MALE CHOIR.

Taranaki Daily News, 31 October 1919, Page 3

MALE CHOIR.

SUCCESSFUL CONCERT.

The New Plymouth Male Choir opened their third season last night with a successful concert given in the Cool Templar Hall before a good audience. Though the chorus was smaller than hitherto the choir suffered nothing on that account. In fact the balance was probably better than with the larger number. Of the part songs given the best item of the evening was "Every Rustling Tree" (Kuhlau) which was' sung with due attention to the need for a subdued effect. The choir was also heard to advantage in Pinsuti'a "In the Hour of Softened Splendour," Other songs of a more rollicking character were "Rataplau" (arranged by J. Otto from Donizetti's "La Figlia"), and "Song of the Northman" (Maunder), while still another and more sober school of music was represented in Arthur Somerwell's "Soldier Rest" and Jan Broeckx' "They Cannot Kill the Soul." For the latter number the choir received a recall and gave "The Bells of St. Mary's," Mr. Baden Bellringer singing the solo, the choir giving a harmonised choral accompaniment to the refrain. A humorous item was also given in which the choir gave a representation of a town, council meeting, the particular "question" under discussion being whether or not "Westown" should have a tTam. The item afforded a good deal of amusement. The principal assisting artist for the concert was Mr. Fred. G. Bourke (baritone), of Auckland, who created a very favorable impression, and was enthusiastically encored for each of his numbers. In the second half of the programme he had to decline an insistent demand for a third appearance. Mr. Bourke has a clear, rich voice, robust, and of fine timbre, which he uses with great judgment and skill, and his presentation of the songs selected for last; night's concert was a most musicianlv" performance. He sing? with perfect j ease; his enunciation is clear and distinct, and the wealth of tone coloring with which he clothes his songs is a splendid lesson in the art of vocalisation. His programme numbers included del RiegoVA Castilian Lament" and 'I "Absent yet Present" (Valerie White), and for encores he sang "My Heart's Desire," "If You Would Love Me," "t Hear a Thrush at Eve," and "The Mountains o' Mourne." Mrs. Stuart Russell was much appreciated for her elocution items and received encores on each occasum. In the first part she gave "All the World's a Stage," from Shakespeare's "As You Like It." and for an encore "Sir Cupid." Later she appeared in the divorce scene from Henry VIII, reciting Queen Katbcrine's speech to the King. For an encore she gave Portia's address to ShvJock, usually known by the familiar words, '-'The Quality of Mercy is not Strained" (from "The Merchant of Venice"). The last was undoubtedly her best number. Messrs W. Putt and F. Asher sang the duet.. "The Battle Eve" (Bon)ieur) for which they were encored, and they responded with the well-known "Nocturne." Miss Hope Asher played the accompaniment. Mrs. P. Frederic played the accompaniments for Mr. Bourke's songs, and also contributed as a solo the Sonata. "Allegro Vivace," Op. 2 No. 2 (Beethoven), and had to respond to an encore, the audience thus showing their apnreciation of her work. Mr. J. Russell Grave played the accompaniments for the choir numbers and Mr F. W. G. McLeod conducted. Th« concert will be repeated tonight