HARMONIC SOCIETY’S CONCERT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 8 May 1925, Page 7

HARMONIC SOCIETY’S CONCERT

AN EVENING WITH OPERA

Lovers of opi'rrt were 'treated to n most pleasant and entertaining concert at t-hti School of Music last, night by the Harmonic Society. Latterly tile Society have had the satisfaction of, seeing an audience to fill the hall at every concert, and last-night, wit's tin exception, for the, auditorium WAS filled With an appreciative Assemblage. Recollections of the Society's last performance of Faust, though some years ago. are still vivid to many, who, no doubt, were eager, and even anxious to retievV acquaintance with Gounod’s ohametei's tti .•...s popular and enchanting work. The programme last evening was miscellaneous, and was opened by tin exceptionally strong orchestra of over twenty instrumentalists playing Wagner's i're-, hide to “Tristan and Isoldtt,.” This prelude to one of the most beautiful and original of music dramas is no- easy task for amateurs, and the way in which the Society’s orchestral members interpreted it, under the condtmforship of Mr.Lemmer, reflects the care ami perseverance- entailed for its presentation. The weird, languid strains of this number were in marked contrast, to the second it ran. also a composition of Wag-ners-—“Hail, Bright Abode ’ —from Taimhnuser. Set for chorus and orchestra to a fine martial air, the eon-, position has ever been popular, amt last night's performance, no doubt, added many admirers. The performers bandied it with confidence and gained well merited applause. A number on tile programme looked forward to by many was a pianoforte solo set for' Miss Fountain Barber, L.A.B. This was Miss Barber's debut to a Nelson audience and judging by the insistent demand for a return to her playing oil i-izt s "St. Francois do Panic," expectations were fully realised. Her presentation of a difficult subject was colourful and entertaining. .Miss Barber replied with a dainty little composition, executed with skill and artistry. The latter half‘of the programme was devoted to selections from “Faust”— Gounod’s most charming opera. The prelude by the orchestra was a tilting introduction (and. prepared an atmosphere of certainty for soloists arid chorus. The vocal benches were well cued and a good balance was evident. Margarita was in the capable hands of .Miss li. Jacobs, and it was apparent that it could not liuve been in better keeping. Her voice was heard to advantage and in the “Song to King of Thule” the performer gave great expression. In the duet with Mr Huggins' Miss Jacobs again did excellent work. Miss V. Bell was entrusted with Kiebel’s part and did justice to the solos alloted to that character. Her interpretation of the flower song was pleasing and soulful and received a very warm reception. For the impersonations of Faust and Mephistophcles the Society had chosen well, for Mr F. Huggins and Mr E. -Short- were the respective soloists. Mr Huggins had a strenuous evening and made the very host of it. The clarity and tone of his high register was superb and many were the tokens of delight from the targe aiuliee.ee. Ihe opening solo allotted’ to Faust “All Hail, brightest- day and last” was a- gem and left but little to be desired. Then again the tuneful and melodious “What trouble unknown overtakes me,” was sung with feeling and appeal and perhaps vying for popularity with these was the. love scene of ..Margarita and laust, for which Miss Jacobs and Mr Huggins had to bow acknowledgment to prolonged acclamation. Mr Short, in fine voice, gave such a splendid interpretation of "Clear the way for the calf of gold,” that it- had to be repeated. Also for “Maiden feigning to be sleeping” —a rather difficult passage which was interpreted with warmth—Mr Short had to accede to another rendering. Of the choruses all were splendid and sung with gusto. The dancing song, “Light, as air,” with»its orchestral, accompaniment was tuneful to a degree, and »received the hearty approbation of the audience. The bpst known f aiid perhaps the most popular of all Gounod’s works is ‘’The Soldiers Chorus. I his the performers last night' excelled in and with snap and precision told, the soldiers’ story; rousing the audience to such a pitch, that the conductor considered a repetition the only way to quieten the vociferous applause. Ihe concert can be chronicled .as one of the greatest successes of the Society yet, and praise is due to Mr Lenpner iat the efficiency attained. - The piamste >v -as iUiss V . W ilding and leader ot the orchestra Miss K. Fajyhall....