CHORAL SOCIETY’S CONCERT.

Evening Star, Issue 3489, 29 April 1874, Page 2

CHORAL SOCIETY’S CONCERT.

Last evening, the University Hall was crowded, as is usually the case when the Choral Society gives a concert. The music selected was net what may bs considered popular. The first part was Haydn’s “ Spring,” a production proves so attractive as the "Om. tion,” although there is in it much that is original, both in conception and composition. There are but three leading characters—Simon, a farmer, whose part was allotted to Mr Lewis: Jane, his daughter, who had an excellent representative in Miss Dick; Lucas, a young rustic, Mr Thompson. The band of the Society m«nfy e S C iV Umber . aßd in variefc y of instruments, that the overture and accompaniments sounded thin, notwithstanding the fine playing of seme of the members. We need not minutely analyse the performance, but content ourselves with the general remark that the solos were well sung by Mias Dick, Mr Lewis, and Mr Thompson, and that the choruses went, on the whole, with precision, ’taste, and effect. The second part was Locke’s music for “ Macbeth.” wuch has more than once been given in Dunedin. In this Mr Lewis—who through the evening had to sustain the main portion of the work-sang even better than in the oratorio: and Mus Webb, whose style and management of her voice have much improved, gave very effective aid as the “ first witch.” in fact, she may be fairly said to have bewitched her audience with her clear, full, round tones. Although we do not think the concert the best given by the Society—which may be partly accounted tor through the unusually thin attendance of the performing members, both vocal and instrumental, m the choruses, especially, there were signs of progress and of thorough appreciation of the composers meaning. In consequence they were given With very sUght hitches,-which more thorough rehearsal would have prevented; We shall be glad to see the band increased in efficiency; for although aided by Messrs' Mart tin, Meares, and West, and by the brilliant piamstic efforts of Miss Tewslay, it was not equa! power to the requirements of the Sbciety. Mr A Towsey conducted, and to his ability much of the steadiness with which the poncerted pieces wept is attributable. ” - ■ - *