CHORAL SOCIETY'S CONCERT. ♦

Manawatu Herald, 7 May 1880, Page 2

CHORAL SOCIETY'S CONCERT. ♦

A very good house greeted the Foxton Choral Society at their concert on Wednesday evening last, when one of the most successful conceits ever given by the Society took place. From the opening overture to the closing chorus the interest never flbgged. Advantage "Was taken of the presence in town of Miss Randell — who is well known as one of the most popular Wellington singers— to solicit her assistance at the concert, which she kindly consented to give, and thus contributed in a marked degree to make the concert a thorough success. Tlie first part of the programme consisted of selections from " IMaritana," the overture being plnyed by Mrs Dunn. The opening chorus, "Sing Pretty Maiden," went capitally, though the tenors showed a slight weakness in one or two passages. The 3r&t solo of the evening, " Let me like a soldier fall," by Mr Palmer, was scarcely so succes-ful as his efforts are usually, the high notes being apparently beyond the compass of his voice. Then followed the pretty quartet and chorus, " By this hand," and " Lo, the organ," which elicited hearty applause. This was followed by " Scenes that are brightest," which Mrs DDa yes»: es» gave with great pathos and effect, notwithstanding the fact that she was, like many of the other singers, suffering from a severe cold. The beautiful " Angelus Chorus " followed, and the Society is to be congratulated upon the rendition of this dfficult piece of music, the pp and ff passages being well marked, and tuts harmony sustained throughout. Of course the gem of the selections was, " Alas, those chimes," given by Miss Randell. Her voice is exceedingly rich, tbo low notes being extremely full and clear, and its compass very great. «Ber singing was a great treat, and at the close of the piece, as Iher voice died away on the lower A, the audience broke into a storm of appluuse.and the last movement had to be repeated. Mr Carter, whose fine bass voice is a great acquisition to the Society, gave "In happy moments " with great effect, though the closing notes were evidently marred by the sffects of a severe cold. The first part slosed with the well-known chorus, " 0, what pleasure," which was a most successful ending to the Maritana selections. The foqond part consisted of the usual miscollanoous selections, opening with the ever, popular gee, " From O heron in fairy land"; followed by Miss Rundell, who achieved another brilliant success in the song, "Jessie's Dreaui," and in response to a vosifcrous encore repeated the last part. The same young lady at a later period of the evening rendered the beautiful song, " The Nightingale's L'riH," which afforded full scope for the display both of her splendid voice and brilliant execntion. This was encored, when the popu'ar song, " Sing, Sweet Bird," was given, which we thought the gem of the evening, the high notes and runs being su ng with perfect ease and grace. Mrs Tansley f uily sustained her high reputation by her rendering of " Auld Robin Gray," which was most determinedly encored, " The Dear Little Shamrock," given in response, also receiving hearty applause. A Berio-comic duet, ''Money Matters," made up of a number of parodies on well-kuown songs, by Mrs Tansley and Mr J. Russell, •fairly bought down the house, the last part being repeated for the encore Mrs Dunn received an encoreior her song, " Killarney," and responded -with the last verse. In addition to those referred to the following pieces were performed during the second pnrt : — " The music of her voice," by Mrs Dovie3 ; " Come back to Erin," by Mr G. Russell ; "Ye Gallants of England," by Mr J. Russell; "Awake, Awake," by Mr A. Howa ; and liossini'B Beggar's Chorus, "The Carnovale," which concluded the entertainment. During the evening the accompaniments were played effectively by Mrs Symons and Miss Gray, whilst Mr J. Russell conducted throughout. The receipts were considerably in advance of the amount ordinarily taken, and the popular verdiot is that Wednesday night's was one of the best concerts ever held in Foxton.