THE MALE CHOIR.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 November 1920, Page 5

THE MALE CHOIR.

LAST NIGHT'S CONCERT. The concert given last night in the Empire Theatre by the New Plymouth Male Choir drew an audience at once numerous and appreciative. The membership of the choir as set flown on the programme is hardly aa numerous aa on the last occasion, but practically the full strength of the society was on the platform, indicating greater interest on the part of the members, and a determination to present a more finished programme. From recollections of the last concert there appears to be an advance made in their work. Much greater attention has evidently been given to the light and shade, variety in time, etc. Articulation, though by iiq means good yet, and at times totally Tost, is certainly better, attacks more firm, balance generally good, often really well done. The addition of some more second basses would produce a greater massivencss in volume of tone, now rather lacking in the heaviest passages. The opening item, a part song by Laurent de Rille. wan ? number hardly suited to concert purposes; the scenes in the arena are scarcely fitting themes to set to music; and while the rendition was generally well done, with determination and precision, the choir was not big enough to make the most of the forceful and dramatic passages that occur. The next choir item was the popular "Evening," by Franz Alt. It was quite tiieir best piece of work. Sung without accompaniment, tlie two verses were kept exactly to pitch, and when repeated there was no trace of variation. Mr. B. r. Bellringer's solo part in this was capitally done; the whole number was excellent. Rudley Buck's cantata, "The Nun of Nidaros," was their next number. The work was heard here for the first time, and is well worthy of repetition at a future concert. It "was here that the lack of clearness in enunciation was most noticeable; at times two or three consecutive lines were totally missing. This can certainly he easily remedied with care during rehearsal. An important solo part was taken by Mr. F, Hooker. To be quite candid, his voice was hardly big enough for the work, his words were hardly heard, and his voice hardly carried over the building: but it was a difficult solo, and the building is not tlie most suitable for good vocal results. But it is worth hearing again, and certainly j\t the close the whole situatian was well worked up to a spirited climax. Before their final number there was interposed a chorus not 011 the programme, roepated from last concerl. Perhaps its inclusion was hardly neces parv, considering the length of the con eert and the number of encores. The choir closed the concert with a fairly satisfactory and spirited of the Soldiers' Chorus from "Faust." The society have never been more fortunate in their choice of assisting artists than when they asked Miss T. McEnroe to sing last, night. Possessed of a voice with plenty of power, beautifully placed, good compass and flexibility, she. certainly was an attraction well worth hearing. Her Jewel Song from "Faust.' 1 showed the eare and finish in her training, her shakes being beautifully sung. For a well deserved encore she sang the ever popular "Dawn." In the Dvorak number she was possibly hardly so effective, but in Cowen'.s "A Birthday" she was very fine. Beautifully full and clear, her voice rang all over the guilding. In the next number, by Liza Lehmarin, the true artist shone out clearly; it was splendidly sung. Both her encore numbers, concluding with "Believe me, if all those endearing," were most, tastefully and delightfully rendered. Mr. A. Sturrock played her accompaniments with his usual cave and judgment. The other visiting artist was an elocutionist, Culford Bell, who selected from a varied repertoire some capital exhibitions of elocutionary work. The public readily caught 011 to his advice about the "Health ITabit,'' and his first encore number., "Shut t p," evidently went home, particularly his last words to the benedicts in the audience. His Shakespearean number was a good display of change of voice in varied impersonations, and he heh?"tlie audience throughout, convulsing everybody by his Lamentations of a Commercial Traveller." The accompaniments to the society were played by Mr Harold Morey. They would have been ipore effective had they been played with much greater firmness. In the Soldiers' Chorus the accompanimental worl; is quite distinct from the choral, and is easily made very effective. Mi. F. W. McLood conducted with his usual care.

Tlio second concert of the season will take place to-niylit.