THE CHORAL SOCIETY’S ORATORIO.

Evening Star, Issue 3601, 7 September 1874, Page 2

THE CHORAL SOCIETY’S ORATORIO.

On Saturday evening the L’uned n Choral hoc.ehy gave their first concert fur the season at the University Hall. As usual the room was it conveniently crowded, eat room wm not obtainable : many persons were obliged to stand the whole time, and the imperfect ventilation was painfully felt by several who, unable to sustain the suffocating heat, were obliged to leave the hall ; while others who endeavored to avoid sickness or headache by standing in the entrance hall, weresubj cte'd to a draught calculated to induce cold or rheumatism. It is much to be regretted that the Society cannot see the way to give their excellent concerts in one of the theatres; for, as it is now necessary to restrict admission to subscribers, one half the value of its efforts as an educational institute, are lost. We have heard objections made to such an arrangement, on theological as well as social grounds, but we can hardly imagine that anyone gifted with reason can entertain so idle a superstition regarding the place where a conceit is held ; and, as three times the number could be comfortably seated that now endure discomfort for the sake of the treat afforded, we commend the suggestion to the consideration of the committee. For the first time in Dunedin, Sir M. Costa’s oratorio of “ Maaman ’' was given. Its name scarcely indicates the character of the composition, which really describes in my leading incidents in the striking an i romantic history of the prophet Elisha, ihe instrumental introduction is short and simple, but striking. Costa has dispensed with those long symphonies that were once thought necessary. The scene is thus brought vividly before the mind by the words of the recitative, commencing “ i bus saith Elijah then fol ow his words addressed to the song of the prophets. The part of Elisha is written for a bass voice, and was allotted to Mr Lewis, who through* out sang the music strictly aud iu gotfd tastfe,

It is fortunate for the Society that ia Miss Jago they secured a contralto voice that, with careful training, it would be difficult to surpass ; and in Mias Dick they had the services of a lady who combines with an excellent soprano voice, cultivated musical talent. Miss Marshall, too, gave efficient assistance. As an old favorite we need say nothing in commendation of her effort. Mr E. Towsey took the leading tenor parts, and was well relieved by Mr Thompson Each leading part was on Saturday night admirably sustained, although it is seldom that amateurs are found equal to the long continued exertions they bad to undergo. We prefer referring to the principal features in Saturday evening’s performance to entering into a minute analysis of the merits of each solo or concerted piece Hirst, w;th regard to the orat'irio as a composition. Examined critically, we consider it one of the finest efforts of modern days. Its harmonies are full, smooth, and void of affectation. The melodics,' duets, trios, quartettes are sweet and flowing, rising occasionally into grandeur, or breathing pathos. 'there is no attempt it instrumental imitation of warbling birds or howling storms; such puerilities are discarded, and tbs accompaniments are written to give effective support"to thev ice, but not to vie wbh the vocali-ts so <'i' l to divide attention with them. The instrumental parts, too. have the advantage of adaptation to modern instruments, and it ia to be regretted that in that respect the society is so weak. The insl rumen fcati under Mr Little’s leadciship, was good, but the baud is few in number, and tho instruments are not sufficiently varied, although the hand was assisted by the splendid playing of Mr Martin and Mr Meads, The solos, without exception, were well sung, Mr E. Towsey never appeared to greater advantage than in “What! meaoeth be to mock at me?” He appeared to be suffering severely from cold, and consequently bad nt power equal to some of the passages requiring energetic expression Many times, notwithstanding the wholesome rule against encores in earned music, there was an evident inclination to recall each soloist, and once in the quartette “ Honor ami Glory, Almighty, be thine,” the rule was broken th ough, and Misses Dick and Jago and Messrs Towsey and Lewis, who took part in it, obligingly repeated it. The choruses were, on the whole, very accurately and generally beautifully rendered. There were, however, two or three curious instances of ehakinesa, which point to the attention necessary .to even the ea iast passages. One, to soma extent, modern feature in Costa’s work is the frequency with which choruses in unison are introduced.' It'w mid he imagined that there would be little difficulty in getting through them without danger of a fault; yet, strange to say, while choruses abounding in difficult modulation were given with perfect precision and in admirable taste, ; hose ia unison were not always correctly rendered. There was not much to complain of, but the unisons suffered by the contrast. The difficult ones had been thoroughly mastered ; the easy ones had not been thought worthy of equal practice. Mr A. Tow.-ey must have fe t gratified wiih the great advance made bv the Society in the practice of music. To his able con•suiting much of ‘Saturday’s success is due. Miss Muir throughout the evening remained at the piano, and gave effective support to c>tie band.