CHORAL SOCIETY

Evening Star, Issue 23375, 19 September 1939, Page 3

CHORAL SOCIETY

TQ-HIGHT'S CONCERT One of the most beautiful works in choral literature is to be presented once again in Dunedin at the Choral Society’s concert, to be held to-night in the Town Hall Concert Chamber. This is Mozart’s ‘ Requiem Mass,’ composed shortly before his death, and it is full of all the serenity and loveliness _ that characterise all his work. There is, in addition, an element of pathos and drama of the sort that creeps into the greatest of Mozart’s conceptions, such as, for example, the Symphony in G Minor. The Requiem Mass calls for four soloists, and the parts on this occasion will be sung by Misses Doris Wilson and Alison Tyrio (soprano and contralto respectively), Mr Cedric Wallis (tenor), and Mr Russell Laurenson (baritone). Mozart’s orchestra (clarinets, bassoon, trombone, trumpet, and strings) is a most interesting feature of the Mass, and Mr Alfred Walmsley, the conductor, is satisfied with the way in which both choir and orchestra have been working together for this concert.

Of special interest here are two part songs by well-known Dunedin musicians—Miss Mary Martin’s * Lasting Samite and Sable ’ and Professor V. E. Galway’s * The Shepherdess.’ Both of these works, which will be heard tonight, are inscribed to the Dunedin Choral Society. Three choruses out of Handel’s operas, arranged by Sir Henry J. Wood, will be a welcome inclusion in the programme, and there are also to he two folk songs. The Castalian Singers, a ladies’ double trio, will sing Arthur Somervell’s ‘ Windflowers,’ and Mr Russell Laurenson is to be heard in the famous Verdi aria, ‘ Eri_ tu.’ Miss Mavis Macdonald, tbe society’s fine pianist, will he in her usual place. The concert is timed to start to-night at 8 o’clock.