Te Aroha Choral Society.

Te Aroha News, Volume XXVII, Issue 4473, 9 October 1909, Page 2

Te Aroha Choral Society.

SECOND CONCERT.

j TitE second concert under the auspices of • the above Society was held in the Public Hall on Thursday evening last, when the three-act cantata, " The Merrie Men of Sherwood,” or “ Forest Days in the 1 Olden Times ” was given. | The building was packed to the doors, and standing room only was the order at 8 p.m., many being unable to obtain admission. For several months the Society have been hard at work on the piece, under the skilful baton of Mr Charles Rayner, who, by-the-way, has worked night and day to ensure the success of the piece, which goal was completed, judging by the appreciation of the audience, who followed the rendering from beginning to end. It must, indeed be gratifying to that gentleman to find that his labour has not been in vain. The concert can in every way be classed as the most successful held in Te Aroha for some years in this particular class of music. The Society has been strengthened by the addition of a small orchestra, and they contributed largely to the suceess of the concert, and with the addition of a few more instruments will be a very valuable assistance to the choruses and Boloists.

The programme opened with a selection by the orchestra, “ Oriental,” which was very nicely rendered. Mrs Collins then followed with " The Garonne,” and was warmly applauded. Mrs Costello, in a pleasing contralto voice, was heard to advantage in "The Promise of Life,” The first act of the cantata was then rendered, the soloists beiug: Maid Marion, Mrs Axford; Robin Hood, Mr Humphries ; Little John, Mr C. Scott; Will Searlett, Rev. W. C. Blair; Friar Tuck, Mr Payze; Much (the Miller’s son), Mr S. Hanna; Holy Palmer, Mr R. Mclndoe ; Sheriff Jof Nottingham, Mr Gordon Hirst.

The solo of Robin Hood, " Hark, Hark ! Away,” was nicely rendered by Mr Humphries, who possesses a rich tenor voice, which he used to advantage. The work of the chorus at the conclusion of tbe number l was splendidly done, all voices harmonising well together the also especially doing splendid work. Little John’s solo " Hark, the Huntsman’s Horn,” was well interpreted by Mr Scott, and the chorus “ Away to the Chase, Away,” was treated in an excellent manner, the attack and precision being all that could be desired, the dim passage at the end being a really fine effort.

The recitative " Hark, ‘tis the Sound ot the Forestor Bold ” (Maid Marian) was clearly and distinctly rendered by Mrs Axford, as was also her solo,

" Sweet Pretty Bird,” and were indeed a treat. The subsequent chorus was nicely taken up, the pp passage being well sustained and nicely in tune. In ** The Merry Men and the Ontlaw King ” (Little John) Mr Soott sustained his reputation. In the recitative " Sweet Echo ” (Maid Marion), Mrs Axford was heard at her best, the difficult trills and turns being negotiated with ease, the cadenza at the conclusion being distinctly good. The madrigal “ Sweet Echo ” brought the first act to a close. In this the chorus entered into the number with great attack and precision, while all parts were well rendered. The altos were again especially good, the audience demanding an encore. The second act was opened by the orchestra with “May Day,” and the wedding of Robin Hood and Maid Marion. Mr Payze (Friar Tuck) handled his solo in a masterly manner, the audience demanding

an encore. The Wedding March was well rendered by the orchestra. " Ave Maria,” by the chorus, proved the gem of the evening, the dim passages being well sustained and clear, and in this the basses excelled themselves. The duet “ I’ll Love Thee Still ” (Robin Hood and Maid Marion) was excellently rendered by Mrs Axford and Mr Humphries, their voices blending nicely, and at the conclusion received a well merited encore. Friar Tuck’s solo “ With a Ho 1 Ho ! was treated excellently by Mr Payze. The chorus " WeMl Dance, We’ll Sing” was in keeping wiffi the rest of the work performed by the members. The third act was an interpretation of the capture of Will Scarlett by the Sheriff of Nottingham, charged with killing the king’s deer. He is imprisoned in Nottingham Castle and condemned to death. Just as the execution is about to take place Robin Hood and his meirie men arrive and effect the rescue. A trumpet call is heard, and Much, the Miller’s 'son announces the news of the capture. The subsequent recitative was dearly and nicely rendered by Mr Hanna. The solo "To Arms” was Mr Humphries’ last effort, lthe solo suiting his voice to a nicety. “ Haste to the Rescue ” was fairly Iveli rendered by the chorus, but was not in keeping with the rest of the parts rendered, the difficult nature of this chorus being no doubt responsible for this The Recitative by the Holy Palmer, who visits Will Scarlett in prison, was well rendered by Mr R. Mclndoe, and more should be heard of this young man at local concerts. Tbe solo " resignation.” by YV ill Scarlett was correctly sung by the Rev. Blair, as also his recitative with Robin Hood and the Sheriff, the last named being well and nicely interpreted by Mr G. Hirst. The Choruses " Down With the Normans,” and " Huirah to the Wood, Away.” was well rendered. The Round M With a Down, Down Derry,” proved to be a very pleasing item, and the concluding chorus " We’ll Trip it Merrily O’er the Lee,” full deserved the encore it received, The singing of the iNational Anthem by the Society and audience brought; a highly successful conceit to a close,