Musical.

Southern Cross, Volume 2, Issue 38, 15 December 1894, Page 9

Musical.

ELIJAH.

Since the last time this oratorio was rendered in Invercargill the Choral Union has made marked progress in numbers and efficiency, and guided by the infinite tact and indefatigable baton of Mr Charles Gray, expectations of a highly successful performancegwere called forth, which were in every way realised on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. As on the former occasion the title role was sustained by Mr John Prouse, of Wellington, a gentleman in whom every favourable qualification was combined a wonderfully rich and powerful voice, a physique suitable to the character, and the soul essential to the faithful interpretation of the accents of the prophet, whether standing alone before the prophets of Baal, or pleading with God for the life of the widow’s son, or, weary of existence, entreating the Lord to take away,his life. The two special solos, “ Is not His word like a fire,” and “ It is enough,” requiring on the one hand declamatory power and rapid phrasing, and on the other intense feeling, were rendered with truest artistic execution. The' bulk of the solo work falls upon Elijah, and Mr Prouse was more than equal to every exigency, and sang with meritorious exactitude, bis tone, enunciation, and phrasing being perfect. To Mrs Ross was entrusted the music of the widow of Zarepta, and the air “ What have Ito do with thee?” culminating in the duet with Elijah, was admirably sung, and the incident followed by the audience with breathless interest. Miss Geddes’ rendering of the solo opening the second part, “ Hear ye Israel,” was accompanied with that freshness and beauty of voice which always characterises her singing. Miss Lines sang the principal contralto solos, and we have never heard her to greater advantage. “ Woe unto them,” ' and “ O rest in the Lord,” were especially noteworthy. Mr E. Price undertook the leading tenor music and recitatives, and executed them in a finished manner. Mr W. L. Gray, however, was entrusted with “ Then shall the Righteous,” and sang the difficult solo with sweetness and accuracy. The various concerted items with which the work abounds were undertaken and executed with thorough efficiency by Misses H, Grigor, B. Organ, Geddes, K. Kirwan, and Mrs Ross, sopranos; Mrs Braik, Misses Innes and Varcoe, altos; Messrs W. L. Gray, G. R. George, and IsT. McLaren, tenors ; and Mr J. E. Taylor and G. Searle, basses. Special mention should be made of the unaccompanied terzetto, “ Lift thine eyes,” by Misses Kirwan, Geddes, and Innes, in which the voices blended beautifully. The chorus work was rendered with vigor, attack, and expression only begotten of incessant practice. Those suck as the Baal choruses and “ Thanks be to God,” were given with a fine volume of sound, while in “ He watching over Israel,” “ Blessed are the men,” and “ Behold, God the Lord passeth by,” the capability of the chorus to produce fine piano effects was amply demonstrated. The orchestra, although a little too loud on the first night, settled down to fine sympathetic work on the second, and acquitted themselves very creditably. Miss Lithgow was all that could be desired as piano accompaniste, and Mr Charles Gray bore the tremendous strain in keeping all together with an equanimity which betokened the utmost confidence that all under his baton would conscientiously do their best—and the “best” of the Invercargill Choral Union will compare more than favorably with that of any other body of equal size and opportunities.