SHANNON CHORAL SOCIETY.

Shannon News, 4 October 1927, Page 3

SHANNON CHORAL SOCIETY.

“MERRIE ENGLAND.” The tuneful light opera “Merrie England,” written by the English composer, Edward German in 1902, was first produced in London under the baton of its talented composer in 1903. The work has only of recent years been produced in New Zealand and it has so rapidly gained in popularity that the few sets of copies held in the Dominion are in demand by the various Choral Societies, while it has fully established iself as a public favourite. For the presentation in Shannon next week, no pains or expense has been spared to give the best possible interpretation to this fine work, and to assist the local soliosts arid chorus, three of the best soloists procurable in the Dominion have been engaged— Miss Naomi Whalley (“Bessie”), Miss Nora Greene takes the dual parts of ‘‘Queen Elizabeth” a>nd “Jill-all-alone,” whilst Mr. J. Garde Grimshaw represents “Raleigh,” Mr. J. D. Brown (“Essex”) and Mr. F. C. Lemmon (“Long Tom”). Full particulars are advertised today.

The following references to Miss Nora Greene will serve to introduce her to the Shannon public:—

“In their choice of soloists the society were exceedingly happy. It is a matter of difficulty to mention first any one of the three visiting singers; but the chief vocal responsibility was on Miss Nora Greene, late of London, who took the parts of Queen Elizabeth and Jilball-alone. Her conti'alto is of unusual range, with clear treble quality in the upper notes, and a gentle transition to perfect resonance in the lower register.' In her iopjenirig number ‘ Where the deer do” lie, ’ her resources were not guessed at, because the opportunity had not come to evince them, but when she sang *O, Peaceful’England, ’ an artist was recognised, and her expressive interpretation was heartily encored, as also were her succeeding - numbers. Her gratifying efforts were acknowledged with a suitable souvenir. ” —Chronicle.

“Miss Nora Greene, though not a very powerful singer, is a very artistic one. She has a carefully cultivated contralto of very pure quality, enunciates perfectly, and on all occasions conveys that pleasing feeling that one / was studying the art of a very capable graduate of a very capable teach-b cr. Her great moment in the oratorio was, of course, in the fine aria, ‘But the Lord is mindful of His own,’ in which the message of consolation and hope, spiritually expressed in . the music, was faithfully rendered by the singer. ’ ’ —Dominion.