“THE MESSIAH”

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 850, 19 December 1929, Page 7

“THE MESSIAH”

GRAMOPHONE AND FILM PRESENTATION LEWIS EADY, LTD. RECITAL Since Handel’s immortal master- : piece Mas written 187 j’ears have passed away, but the “Messiah” re- ! mains as popular as on that April day j in 1742, when, at a music-hall in Dublin, it was first presented to the . world. Annual presentations of the “Mes- 1 siah,” even in this age of modern music, never fail to attract large and | appreciative audiences. Last evening’s performance at the Lewis Eady ! Hall differed largely from the many ! others given in Auckland, in that it ; Mas presented per medium of gramophone retcords with a film synchronisation. This, however, by no means detracted from the pleasure of the ! entertainment or the attendance. The recording, which was by Columbia, was of Sir Thomas Beecham’s performance of the oratorio in the Central Hall, Westminster, London, and the soloists were Hubert Eisdell, Harold Williams. Muriel Brunskill. Dora Labette, Nellie Williams and John Bonner (boy soprano), assisted by the British Broadcasting Company’s choir. The singing, both of the soloists and choir, was of a very high standard.

and excellent accompaniments had been supplied by a full and wellbalanced orchestra. The subjects for the film synchronisation had been very reverently handled, and the numerous biblical scenes shown added greatly to the interest of the presentation. The proceeds from the reservations are to be donated to the Jasper Calder j Christmas Cheer Fund. The oratorio was presented by Lewis Eady, Ltd., and the Columbia Gramophone Company.