THE CHORAL SOCIETY.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5016, 21 April 1877, Page 3

THE CHORAL SOCIETY.

Sin 31. costa’s oratorio “naaman.” The members of the Wellington Choral Society gave the second subscription concert of their fourteenth season at the Odd Fellows’ Hall last evening. The programme consisted of the celebrated oratorio “Naaman,” by Sir Michael Costa, of which the argument, as given in the published book of words, is as follows ;—The various incidents in this oratorio are to be found in the 2nd, -Ith, sth, and 6th chapters of the second book of Kings. It is introduced by the translation of Elijah to heaven, witnessed by Elisha and the sons of the prophets ; to whom he returns after dividing Jordan with the prophetic mantle. The widow’s oil is then multiplied. Elisha, having again been hospitably entertained by the Shnnamite, in requital promises her a son. Naaman arrives crowned with victory, hailed by Timna his wife, her attendants and the people. She approaches to embrace him ; he forbids her, on account of his bodily affliction having commenced. She urges him to apply to their god Bimmon for healing aid. The entreaties of Bimmon’s priests prove unavailing. Naaman, awakening from a dream, relates it to his wife. Adah —a captive Jewish maiden—being present, suggests his application to Elisha, and, as an inducement, she relates instances of his miraculous power, and thus prevails on the leper to seek help from the Prophet. The healing of the waters of Jericho by Elisha concludes the first part. The Shnnamite lamenting over her dead child, heart-broken, now flies to tho man of God, who, surprised at her loss, sends his servant Gehazi to lay his staff upon the child. It works no cure. A sanotus is then heard sung by angels. Elisha, on finding the child lifeless, reanimates him; the boy then relates to hia mother that he had heard the angels singing in Heaven. Naaman, with his family and retinue arrives at the door of Elisha’s home; receives the prophet’s message from Gehazi ; disappointed and enraged at his reception, he resolves to return to Syria. Adah deters him by relating the miracle of tho dead child being restored to life, and implores God, which induces Naaman to bathe in the Jordan as Elisha had commanded. His immersions are witnessed by Elisha and the sons of the prophets. He bathes six times in the Jordan without relief, but at the seventh, he is instantly restored. On returning to the shore, he first beholds Elisha, and recognises him to be the man who, in his dream, bade him “ go in peace thus intimating that God had made Naaman one of His own elect. The oratorio concludes with the general rejoicings thereon. The respective solo voices were oast as follows ;—Soprani—Adah and the Shnnamite. Contralti —The widow, Timna, the child. Tenori —Naaman, Gehazi. Basso—Elisha. It will be in the memory of moat of our readers that the Choral Society produced this grand and most difficult work for the first time just four years ago, under Mr. Mowbray’s able direction, when it proved so marked a success that it had to be repeated a few weeks subsequently, to give tho large number of persons who were unable to obtain admission an opportunity of hearing the oratorio. It is to be hoped that some such plan will prove practicable on the present occasion, for the Odd Fellows’ Hall proved by far too small to contain more than half those who would gladly have been present could they have procured tickets. The committee, however, felt that it would be unfair towards their subscribers to issue tickets for a larger number of persona than could be seated with some degree of comfort, and declined to permit any extra tickets to bo sold even to visitors, notwithstanding tho temptation to realise the £3O or £4O which could readily have boon made by selling tickets to the numerous persistent applicants. The ball was densely packed in every corner, several members of the committee being on thospottoassistinseating the crowd who thronged in directly the doors wore opened, the building being completely filled within ten minutes. Tho performance commenced punctually at 8 o’clock, the band playing tho characteristic little introduction with admirable precision, after which the favorite amateur baritone, who took tho part of the prophet Elisha in the first division of the oratorio, delivered his opening recitative with capital veice and expression. Tho very original descriptive orchestral movement describing tho ascension of Elijah in the fairy chariot was powerfully played, and the short descriptive bits of chorus (by female voices) wore very well done, as also were the fine choruses “Hail ! Master, hail!’’ and “ The curse of the Lord.” The beautiful duct for contralto and baritone, “ I sought tho Lord,” introduced a young lady singer now to a Wellington audience, and possessing a peculiarly sweet and true contralto voice, which sho used with great taste and feeling. Tho baritone part was taken by the gentleman already alluded to, and received full justice, the duet throughout being beautifully sung. After a short but grand chorus, “ When famine over Israel prevailed,” the delightful trio “Is anything too hard for God ?’’ was

capitally sung by the representatives of the Shimamitc women (soprano), Gchazi (tenor;, and Elisha (baritone). Thou followed the great hit of the night-the glorious “ Triumphal march,” and the chorus “With sheathed swords.” This was given with an effect which can only be described as sublime, and fairly thrilled the audience, indeed, it is questionable if so grand a combined choral and orchestral effect ever yet has been hoard in this city. The boro of the piece—“Naaman”—then made his first appearance in the line air “ Invoking Death,” which ho sang with immense spirit and power of voice, as also the difficult recitative, " Order ye the Buckler and the Shield.” The Israelite maid, Adah, was charmingly represented by a singularly pure and sweet soprano voice, exactly suited to the part. Both the incidental solos in the scene supposed to take place in the dwelling of Naaman were irreproachably rendered, as also the prayer “ Alak'-r of Every Star” at a later period of the oratorio. The part of Naaman’s wife, Timna, was also very well filled, both as to her short solos, and still more so as to the beautiful trio “Haste to Samaria,” snug by Adah, Timna, and Naaman (the last being taken for this occasion by the gentleman who sang the part of Geiiazi so well in the previous trio). It went exceedingly well and steadily. The baritone air, “The seed shall be prosperous,” was splendidly sung, and then the chorus “ Praise the Lord for Ills Goodness,” brought the first part to a brilliant conclusion. After a brief interval, the second division commenced with the pathetic song of the Slumamitc, “ Look up, my son,” delivered with admirable feeling by the j'oung lady who latterly has taken so prominent and valuable a place in the Society's concerts. It was most powerfully and feelingly given, and the subsequent choius “God who cannot be unjust,” formed an appropriate sequel. The part of Elisha throughout the second division was taken by a gentleman new to these concerts, and the fortunate owner of a rich and powerful bass voice. He sang the air “ Lament not” remarkably well, with much expression and vocal power. The lovely song “ I dreamt I was in Heaven,” was charmingly given by the same young lady who sung “ The widow's music” iu the first part. The band acquitted themselves to admiration in the stirring little march which precedes Naaman’s interview with Elisha, the air “ What meaneth he to rnook at mo,” which illustrates the scene, being powerfully declaimed, of the representative of Naaman; while the subsequent prayer “Maker of every star,” as already mentioned, received full justice. The quartette “ Honor aud glory,” went fairly, especially the opening tenor solo. The choruses “ Holy, holy,” “ Thanks, grateful thanks,” “Lord God,” “Blessed be the Lord,” wore sung with splendid power and precision, the last bringing the oratorio to a close at a quarter past 10. The total force of singers and band numbered about 80. Air. Edwards conducted with admirable skill aud tact, always keeping his force well in hand. The successful performance of this exalting work is clue entirely to his arduous aud unremitting exertion, which must, however, have been fully rewarded by the result. Air. Raymond presided at the pianaforte, and Air. Alanning at the cabinet organ, in a style which left nothing to be desired. The band was thoroughly efficient, and in short the whole performance was a brilliant success. A strong desire was expressed on all sides that it should be repeated at an early date, and we trust the committee will sec their way to accomplishing this, especially as so many wore disappointed in their desire to bo present.