ORATORIO.

Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2766, 29 December 1871, Page 2

ORATORIO.

Last evening, the Dunedin Choral Society gave the ora'orio of the “Messiah” at the University Hall. The attendance was good without the Hall being inconveniently crowded, and the members mustered in sufficient numbers in the orchestra to give effect to the choruses. The band, though linht, was so arranged as to concentrate its power, and very judiciously, considering the character of tiie music—a harmonium was substituted for the piano. Mr A. Towsey, as organist, gave very able support to the stringed Instruments which were led with great skill by Mr S, H. Little. It would be quite superfluous to say anything respecting the oratorio as a composition, yet none but musicians can fully understand the difficulties tint have to be overcome ip order to render it properly. So familiar are we with its harmonies and melodies, that wc are apt to imagine both singers and players have an egsy task, tphe real difficulties manifest themselves only when amateurs, with more than ordinary musical attainments, undertake it. With a knowledge of this fact before us, it is surprising how well tile oiator.o was got through last evening. With good judgment the Society avail.d themselves of Mr Amery’s assistance last night, who evinced a perfect knowledge of the music and sang the bass solus and recitatives with great ppwer and expression. I'rom the self-evi-dent circumstance that he could not have rehearsed with the bapd, the precision with which he was accompanied was peiparjcable. We scarcely can express any preference as to any of Mi Amery’s solos-perhaps the best sum' was the least appreciated, because of the melody not being so flowing, as “Why do the Nations.” No slight charm in Mr Amery’s singing is the absolute correctness with which every interval is taken. In this the advantage of careful training and practice are evident, and this is a marked feature in all professional over amateur performances. On Mr E. Towsey the chief weight of the tenor solos lay. For our own parts, -,-e always prefer that the opening recitative, “ Comfort ye,” should be assigned to a baritone. A light tono? ypice seems out of place when required to get 213 g herald. However, he managed well—in fact, we never heard him sing better, but should still prefer a slight sacrifice of sound to enunciation. Amongst the alto solos, Mrs West’s “Oh, thou that tellest,” and Miss Grant’s “He was despised” were the most artistically given. We understand the latter lady consented to sing that beautiful air at a very short notice, so that she was placed at great disadvantage. With slight exceptions, the choruses went exceedingly well; Ik ro apd there a little confusion occurred, but ccrjtaiply pot more than we have occasionally heard where epeh sjnger was supposed to be professional, Misi Web]} jp the short recitative, “ There were shepherds abiding,” acquitted herself well, and Mrs Ross sang the difficult air, “Rejoice greatly,” very brilliantly. Miss Sinclair’s “ I know that my Redeemer liveth,” lacked only confidence on her part. She seemed afraid to touch a note she is quite equal to sustaining, if she could believe it. She need not be afraid, her sweet voice will carry her through worse difficulties than that. Having said what we have to say in praise, we may be pardoned pointing out what might be improved. Music, like all imitative arts, is the better for contrasts, and, if we were to put the question to Mr West, the conductor of the Choral.Society, he would tell us his chief difficulty is to induce liia uhoir to sing softly. Anybody can bring out a loud note, but, strange as it may seem, very few can gradually increase or diminish tone ; and, perhaps, fewer still utter a pure soft spund. The consequence is that most people are too monotonous in their singing which thus becomes expressionless. Soloists, especially, should avoid this. No person can bear the exhaustion of being always at high pressure ; the voice loses its flexibility, and notes are never taken truly. This fault can only be cured by careful practice. There are plenty of good voices in the city, but they are only raw material, naturally sweet, and capable of great expression, but comparatively inefiective, because their owners either do not know know the value of proper training, or will not give the necessary attention to overcoming mere physical obstacles. We believe this oratorio has only been practiced during the ‘ past live pr six weeks. Mr

West, therefore, must be complemented on having done so much in so short a time; but if more time had been given, it might have gone better.