ORATORIO CONCERT

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 599, 27 February 1929, Page 14

ORATORIO CONCERT

MENDELSSOHN’S “ST. PAUL” Very encouraging from the point of view of public support of choral 1 music was the crowded attendance at the Town Hall last evening when Mendelssohn's oratorio “St. Paul” was presented by the combined Methodist choirs. The performance of an oratorio is usually a popular and very appropriate feature of the Methodist conferences. "St. Paul” undoubtedly is one of the most populai' of the oratorios of Mendelssohn, a composer who has ; always been closely connected with the Bnglish race. This work was com- j pleted shortly after Mendelssohn had suffered a great misfortune in the ; death of his father, to whom he was j greatly attached. It is said that this greatly inspired the magnificent chorus and beautifully expressive solos with i which it abounds. Last evening the various choirs ; combined well to give a very satis- | tying performance, and the work was ably conducted by Mr. Mauglian Barnett, whose opportunities were somewhat restricted in having to hold the balance in face of numerical weaknesses in the bass and tenor parts. Unfortunately this appears to be an ever-present weakness all over New Zealand and is undoubtedly the result of the lack of interest shown in the higher vocal art by male singers. Taste and expression were always in evidence, however, and the large

idience had no reason to be other an highly pleased with the perform-

ance submitted. Particularly effective was the opening chorus of “Lord Thou Art Alone God," “Chorus of Hebrews,” an excellent opportunity for the male voices, the essentially dramatic number. “Stone Him to Heath,” and the beautifully expressive “How Lovely Are the Messengers.” Miss Alma McGruer’s nicely-modu-lated soprano was heard in several particularly pleasing numbers. Miss McGruer is an expressive artist, yet always pleasingly restrained. “Jerusalem,” with its peculiarly appropriate accompaniment, and that beautiful number, “I Will Sing of Thy Great Mercies,” were two of her best efforts. Mr. Birrell O’Malley also sang with fine expression. His is a voice well suited to oratorio, and a widening repertoire in this class of work should bring him into demand in other centres. His “Be Thou Faithful” was an artistic effort.

Although not a heavy role Miss Laura Stone, who handled the contralto solos, sang easily and with good effect, particularly the number, “But the Lord is Mindful.”

That polished and experienced artist Mr. Frank Sutherland, was well at home in the bass recitatives and arias, and the Rev. A. Mitchell was also heard to advantage in several numbers. The bass aria, “Consume Them All,” was appropriately delivered. Miss Edith Whitelaw was an effective leader for the string orchestra, which, together with the tasteful organ accompaniments of Mr. Edgar Randal, added greatly to the pleasure of the performance.