Musical.

Southern Cross, Volume 2, Issue 16, 21 July 1894, Page 12

Musical.

INVERCARGILL CHORAL

UNION

When the Choral Union announced for the programme of the first concert of the fourth series the two Works, Mendelssohn’s “ Hymn of Praise,” and Handel’s “ Acis and Galatea,” there were some who thought that the Society had erred in attempting two works which embodied so many difficulties. However, the success which attended the concerts on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings amply vindicated those who were responsible for the choice and established the ability of the Invercargill Choral Union to render music of the highest order. Some four months had been spent in preparation, and the wellknown ability and application of the conductor (Mr Charles Gray), had been taxed to the uttermost, with soloists, chorus and orchestra, to produce a finished rendering of these immortal works. The result was eminently satisfactory, and the performances reflected great credit on all concerned. The Theatre was comfortably filled on Tuesday night, and most of the faces of the music-lovers of the town and district were seen among the audience on one or other of the nights. The chorus numbered some 90 voices, fairly well balanced, and the orchestra about 30. The sacred work was placed first upon the programme. Owing to the great length of the two works combined a judicious condensation had to be resorted to, and only a portion of the opening symphony could be given. The allegretto agitato was the movement selected, and it was beautifully rendered by the orchestra. The soprano music was sung by Mrs Ross with that sympathetic ability and tone which makes Invercargill audiences always pleased to hear her. The Union had secured the services of Mr Ernest Packei-, of Dunedin, for the tenor music. Mr Packer is possessed of a light tenor voice of excellent range, tone and quality, and the audience were pleased with his rendering of the exacting airs and recitatives. Were we inclined to criticise, a little more animation would be considered necessary to a finished rendering, but as the works were to some extent new to him, we can only regard his singing as eminently conscientious and satisfactory. The gems of the work were, perhaps, the duet and chorus “ I waited for the Lord,” the Misses Waymouth sustaining the leading parts, and the chorus “ The night is departing,” rendered with excellent precision and effect. The composition contains no solo work for contralto or bass. The second work, “ Acis and Galatea,” is of a very different nature, the music being pastoral, and it offers considerable scope for dramatic effect. The theme is familiar, being the classic story of the loves of Acis and Galatea, interrupted by the jealous rivalry of Polyphemus, who accomplishes the death of Acis —Galatea being consoled by his being turned into a running stream. There are many beautiful effects both in the vocal and instrumental parts, which were faithfully interpreted in the performance under notice. Miss Geddes was in excellent voice, her tone being fresh, sweet, and

flexible, her enunciation clear, and she scored a great success, especially in the solos, “ Hush, ye pretty warbling Choir,” “As when the Dove,” and “ Must IMj Acis still bemoan P” Mr Packer’s rendering of the tenor solos, “ Where shall I seek the charming fair,” “ Love in Her Byes sits playing,” and “ Love sounds the Alarm,” was very fine and pleasing, his voice being well suited to this class of music. Mr J. B. Taylor, as the monster Polyphemus, sang “ I rage, I melt, I burn,” and “O, ruddier than the Cherry,” with fine tone, correct reading, and characteristic vigour. The dramatic trio, “The Flocks shall leave the Mountains,” was splendidly'interpreted by Miss Greddes and Messrs Packer and Taylor. Mr E. B. McKay essayed the part of Damon, but owing to a cold had to cease to sing beyond his first number. The choruses, varying from sprightly to mournful, were finely rendered with commendable precision by the large body of vocalists, and the orchestra (led by Mr Blue) in many trying passages showed itself completely amenable to the conductor’s baton.

On Wednesday night the attendance was not such as to warrant a repetition of the dual night arrangement for anything else than oratorio. Mr Gray had to apologise for the absence of several vocalists through influenza. Mrs Ross took the place of Miss Waymouth in the duet “ I waited for the Lord,” and, singing the music at sight, did so in a thoroughly effective manner. Mr McKay was also absent, and his numbers had to be omitted. The performance was if anything an improvement on that of the previous evening. Mr Packer seemed to be more at home with his surroundings and sang all his parts in almost faultless style, the duet with Mrs Ross, “My Song shall always be Thy Mercy,” being especially fine. The other vocalists enhanced, if possible, their successes of the previous evening Miss Lithgow presided at the piano with excellent taste.

The Thames pours forty million cubic feet of water into the sea every hour. Contrary to the general belief that Ireland leads the world in its fondness for “ praties,” statistics show that the people of Germany and Belgium are the greatest potato eaters; the consumption in these countries annually exceeds 1,000 pounds per head of population.