CHORAL SOCIETY’S CONCERT.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume III, Issue 437, 16 December 1876, Page 2

CHORAL SOCIETY’S CONCERT.

Wis have much pleasure in congratulating Air Browne, the talented conductor of our local society of amateur vocalists (not forgetting the vocalists themselves) on the successful combination of his forces on Wednesday evening last. Though by no means a large audience, the Hall did not present so large a number of empty seats as on previous occasions, an indication which we might take for an appreciation of a higher class of music, were it not marred by that detestable nuisance of feet tramping which, in any other place, would subject the interrupters to the pains and penalties of an inexorable Index. e.cpurgatorius. There was nothing to cavil at in the selection of Wednesday evening’s programme ; but we incline to the belief that, putting custom on one side, the performers—particularly the opening soloists—in Locke’s Macbeth music, would have been in better form had that delightful, but difficult composition formed the second part of the programme, instead of the first. There was'a perceptible unsteadiness in the opening voices, which did not recover itself until after the first chorus ; but, with the exception of the doubtful necessity of dividing the music itself into three distinct parts, the rendering of the whole was as effectively achieved as could be expected, without the all-powerful aid of a good orchestra. It is but due to Mrs Brooke Taylor to say that her accompaniment on the pianoforte, to the wielding of Air Browne’s baton, was artistic and tasteful. As also we may mention here, were the instrumental introduction, and the overture to Gildeny, played by this lady. Airs Berry and Miss O’Meara were conspicuous in the rendering of their solos, the latter lady securing a warm round of applause ; the alto voices were, also, clearly, and pleasingly audible.

•The second part, consisted of a less dramatic selection. “ The Wreath,” was decidedly the best executed piece of the eveuing, (barring the Macbeth choruses) and the simple, but pretty little “ Keel Row ” was made the most of by an harmonious blending of the voices. “ When the wind blows,” evidently blew the singers out to sea ; a substitution for one of the singers having been made since the rehearsal, will, probably, account for what was excusable under the circumstances.

Airs Hood’s song “ Happiness ” was pleasantly rendered. This lady’s ability leads an audience to look for something new at her hands ; but her song was well received, which obliged her to respond to an encore.

Some one must be last, but the compliment is none the less merited by Air East for his admirable singing of the “ Wreck of the Hesperus.” Mr East has studied the poetry of this song, as well as its music, which was exhibited iu a very artistic display of light and shade. A well pronounced encore, was rather hard on the singer; but he generously repeated the latter portion.