MALE CHOIR CONCERT.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 May 1918, Page 8

MALE CHOIR CONCERT.

ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL PERFORMANCE. Further testimony to the popularity of tlie New 'Plymouth Male Choir was given last night, when, at the second performance of their final concert for the season, though the weather was even more unfavorable than on the opening night, there was again a large audience present. The programme from beginning to end went with a lightsome lilt that made the concert most enjoyable. Encores were freely demanded and readily given, the concert not being concluded till a late hour. The choir sang with more abandon than on Thursday night, and their work was much better. . The items were the same as on the. first night, with the exception that the jovial hunting song "To the Death" was substituted for "Merry May," the latter being sung as an encore. In response to a recall for "The Voice of the Torrent" the choir sang a very pleasing little study of Franz Abt's, entitled "Evening." This was probably the best item of the evening, the solo part, by Mr. N. Day, being very effective. As an encore to "Allan Water" the choir gave "Lead, KindljLight," Mr. F, Hooker taking the solo to an accompaniment hummed by the other voices.

The vocalists were again accorded flattering receptions, double encores being demanded in each case. Mrs. McLaren repeated the songs given on Thursday in the first half. In the second part she opened with an excellent interpretation of Henderson.s "Friend o' Mine," and responded with a monologue entitled "Christmas Bells." Mrs. McLaren posBesses a clear, resonant voice, well adapted for this class of work. Her final song was "Flurette." The Rev. N. H. Papakakura repeated his songs of the previous evening, and gave as encores Alfred Hill's "Waiata Poi" and Coningsby Clarke's touching little melody, "You'll get lots o' lickin's."

Messrs. 'Papakakura and Norman Dayrepeated their duets of the previous evening, with even more acceptance, and the quartette party of the choir gave '"Four Jolly Smiths," and, for an encore, "Oh, Sorrow Not" (Truhn). Mr. Arnold 0. Sturrock gave an ex* cellent performance of Chaminade's "Automne," and, for an encore, played Binding's "Rustle of Spring." Mr. McLeod's cornet solos, which were greatly appreciated, were, "The Lost Chord" (Sullivan) and Hoch's "Nordischo Fantasie."

Mr. Sturrock sustained the role of accompanist in musicianly manner, and Mr. McLeod conducted.