandford, R. S. Allwright and F W Laycock) were heard in pretty quartet, one of their best being “Songr of Partin’,” inn adaptation of an old German foik song. Mr. R C. Hollow was an excellent accompanist.