THE CHORAL SOCIEY.

Evening Star, Issue 3817, 19 May 1875, Page 3

THE CHORAL SOCIEY.

To the Editor. Sib,—The letter of your correspondent Music is a gem on its way, and must have afforded considerable amusement to those of your readers interested in the subject it discussed. I was so appalled at the wholesale onslaught made on correspondents, critics, and others that I took the trouble to cut up and compare the critiques of the ‘ Times,’ Star ‘Guardian’ and ‘ Tablet.’ The notices in the Stah and Times * bo nearly correspond that one might imagine they were written by the same individual I look upon them as very fair notices of the concert, and fail to see any reference to “the solo of Mr Blank ”(a paid professional), or “Miss Somebodyelse being unhappy in her efforts.” I think “Music 5 ’ must have been in a singularly unhappy frame of mind when he penned such an effusion. Jhe notice in the ‘ Guardian ’ is no doubt more after “ Music’s ” style- 1 * everything splendidly rendered, everybody in good voice ouite a treat to the audience ” (many of them didnt see it however), and so on ad libitum. But cntlc l u « oi the ‘Tablet’! Has , .Music seen it ? If not, let me recommend him to peruse it. ■» The fact is, both the Stab and ‘ Times ’ dealt very leniently indeed with the performance of Mantana, and kindly passed over many glaring exhibitions which might properly have been noticed. If the Society objects to fair and impartial criticism, the Press tickets should be withheld. “Music” writes of the Society being in a prosperous condition. It may be financially, but certainly not otherwise, and this is pretty generally admitted. At one time it included some very good vocal and instrumental members in its ranks, but at the last two or three concerts they have been conspicuous by their absence. If the Society is so excellently managed, how is it that many of its best performing members have seceded ?

There is no disguising the fact—and all the writing of Music ”or anyone else will fail to iht so—that the Society never will be a success until the performing members are empowered to elect a committee in whom they can have confidence. . Th® Society may be propped up for a time, but !t wiU assuredly collapse, and that at no distant period.—l am, &c., Dunedin, May 19. e *-M«mbm.