CHORAL SOCIETY’S CONCERT.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 4861, 20 October 1876, Page 3

CHORAL SOCIETY’S CONCERT.

The Choral Society opened the fourteenth season last night with remarkable eclat. The Odd Fellows’ Hall was crowded to its utmost capacity, and it will be a serious question for the committee whether it will not be necessary to secure the theatre for the next concert, as the hall certainly will not be able to hold all the new subscribers who continue to join daily. It is only fair to take this opportunity of complimenting the committee on the zeal and ability with which they have steadily set themselves, during the past two seasons, to extricate the society from the financial difficulties in which it had been left by their predecessors. Although old debts, amounting to £l7O, were paid off during those two seasons, nevertheless, owing to the secession of, subscribers, the present season commenced with a deficit of £9O, all of which now is paid off; and there is every reason to believe that the close of the present season will see the society entirely clear of debt. It is needless to enlarge on the society’s obligation to the President (Mr. George Hunter). This_ is tod well known and thoroughly recognised to need remark. Especial interest attached to last night’s concert from its being the first yet given under the direction of the new conductor, Mr. Edwards, who came with so high a reputation from Victoria that expectation was' raised very high; and both the society and Mr. Edwards may fairly be congratulated on the undoubted fact that not only was the expectation not disappointed, but, on the contrary, the reality greatly exceeded the anticipation. The concert was a brilliant and unqualified success from beginning to end—one of the best ever yet listened to in this city. The first part of the programme comprised selections from some of the finest sacred works, both old and new. The overture to Handel’s “ Samson” was admirably played by a most efficient band of 20 performers, and the chorus “Fixed in His everlasting seat,’ from (the same oratorio, which immediately followed the overture, was given with great power and grandeur by a combined body of seventy , vocalists and twenty instrumentalists. Then followed an exquisite unaccompanied quartet from Sullivan’s new oratorio “The Eight of the World,” which was sung to perfection, the lights and shades being beautifully contrasted. Next came the chorus from “ Samson ” “ Round about the starry throne,” which also went extremely well The contralto aria from " The Light of the World,” “ God shall wipe away all tears,” was sung with exceeding sweetness and pathos by a favorite singer, whose appearance is always welcomed with delight. The chorus from Rossini’s “Mose in Egitto” went very steadily, although in our opinion a little too slowly. Another favorite singer gave the beautiful soprano aria “ With verdure clad ” (“ Creation ”) with admirable taste and finish. The solo and [chorus “ The marvellous work,” from the same oratorio, also went with perfect steadiness. Another new work “Israel’s Return from Babylon” (by Schaohner) was next laid under contribution, a very ; beautiful, though peculiarly written duet for soprano and tenor, “Hark! tis the breeze,” being very well and tastefully rendered. The first part of the programme closed. with the famous chorus, “The Heavens are telling” (“Creation”), which was given with a magnificent power and spirit, and at the same time thorough steadiness, which fairly carried the audience away, and in spite of the obvious desire to listen with due decorum to the sacred music, the hearty applause could be ho longer repressed, and the chorus had to be repeated, going, if possible, even more splendidly than before. A short interval followed, and then the band had an opportunity of distinguishing themselves in a grand selection from Halevis opera “ _La Juive,” which (was played with a combination of power, steadiness, and expression which showed how carefully and skilfully they had been trained, and reflected great credit both on the performers and their conductor. The selection was loudly and deservedly applauded. A pretty Tyrolese part-song, sung by the chorus: without accompanyment, came next, and went with (such sparkling vigor that another encore was the result. A lovely trio for female voices, by Smart, “ Rest thee on this mossy pillow,” was delightfully sung by three of our most admired lady amateurs. Sullivan’s song, “Let me dream again," was given with extreme taste and beauty of expression by a charming soprano voice, and elicited another enthusiastic encore, as did also the piano solo, a “ (by Gottschalk) on the “ Miserere” scene in II Trovatore,” which was played by Miss Black, the pianiste to the society, who proved herself one of the most talented and accomplished pianistes yet heard in Wellington. The extreme difficulties with which the piece abounded were overcome with apparent ease, and her taste in expression was as excellent as her execution, both being most remarkable, especially in so young a performer. In response to the encore, she played a different piece with equal finish and style, again receiving vociferous applause. _ Another young lady sang “The Spanish _ gipsy girl’s song” / charmingly, displaying a very sweet and rich voice of great promise. She, too, was applauded to the echo, and loudly encored. A pretty solo and chorus, “The Venetian boatmen’s song” (Halton), was also well rendered, and then followed the grand scena, “ Softly sighs,” from Der Freischutz, given with remarkable beauty of voice and much dramatic force by a young lady, the society’s principal soprano, who is admittedly the most promising of our local singers, and bids fair to become a vocalist of rare excellence if she continues to study as assiduously in the future as she has during the last two years. It is needless to add that she was encored with the utmost enthusiasm, and had to repeat the latter part of the scena,. The “ Song of the Miners”’brought on a gentleman whose fine

baritone voice has not been heard in Wellington for nearly two years past. He sang the solo admirably, and the chorus went with immense spirit, a special feature being the anvil accompaniment. This’also was encored, and repeated. The concert concluded with the “ Chorus of Gipsies” from Weber’s “ Preciosa,” most spiritedly sung, and brilliantly accompanied by the band, with the addition of tambourines, castanets, and triangle. This also was redemanded. Altogether the concert, as we have already said, was a brilliant success, and shows what may be expected from our Choral Society under the able baton of the new conductor, Mr. Edwards, whose loeal repulation is established beyond dispute by his first effort, and the society may be heartily felicitated on possessing so skilful and painstaking a leader. We have already mentioned Miss Black’s magnificent playing of her pianoforte solo, and equal praise may be awarded to her accompauimentsdnringthe evening,which were simply irreproachable. The society is very fortunate to have such apianiste. Theindividualmembers of the band 1 acquitted ‘ themselves to admiration, and altogether the affair was one of the most decided successes we ever remember to have been present at. We hope and believe the society has now a brilliant and prosperous fature in store.. ,