THE CHORAL SOCIETY.

Evening Star, Issue 3344, 7 November 1873, Page 2

THE CHORAL SOCIETY.

Last night, the Choral Society gave, in the University Hall, Balfe’s “ Bohemian Girl,” as the second concert of their year. The room was far too small for the numbers crowded into it; and could accommodation have been provided, hundreds more would have been glad to attend. On the next occasion we should recommend that the use of one of the theatres should be obtained, for. regarding the Society in the light of an educational institute, the cultivation of taste in music should be made as general as possible. Unless more room is secured in future, the number of honorary subscribers must necessarily bo limited to the present role, for it cannot be expected that additions can be made unless the privilege of attending concerts can be enjoyed. The propriety of securing the use of a theatre was suggested, but the question was put, “ Who will like to take their places in the pit, seeing that subscribers cannot bo accommodated with seats in the dress circle ?” We offer the following solution of the difficulty : let the seats in the pit be the chief seats in the house—-they are bettor than the floor of the University Hall — and let the circle be occupied only after the pit and stalls arc filled. There would then be room for the orchestra, comfoi't, and comparatively fresh air to breathe, and no necessity for gentlemen sitting on each other s knees, as was the ease last_ evening. The severest test of the merits of an opera is when it is stripped of its stage effects. In every operatic composition the music is adapted to scenery and action, and, therefore, it is much more easy to render an air or a chorus pleasing when ear. eye, and character unite to give effect to it. Denuded of these accessories far more is required of both instrumentalists and vocalists, especially those to whom tire solos are remitted. It must, therefore, be considered to have been a bold effort on the part of the Choral Society to give the music _of an opera in its entirety. The result justified their choice; for we have no hesitation in saying that the concert of last night was the most finished performance they have attempted. There was a steadiness in the choruses, and a better balancing of parts than has erer before been realised ; and because of the necessity for rehearsal, the solos, on the whole, were more artistically brought out. In fact, so far asthe choruses were concerned, they were given in a very superior style to anything attempted in any operatic performance in the Colonies. The weight of the solos fell upon Miss Marshall, Mr Lewis, Mr E. Towsey, Mr Lough nan, and Mr Thomson, who sang the parts of Arline, the (.fount, Thaddeus, Devilshoof, and Floresfcein. Misses Sinclair, Grant, and Thomson gave their aid very effectively in trios, murtetts, and quintette. Criticism is usually considered out of place where amateurs are concerned, and therefore we confine ourselves < to saying that even if ,we took the liberty of stating all that might be said, _ the most fastidious critic would give unqualified praise to the efforts of Miss Marshall, certainly in duets and concerted pieces, to Mr Lewis and Mr Towsey. Mr Loughnan was scarcely fairly situated, for we are informed that in consequence of a member declining to undertake the part of Devilshoof, he kindly consented to fill his place, only having been asked to do so this week. Under the circumstances, few would have got through it so well. The advantage of Mr Martin’s special arrangement for the available instrumentalists, was very evident last evening. The accompaniments were very beautiful, and adapted to the hand. We trust that before long a full complement of brass and wind instruments will be added to the stringed band, and that the latter will be strengthened. The Society were fortunate in securing the help of M. Flcury, who played magnificently with Mr Tuttle; and Mr Martin also assisted the few wind instrumentalists, and Mr West the stringed baud with the double bass. The second violin, tenor, and violincello, would bear additions to their numbers. To Miss Muir was allotted the piano, which she played with great taste. Mr A. J. Towsey conducted, and to his steadiness and judgment much of the success of the concert mnsfc.be attributed. We may be excused suggesting that the fatigue of going through the solos in an opera is more than most amateurs are equal to, and we think it would bo advantageous to divide the parts. Miss Sinclair, for instance, whose singing is always pleasing, having a subordinate part, had only one solo allotted to her. Human voices will not wear like human fingers, although ire guarantee the instrumentalists found the work heavy in’that hot, close, unventilated hall.