MUSICAL SOCIETY'S CONCERT.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2344, 7 October 1881, Page 3

MUSICAL SOCIETY'S CONCERT.

The Musical Society is to be congratulated on the success attending the public rehearsal of this, the grandest work of the great composer. No greater treat can be offered by any society than the. performance of such a work, and it was evidently a pleasurable one to all taking part in it, judging by the manner in which the whole was given. The large audience and the unexceptional number of performers is quite a revival of times long gone by, when it was the custom to sea oratorios given and attended as " Elijah" waa last night. The publio is undoubtedly indebted to [the indefatigable exertions of the committee of the society for onoe more reviving these lasting works in a proper and befitting manner. The Oddfellows' Hall proved insufficient to afford accommodation for the large audience, but this was occasioned partly by tne placing of tbe performers at the northern end of the hall, under the gallery. The performing members numbered about eighty, iucluding orchestra, the whole being under the direction of Mr Walls, who conducted in a very efficient manner. The committee provided a book of words, which also contained the names of the performing members, and of the orchestra. This was a boon to those unprovided with soore copbs, and the system will, we hope, be purtued at all subsequent public performances of the society. The soprano solos were given by Miss Taylor in the first part, and by Miss Fairhurst in the. second part; the contraltos were divided by Mrs Palairet and Miss Kelly ; Messrs Hartley and Puschel divided the tenor solos, and Mr Willis took one bass solo ; to Mr [Boyd Tras entrusted the trying part of Elijah. We have been accustomed so long to hear Miss Taylor's exquisite 6iugicg of oratorio music taut jood work is always expected from hor. Lost night she fully sustained her reputation. Of Miss Fairhurst it may bu said cnat she made her debut last night in oratorio, and exceedingly well did she do all '.hat was entrusted to her, quite carrying away the honors of the evening. She is a decided acquisition co the society. Mrs Palairet was successful in all that she did, but a little less forcing of the voice would be an improvement. Mr Hartley failed utterly with''Ye people rend your hearts," and " If with all your hearts." Mr Puschel was much more successful with hi! portion of the tenor part. Respecting the part of Elijah, round which the whole work cer.Lres, it may be held up as a crucial test of ability, and no one should make a public es»'iy to do it unless with full assuranca of success, and success in the part is an honor to any singer, especially an amateur. We cannot congratulate Mr Boyd on his performance, as ho was entirely overweighted. This is to be regretted, as we are aware of some good exponents of the part living in the province, whose services might have been invited for the occasion. MiBS Parkerson assisted very materially in the quartettes, as also did Miss Kelly and Mr Merlon. The chorus may be congratulated on their work. It is a long time since such a strong body sang together, and the way in which the chorus numbers wore givun reflects credit on all taking part. The orchestra was well under command, and played nioely throughout the entire work.