SUCCESSFUL CONCERT

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 369, 1 June 1928, Page 14

SUCCESSFUL CONCERT

ROYAL AUCKLAND CHOIR Last evening the Town Hall, in the presence of a very large audience which included their Excellencies Sir Charles and Lady Alice Fergusson, the Royal Auckland Choir gave the first concert of its 1928 season. The programme was very long, and as far as the choir was concerned, not ambitious; nevertheless, the audience seemed to derive considerable enjoyment from the evening's entertainment. The choir’s initial number was the part song, “Strike the Lyre,” which received a good performance. The attack, balance of tone, expression and intonation were very satisfactory, but the release of some phrases might have been cleaner, and the florid final phrases sounded a trifle laboured. The encore which followed, the hymn, “Abide With Me,” seemed a little inappropriate, and was not very impressively sung. “Castilla” (Protlieroe) and “O, Breath of Music” (Behr) were the biggest works attempted b% the choir. The former opened with a good swinging rhythm, which, however, was not sustained, while neatness and phrasing at times were unsatisfactory, but some good dramatic and expressive effects were secured and the song was sung with commendable spirit. “O, Breath of Music,” was nicely sung. The tone was full and round, and a broad stirring effect was obtained. The smoothly sung solo by Mr. Walters gave relief to the choral movements. The three “Sea Shanties” arranged by Dr. Thomas were welcome items. The solo in the first —that splendid old tune, “Shenandoah” —was admirably sung by Mr. H. Schofield, whose voice was as attractive as any heard during the evening, but the choral parts were taken rather quickly and the regretful tone was missing. The second of the group, the humorous “Billy Boy,” went with a good lilt, Messrs. Stewart and McDougall adequately singing the solos. The rollicking air of “Rio Grande” mightily pleased and was repeated. This last song, however, demands a more free and easy nautical style—the singers gave the impression of being very well-behaved and discreet sailors!

A full setting of “Ten Thousand Times” (Thomas), a delicate rendering of Brahms “Lullaby,” in which the tone was good and several other small works, of which Mornington’s “When the World’s Repose” was by far the best sung, completed the choir’s numbers.

The soloists assisting at the concert were Miss Phyllis Hazell and Messrs. Randall, Carter and Sutherland. Miss Hazell, who has a pleasing mezzo-con-tralto voice, was a little over-weighted in jßantock’s “Rridal Song.” A steadier tone on full sustained notes, and stronger rhythm were required for the singing of this exacting song. Her singing of the “Habanera” from "Carmen” was much more satisfying, and her voice was well managed. Her encores were very expressively sung. Mr. Hubert Carter was heard in numerous numbers with vary*”" success. His head notes and mezzo voce are charming, and his singing is usually interesting, but a sense of forcing about many of his upper notes in forte passages mar their attractiveness, while a tendency to overdo vocal illustration rather lessens than adds to his success. Mr. Carter’s most enjoyable numbers were the "Air de Jean, ’ from "Herodiade” (Massenet) and Hahn’s "L’heure Rxquise,” both of which were very well sung. Celeste Aida” and a little French ditty were satisfactory and the Ballata from Rigoletto also, except for a suggestion of burlesque at the close. Mr. Edgar Randall contributed two aceptable organ solos, and Mr. F. Sutherland was heard to advantage with Miss Hazell in the big duo from “Samson and Delilah,” though more colour and elasticity should be infused into his singing. This duo is unsuitable as a concert item. Dr Thomas conducted, and Messrs. Randall and Towsey played respectively the organ and piano accompanimentS’ -S.K.F.