CHORAL SOCIETY’S CONCERT.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5713, 22 July 1879, Page 2

CHORAL SOCIETY’S CONCERT.

After a lapse of nearly five months it was a pleasure once again to attend a concert of the above society. It may be presumed that the inclemency of the weather during the past two months has to some extent interfered with the usual practices, so much so as to entirely prevent the attendance of many well known members. The concert opened with Rossini's grand oratorio of the “Stabat Mater,” in which the first chorus was by no means so steady as eould have been wished. The “ Cujus Animam,” by Mr. Rous Marten, was capitally rendered. This was followed by the duet “ Quis est Homo,” in which both Mrs. Ootterell and Mrs. Levin gave the various intricate passages beautifully. Mr. Hollister in the “ Pro Peocatis,” was very good, though not by any means so successful in the “ Eia Mater,” where the prompting of the conductor was only too audible, and the same defect was very noticeable in the bass part of the quartette “Sancta Mater.” In the “Fac ut Porten,” Mrs. Garrard sang excellently, although it was hardly suitable to her voice. Mr. Ootterell gave the “luflammatus” with magnificent verve and tender passion, her upper notes ringing out like a bell above the band, the chorus coming in with surprising grandeur. The oratorio was followed by Smart’s cantata “ The Bride of Dunkerron,” in which the most noticeable features were the singing in the aria, “ Our home shall be,” by Mrs. Ootterell, with the duet that followed, which was the gem of the evening, although the tenor sadly lacked spirit. Mr. Widdop sang the difficult music of hia part very correctly, and with good effect. The concert was an undoubted success ; but we must not conclude without paying a warm tribute of praise to the orchestra. The conductor, Mr. Prrker, must also be highly complimented on the pains which he must have taken to drill both soloists and chorus in the exceptionally difficult music of the cantata. The concert will be repeated this evening, as the Athenseum Hall was not of sufficient size to accommodate the whole of the subscribers at one time.