“ATHALIE."

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 512, 8 September 1902, Page 3

“ATHALIE."

(To Hie Editor of the Times.) Sir, —The apathy displayed by the vocalists of Gisborne really seems deplorable, as instance the miserable attendance at the first rehearsal of “ Athalie ” set down for last Thursday evening. I guarantee to say that Gisborne stands miserably alone in the absolute lethargy of its vocal inhabitants, and I venture to say that there is hardly another town in New Zealand half the size of Gisborne that has not got its choral, or some vocal society. Now, here was an easy and delightful work of Mendelssohn’s ready for rehearsal with any number of vocal scores available, the only condition being that each vocalist was to purchase a copy at the cost price of is 3d, which, of course, became the property of the purchaser. Again, I believe, no membership fees were to be exacted, in fact, there was to be no obstacle likely to preclude any one from joining. Evidently this was no inducement, and the result is the appearance of the advertisement saying that the thing is abandoned, and the opportunity of working up an interesting work is lost. To save the degrading (musically) position, I think that if a sufficient number of vocalists signified their desire to take the matter up in real interest, Mr Palairet might be induced to reinstate the piece, and I am sure will carry it to a successful issue, if vocalists will rally round him. — 1 am, etc., Instrumental.