SHANNON CHORAL SOCIETY.

Shannon News, 6 December 1927, Page 3

SHANNON CHORAL SOCIETY.

SACRED CONCERT. Once again the Slum non Choral Society lias fully justified its existence ancl added lustre to its name as a producer' of high-class music; tns m bv the production ot a sacied on Sunday evening that gave patrons nearly two hours of cUdightfu’ Bingni g . elocutionary and orchestral itemsThe Society was most toituimtc being able to secure the services ot Miss Nora Green and Mr. W';a>n Bashaw of Wellington. Mis. a previous performance th(J \ vanu England” here, was accorded the ja »> welcome, her glorious snigmg 'ociitecl. She will ever be a faiouute nit sSanLa public whiW Mr. Boi^aw with his beautiful tenor voice is non established in the same high esteem ot our music-loving people. He can always be assured of a hearty welcome on any future visits, Not only aa as h s enunciation excellent, but his inteipretation was characteristic ot a mastei artist, while his feeling and sympathj have never been equalled by a tenor before a Shannon audience. Miss Green, as usual took the house by storm and the enthusiastic crowd- would not allow her to leave the stage under three items at each appearance. In tie u she and Mr. Renshaw met with the same rounds of applause as they did in their solos. Our local singers were again in good voice, both Miss Ann and Mr. J. D. Brown meeting with the warm receptions they always receive; while the orchestra trained by Miss Neale retained its high reputation. It would indeed be difficult to find so efficient an orchestra of such young players, and they were not only accorded full appreciation by the public of Shannon but very complimentary remarks were made on their behalf by visiting musicians and singers. The choir under the able baton or Mr Howard Aiulrew, were in splendid form, carrying out their work in a miisterly manner. No wonder Shannon is proud of this musical body, the performances of which are now equal to many a city, choir. The past year has been a particularly good one for the Society and the grand finale for the season last Sunday night was a very fitting ending to a year’s splendid woik. The concert was opened by Miss Neale’s orchestra with the selection “Cavatina” (Raff) and every note was enjoyed to the utmost. There is no doubt that this orchestra improves with every performance. Later they gave as a selection “Call of the Angelus,” rendered in excellent style and requiring an encore before the delighted audience was satisfied. The choir gave the anthem “The Radiant Morn,” two part songs, “Abide with me,” in which the solos were taken by Miss Green and Mrs Gregory; and “Good Night” (Pinsuti) and the “Hallelujah” Chorus (Handel). The last was particularly good and may. be looked upon as one of the choir’s masterpieces. Miss Aim’s soprano solo, “0 Divine Redeemer,” was particularly sweet, the Higher notes being well reached and maintained. An encore was demanded which our local singer gave in very pleasing voice. ' Mr J. D. Brown, of Levin, an old favourite with the Shannon public, was as usual in splendid voice and gave an excellent rendering of “Beyond the Dawn,” which was followed by an encore richly deserved. An elocutionary item, “The Fool, was given by Miss Nancy Andrew, and drew from the audience applause of appreciation, and an encore was demanded. We hope we may hear more of Miss Andrew's elocutionary items, as they fully merited the applause given them. Mr William Renshaw, of Wellington, a tenor possessing a voice of rich purity, made his first appearance in Shannon, and the rendering lie gave, as well as the interpretation of his several songs, ranks him as one of the leading tenors of the Dominion at the present time. In the broadcasting world he is already well known and numerous patrons were anxious to hear him direct, and they were not. disappointed.He leaves behind him a reputation that can only be eclipsed by his reappearance at some future date. There is nc doubt his pleasing voice, easy singing style and stage manner made a big impression upon his audience. His first song, “If with all your hearts.” from “Elijah,” was really beautiful, and as an. encore, “In an Old Fashioned Town,” was perhaps his masterpiece. Such feeling and sympathy has rurch been heard here. His second item, “Star of Bethlehem,” gave all that could be desired and the encore so enthusiastically demanded by the delight ed audience, “Like Stars Above, was perhaps as wonderful, if not more so, than “In an Old Fashioned Town.” Mr Renshaw and Miss Nora Green appeared together in the duet, lor All Eternity,” and both singers more than earned the appreciation accorded them. As an encore they gave Bo" 11 ‘ lO Vale,” which endeared them to the hearts of the Shannon public for a time.

Miss Nora Green came AvitJi the high reputation already earned in Shannon and other parts of New Zealand and the thundering applause which greeted every song was characteristic, of her excellent performance. Her first song. “O Best in the Lord,” had to be followed by two more, “The Hills of Donegal,” and, “The Night Nursery,” and even then the public clamoured for more. Her second appearance was in the vocal duet, “For All Eternity,” and her third, the contralto solo, “The Blind Ploughman,” also called for two encores, “My Ain Poik,” and “Love’s Old Sweet Song.” The sweetness and fullness of her beautiful voice; her charming stage manner and interpretation and perfect enunciation created an unquenchable desire for more and yet * more.. Miss Green may be assured of a great reception in Shannon on any future visit.

The thank 3 of the Society are due to the honorary accompanist, Mrs Clifford Jones, whoso untiring efforts to please

and satisfy soloists as well as the choir, renders her an invaluable member of the Society.