APOLLO SINGERS

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 36, 11 August 1936, Page 4

APOLLO SINGERS

WITH ST. PATRICK'S COLLEGE ORCHESTRA

■ A happy combination "was achieved last night when the Apollo Singers, on the occasion of their twentieth concert, combined forces with the orchestra of St. Patrick's College, Silver-i stream. The former, conducted by Mr. H. Temple White, and the latter, an organisation consisting of twenty-three players, by Father C. V. Feehly, provided between them a concert which thoroughly satisfied those .who prac- [ tically. filled the Concert Chamber of the Town Hall. The Apollo Singers, aided by thfe orchestra, made several excursions into the realm of grand opera, and these v choruses were amongst the most successful items on the programme. They included the "Anvil Chorus," from Verdi's "II Trovatore," "Sailors' Chorus," from Wagner's "Flying Dutchman" (in which the choir was reinforced by the boys' voices), "Pilgrims' Chorus," from "Tannhauser," ■ and, as a. concluding item, the "Soldiers' Chorus" from Gounod's "Faust." Each was sung and played with: the requisite vigour and taste and met with rounds of applause. A couple of negro songs with chorus were also very popular items. These were "Ma Mississippi Home" (F. G. Smith) and "Were You There?" (Granville Bantock). In the former, which has a delightful humming accompaniment, Mr. T. Watson took the baritone solo part, and in* the latter Mr. H. A. Pargetter. Choice part songs wherein the choir displayed their marked ability for harmony and expression were "In This Hour of Softened Splendour" (Ciro Pinsuiti), "Song of the Pedlar" (C. Lee Williams), the madrigal, "Now is the Month of Maying" (Thomas Morley). and the always popular "p Peaceful Night" (Edward German). "The Anvil," by Adolphe Adam, was another item which was very pleasingly sung. Grieg's "Ballad of Olav Trygvason" was given a spirited rendering, Mr. R. R. Orr taking the baritone solo part. . - , The orchestra, in addition to providing the accompaniments for the choruses, played Elgar's "Pomp and Circumstance March in D" ("Land of Hope and Glory") very successfully, considering their youth, and were called upon to respond with an encore. They were also warmly applauded for their playing of "Three Dances from, Ballet Music" (Gounod's '"Faust"), these items being well within their compass. It was distinctly pleasing to find the boys such able orchestral players. Two soloists assisted the choir. Mr. J. M. Caldwell, who has a pleasing bass voice, sang "Onaway, Awake, Beloved!" (Cowen) with. vigour, and "Money O" (Michael Head) as an encore. Mr. P. Martin, a tenor, contributed Tosti's "My Dreams" and also received, a recall. Mrs. R. G. Caigou was the piano accompanist.