THE CHORAL SOCIETY

Evening Star, Issue 23373, 16 September 1939, Page 21

THE CHORAL SOCIETY

NEXT WEEK'S PERFORMANCE

A piece of music that can truthfully he said to have a message for these dark days through which we are passing is Mozart’s great ‘ Requiem Mass. This work is to be featured as the main presentation in the concert which the Dunedin Choral Society will give in the Town Hall Concert Chamber on Tuesday night next. September 19. This is a composition of which the words can comfort and the music inspire, at a time when much other music would seem unsatisfying. Mr Alfred Walmsley, the choral society s conductor, is a true Mozart enthusiast, and is pleased to be presenting the Mozart ‘ Requiem Mass ’ once more to a Dunedin audience. A particularly strong quartet of soloists has been engaged, consisting of Miss Doris Wilson, soprano. Miss Alison Tyrie, contralto. Mr Cecil Wallis, tenor, and Mr Russell Laurenson, baritone. Mozart’s orchestration is of great interest, and the accompaniment to the Mass will be played by ah orchestra composed, as nearly as possible, to the scale of the composer’s scoring. The supporting programme contains two compositions by Dunedin musicians —Miss Mary Martin’s anthem, ‘ Lacking Samite and Sable,’ and f the delightful ‘ Shepherdess,’ composed by Professor V. E. Galway. Both these numbers are inscribed to the Choral Society. In addition, the choir will sing three most enjoyable choruses from Handel’s operas (specially arranged by Sir Henry J. Wood), as well as a couple of folk songs. A special item will be given by Mr Russell Laurenson, the baritone soloist, who will sing the great aria, ‘ Eri tu,’ by Verdi. The Castalian Singers, a ladies’ double trio, are sure of a welcome from the society’s patrons. Their number will be Arthur Somervell’s ‘ Windflowers.’ Booking arrangement and other particulars of what promises to be a most interesting and successful concert will be found in our advertising columns.