CHORAL SOCIETY'S CONCERT.

Evening Star, Issue 3180, 30 April 1873, Page 2

CHORAL SOCIETY'S CONCERT.

The Choral Society gave their fourth concert, at the University Hall, last evening, and as the first part consisted of selections from Costa’s “ Eli,” the desire to hear them attracted a very large audience. Since the last concert some alterations have been made in the arrangements of the Society. Mr West, who was indefatigable as a conductor, has retired in favor of Mr Towscy, and, with thp exception of accompanying the soloists, Mr Sykes jp pianist. Whether it ia owing to lengthened'' itykdfice of tc these changes we do not pretend to aay, buVwe eejrtaiuly have never previously hoard choruses so artistically jrepdered by the Society, There was an absence of that boisterousness that we have occasionally noticed, apd an attention to the correct time apd expression of the different pieces that produced an effect, we think we may fairly say, never before attained, This was aided by a much more powerful orchestra than usual, which included some of the highest professional talent in toe Colonies 5 M. Fleury giving bis aid as leader, and Mr Martin, and, as we have before said, Mr Sykes, assisting on their respective instruments. In the first part of the solos, the basses by Messrs Campbell and Lewis were decidedly the best given, although Miss Thompson sang the recitative “ Unto Thee, 0 Lord,” and the prayer “ Turn Thee unto me,” with very correct intonation and expression, The chorale “How Mighty is Thy name” was very beautifully rendered, but the weak point, the few contraltos, was brought out more conspicuously when the support of the instruments was withdrawn. The chorus “Hold not Thy peace” was a fine effort, and brought the first part to a close. The second patt opwith Haydn’s symphony No. 2. lt r 'welF 'pjlnved, but is not one we should have ' chWen. r, "'JCheiQ £re many of his symphonies that' have * beauty «l ipdodies running through them, in Which We think this is eomoivhat' deficient, although the iffryo movement tjjaJ; iyas htyyed ;in‘tho after part of the evening is’ very sweet apd flowing. As for the rest of the composition, it abounds in cunning harmonies more pleasant to play than to listen to, even when as well performed as they were last evening. The gems of this part were “IIBacio,” by Miss Sinclair, her encore song, still more effective, “ Kathleen Mavourncen,” sung with exquisite taste and expression ; and Miss Grant’s “ To the Woods,” a somewhat difficult song, owing to the peculiar character of the accompanira*nt, which occasionally steals the melody from the singer and expects her to sing an accompaniment to it. It was well given. The chief instrumental attraction was a pianoforte and violin duet by Mr A, J. Towsey and M. Fleury. Never since M. Fleury left Dunedin has the™ been an opportunity of listening 'to“a duet so wpll played by both performers', but iu our opinion it was ex-, celled by the andunte from Beethoven’s ; pianoforte and violin duets, which was given in reply to an enemo. Wp should be glad, < for the sake of the cultivation of music in Dunedin, if M. Fleury could bo induced to remain amongst us. We believe some effort is making in that direction, and we shall be glad if it succeeds. The concerted pieces in the second part were fairly sung, but a little more practice in them would be an advantage. --