CHORAL SOCIETY CONCERT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume I, Issue 84, 20 June 1879, Page 2

CHORAL SOCIETY CONCERT.

The Foxtou Choral Society gave a concert on Wednesday evening; at the Public Hall It, was thought by some that the postponements which had taken place, in conjunction with tho recent _very wet weather, would militate against the attendance. Such, however, did not prove to be tho case, as, despite the sloppy condition of tho streets, a very lurge number — at least 150 — assembled to listen to the peiformances of the Society. The programme was rather longer than is usual, comprising 22 pieces. One feature wa« noticeable, viz., the absence of Quartets, and trios, whilst of duets there was a superabundance. One of the chief aims of a Choral Society should be to cultivate the taste for and performance of concerted music. Duets and solos can be worked up in the homes of the members, but for trios, quartels, &c, the training of a Society is necessary. In this particular department of music, are to bo found some of the richest gems, and we would suggest that in future concerted music should take the predominant place, solos being intro duced sparingly, to give variety. The overtures were — for the first part, D' Albert's charming " Lightning Galop" (duet), and tor the second part, a fantasia by Sydney Smith on " Masaniello, " including the barcarole " Time and Tide,"the Market Chorus, the Tarantella, and olher selections. Both pieces gave evidence of careful study, and showed that the Society possesses good instrumentalists. The choruses were gone through in a manner which evidenced careful training, and considering that the Society is weak in both altos and basses, high credit must be given for the manner in which they were performed. " Now tramp o'er moss and fell/ is a catchy piece, containing some difficult passages, and needing all four parts to be sustained; at one point the tenors faltered, but otherwise the chorus went well, the arscendo passages being sung with marked appreciation. " May day " (Muller), and an " Invocation to Oberon," a lively piece by J. L. Hatton, were the remaining glees in the first part, and evoked waim applause from the audience. In the second part, the Gipsy Chorus, "In the Gipsy's .life we lead " (Bohemian Girl) led off, and was splendidly sung, the high ringing notes of the soprano (in which the /Society ia especially strong) having a fine effect, in contrast with the low notes of the other parts. Balfe's beautiful quartette, " Lo the early beam of moruing," was given with precision, though the effect would probably have been greater had it been sung by four voices, instead of by the whole body of singers, as the words cross rppeatedly. The last glee was for male voices only, " Fill, boys, and drink about," and was the least successful of the choruses, lacking slightly in spirit. The duets were all well rendered, ' : Away to the forest glade," in the first part being furiously encored, as also was the well known " Flower Gatherers." In the second part, " The Sailor Sighs," (Balfe), and King's popular " Minute Gun at Sea," were given, the latter being encored, but the call was not responded to. " Come o'er the Moonlit Sea" (Masaniello) was also sung, but the effect was somewhat marred by the fact that the duet was rendered by soprano and contralto, although written for soprano and tenor. This course, however, was necessitated through the indisposition of the tenor who had arranged to sing in the duet. Notwithstanding the alteration, the audience evidently enjoyed the piece. The solos were on the whole given in a manner highly creditable to the Society. The chief defect appeared to be in the expression, which is half the charm of good singing. The soft and loud passages are designed by the composer for the same purpose as the painter arranges his shades of colour, viz., to give prominence to' the theme, and heighten the effect by contrast. Another thing we may remark is the necessity of a clear enunciation. The singing is robbed of a great part of its boauty where the audience are straining their ears to endeavour to catch tho words. Without indulging in comparisons, we may say Sullivan's beautiful song, " Let me dream again," appeared to best advantage, as the singer evidently appreciated the spirit of the composition, and rendered it accordingly with taste and feeling. The "Blue Alsatian Mountains" was deservedly encored, but we have hoard the singer in pieces which suited her voice better. The song is rather a heavy one, and being written in a high key, does not give f.he voice fair play, but notwithstanding this a great success was achieved, and a fur'ous encore was responded to with a sweet little song, " Still I love thee," which wad well rendered. '• Sing, sweet bird," was rendered effectively by a lady who possesses a voice of marvellous compass, strength, and clearness. She gave the higher A'a iv the song clearly and distinctly, whilst the passages resembling the singing of a bird were well brought out, An encore was responded to with a repetition of the last part of the song. Tho same lady sang " Chiming Bells," a quartet of singers giving the chorus. The temaining songs — '• When Sparrows build" (Miss Lindsay), " A Warrior Bold," " O let me kiss those weeping eyes " (Kerr), " The Tar's Farewell" (Adams), and " i am a friar of orders gray," were given with varying success, and on the whole favourably received by the aud'ence. The concert was carried through by Mr J. R. Russell, tho Hon. Conductor of the Society. The ladies who accompanied the various pieces deserve a word of high praise for the excellent manner in which their duties were performed. We regretted to notice signs of rowdyism during the concert, but a word or look from Constable M'Anulty restored order speedily. On the whole, the concert was a great success, and should be an encouragement to the members to persevere. Careful practice and a desire to improve, will, we trust, accomplish even better things in the future.