MALE CHOIR CONCERT.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 March 1919, Page 5

MALE CHOIR CONCERT.

A SUCCESSFUL PERFORMANCE. _ The largo audience which filled the? hmpire Theatre last night was a great compliment to the New Plymouth Male Choir Society, and the enthusiastic appreciation with which all the items were received showed that they had suffered nothing in lha public esteem by their enforced long recess on account of the epidemic. In a short explanatory note in the programme reference was mads to this, and the scarcity of choir mem' bers was attributed to* the short timo at the disposal of the choir to prepare for last night's concert, and their anxiety to keep faith with their subscribers and the public, and to give the requisite period for preparation for the final concert of the season. The conductor, in aD announcement to the audience, Raid th»' choir intended making that "the" concert of tlm season, and he has created an expectation which bids fair to be completely fulfilled. Thfl' choir opened last night with an arrangement of "The British Grenadiers" (Fletcher), which was given with much spirit, and created a good impression. Tn -StorcVa "«attl» Prayer" -the atmosphere of devotion was splendidly developed. Tn Gounod's "Soldier's Chorus" ("Faust") a good deal of lifeVas enthused into the number. The choir's item was Pinsuti's beautiful part song, "In This Hour of Softened Splendour." which was sung With studied appreciation of its sentiment. The choir is to be complimented on its performance list night, and with a little closer attention to clear enunciation and a correction of some of the vowel?, their work should hold its own with that of kindred organisations Their balance was for the most part good, and more attention was paid to the blinding of the parts. The quartette "Swedish Folk Song" (J-ungst), by Messrs. U Morrison, H. Bullin, F. Asher and F. T. Davis, was re-demanded, and the party repeated the item. The choir was assisted by several soloists, peerless amongst them being Mj&s Rene To An, of Hawera. She possesses a pure soprano voice of wonderful flexibility, and she was heard to advantage in her programme numbers, which included "Tho Birth of Morn" (Leoni), "A Request" (Woodford-.Finden), and "L'ete" (Chaminade), and for encores "he gave "Waiata Poi" (Hill), "A Birthday" (Cowen),. and "Tho Four-Leafed Glover" and "Cherry Blossoms" (Willoby). Miss E. Young, who has become a favorite with New Plymouth audiences, has an exceptionally good mezzo voice, which she uses with skill and taste, and her enunciation is pleasingly distinct. She sang Del Keiga's "Sink, Red Sun" (an exacting number), and for encore Ware's "Boat Song." Mr. W. C. Sheplev (Wanganui) created a great deal of enthusiasm over the revelation of concertina music which he gave. He lifted the instrument w far. away from tho realm with which it is usually associated that it is safe to say all who heard him went away with a new respect for it. Further, Mr. Slieplev played a distinctly high class of music, and presented it in an artistic manner. He thoroughly deserved the compliment paid him in the insistence on double encores. His numbers included Offenbach's "Barcarolle" (from "Tales of Hoffmann"), "Salute d'Amotir" (Elgar), and "Ruyawiafc" (a mazurka by Wilniansk'i, and for encore* he played Maacagni's "Intermezzo" from C'Cavalleria Rusticana"), Dvorak's "Humoresque," and the dainty little "Sunbeam an£ Shadow" by Kussner. The o + her assisting soloists were Mr. S. Tf. Dunstan and Mr. B. Bellringer. The former gave "The Sword of Ferrara" (Billiard) and "The Gav Cavalier." For an encore he sang Wallace's freebooter song, "Song of Mine." Mr. sang Tosti's "Vorrei" with much appreciation. and for an encore gave "Reouiem" (Homer). Mr. A. 0. Sturrock. the society's accompanist, carried his part through with his customary ability, and his assistance to the choir is something which they greatly appreciate. His solo. "Si Oiseau j'Etais" (Henselt) was flairtily played, and the encore, "Spinning Wheel" (Bendel) was equally appreciated. Mr. F. W. G. McLeod conducted the choir.