CHORAL SOCIETY’S CONCERT.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5188, 7 November 1877, Page 2

CHORAL SOCIETY’S CONCERT.

Never has the Choral Society achieved such an unbounded and triumphant success as it did last night, when Spohr’s “ Last Judgment” was performed iu the Theatre Royal before a house crammed from floor to ceiling. All must be congratulated on its success—the committee for its choice of the work]; the conductor on the verve, fire, and dash, as well as the pathos and intensity with which he invested the work ; the members for the ability and enthusiasm with which they entered into the work; and last, and not least, the hearty appreciation by the audience of the efforts made for their gratification and delight, which was expressed by them in no stinted manner. We are very pleased to observe ths increasing desire on the part of the citizens of Wellington to appreciate the highest of all schools of music—the classic oratorio. Spohr may be said to differ essentially from other great composers in the dramatic form with which his work abounds; at the same time it is infused with lovely, liquid melody of the most enchanting beauty. There is nothing sudden or startling in it; but it is impressive and sublime throughout, more like the calm though rapid river than the mighty turbulent ocean, soothing the soul by its dreamy modulation, and often melting the listener to tears (but not of pain), as we noticed last night, in the quartette especially. The overture was excellently well played by the members who were there, but there were not enough of them to give the necessary power and body. The society’s band should be as large again, and material is in this city to make it so. The chorus following the overture was grandly done, and elicited much applause. “ Come up hither” brought our best baritone to the front, and his fine voice filled the crowded theatre well. The tenor recitative and air which followed were perhaps a little mild, but were very carefully and well rendered for all that. Then came the “ Sanctus " chorus, unaccompanied, which subdued the audience to a whisper. The treble solo and chorus, “ All glory to the Lamb that died,” was beautifully rendered ; but in our opinion the composition partakes too much of the character of a serenade. It is very beautiful nevertheless. The next movement, “ Blessing and honor,” is just the opposite, containing a solo and a chorus which has a noble fugue in it. It is grand in the extreme, and was performed splendidly. The two quartettes “Yes, every tear” and “ Blessed for ever,” quite carried the audience away, and the latter received a tremendous encore, which was responded to. The music illustrative of “ The Judgment,” accompanied as it was by majestic recitations, was really fine, the excellent baritone coming to the front and giving it with fine dramatic effect. We observed the careful hand of the conductor here again. Our space forbids us entering into further details ; and it only remains for us to add that the choruses throughout—especially the very difficult ones, “ Babylon ” and “ Groat and wonderful”—were given with correctness and enthusiasm ; and we have once more to congratulate the society (its conductor, leader, and members), on the unqualified success. The second part of the concert was light and pretty. The duet ICiicken’s “ Swallows ” was well sung by two of our best lady amateurs, and received a well-merited encore. The song “Guinevere,” by Arthur Sullivan, was superbly sung, and was met by a similar compliment, as was also the grand jewel scene from “Faust.” This was perhaps the most ambitious effort of the evening, and was justly applauded. The lady who sang it has improved wonderfully of late. “ ’Twas long, long since ” met with the hearty and enthusiastic approval of the audience, and was sung very sweetly. Tins song was obliged to be repeated, as the audience insisted upon it. “ Oh ! oh, hear the wild winds blow,” was given in magnificent voice by another rising baritone, who met with a most enthusiastic reception. The concert concluded at 10.30. His Excellency the Governor and suite were present.