WESTMINSTER GLEE SINGERS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 768, 14 September 1929, Page 15

WESTMINSTER GLEE SINGERS

TONIGHT’S PROGRAMME Today and tonight at His Majesty’s Theatre the Westminster Glee Singers will afford the public an opportunity of hearing music such as, unfortunately we rarely hear in this part of the world. The New Zealand portion of the Empire tour is under the direction of Henry Hayward by arrangement with Edward Branscombe and it is safe to say that no finer aggregation of artists has ever left the Homeland. All tlio members of the company, which consists of six boy sopranos and fight adult artists, were chosen by Mr. Branscombe from the great cathedrals of England, the leading church choirs. and opera companies; and the programmes they present are of a most delightfully diversified nature, always bright, never dull and quite distinct from the oftimes dreary orthodox concert programme. The entertainment is presented in a unique stage setting with pleasing lighting effects which enhance the artistic value. The programme to be presented is specially chosen to appeal to all tastes and patrons are indeed assured of a rare musical feast. A Hunting Chorus by the gentlemen of the company opens the programme and is followed by “The Pipes of Pan” by the boy sopranos. Charles Draper will then sing. Sir Arthur Sullivan’s • Youth Will Needs Have Dalliance.” Then come part-songs by the company, •Orpheus With His Lute” and “My Bonny Lass.” Harry Fearn, the boy soloist will contribute Schubert’s dainty number, “Cradle Song”; a quartet, ‘•The Banks of Allan Water” as arranged by Edward Branscombe; then a traditional Irish song by the tenor, Charles O’Connor. A special feature is the Sailor Shanteys, as sung by Albert G. Greene, with chorus by the company. A group of Welsh airs; then comes the first anthem, Ave Maria; followed by a Christmas Carol, “Ring Out with Jocund Chimes”; a tenor solo by Ernest McKinlay; humorous quartet by the gentlemen and a Scottish air, “Ye Banks and Braes,” by Donald Reid with accompaniment of voices; a group of Old English County Songs arranged by Edward Branscombe, “The Lark In the Morn,” and “I’m Seventeen Come Sunday”; James Barber, the basso will he heard in “A Song of Cider”; Charles O’Connor will sing “Among the Leaves So Green-O”; the old Devonshire song favourite, “Widdicombe Fair,” will be surfg by Albert G. Greene; the concluding item is “Oh Dear What Can the Matter Be,” arranged by Edward Branscombe for the full company. No doubt there will be many encore numbers and these will be selected from the gems of the Westminster’s repertorie. The Box Plans will be at His Majesty’s Confectionary.