"Judas Maccabæus."

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 251, 20 November 1903, Page 2

"Judas Maccabæus."

A large audience assembled at the Whitley Memorial Church last night, to hear Handel's oratorio, " Judas Maccabaeua," given by the Wesley&a' choir with the assistance of a nuinr- . ber of local residents. We regret that the orchestra was not mojwV numerous as im portions of the oratorio want of practice was noticeaMe.' The orchestral portions of the work, is particularly descriptive, and re-' quires careful interpretation. Th* vocal solos, calling for particular ." mention were .those rendered by Mia* Rimmer, of Auckland, whose clear soprano voice and enunciation were perfect. She waa heard to the beat advantage in the solo, "So shall '. the Luto and Harp Awake." Ons of the great charms about Miss Rimmer's singing is her sympathy with the words of the solos. Mr Ryan, who took the oass part, sang his portions of the music in good style, and was tuneful throughout. Miss Nixon, a local debutante, Ja to be congratulated on the way -i» which she rendered her contralto solos, and also the duets with Miss Rimmer. These two ladies sang theduet, " O, Lovely J'eace," with great taste and expression, and the au«tience demanded an encore. The tenor solos were divided up, which, W regret were necessary. It seems •to us that it would have been possible '• to have selected one voice to talcs these items. In th'is portion of the solo work it may by mentioned th*t the singers appeared ovcrwelghed, • btot did their level best to fill in ths' part at. short nbticc. Taken as • a whole the .rendering *as decidedly creditable, considering the small number of voices and orchestra, and was certainly enjoyable, and in the interests of good music we hope that .the management will ua their way clear to put on a similar work at an early date. The conductor is to : bo congratulated on the excellent results achieved. The pianiste was Mr S. Newton, organist Mr H. *T. White, and the leader of the orchestra'Mr A. s'. Cooke. Amongst the choruses, which were all really well rendered, that of J 'We will never bow down" was by far ths tost. In several parts of the v&rioi* choruses the members took but little notice of the "pianos " and "fortes"' or the conductor's baton.