THE MALE CHOIR.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 June 1921, Page 5

THE MALE CHOIR.

LAST NIGHT’S CONCERT. AN ENJOYABLE PROGRAMME. The attendance at the New Plymouth Male Choir concert.last evening was a whole-hearted expression of kindly interest and goodwill towards this organisation, which has, in face of great difficulty, kept together, and is evidently taking pains to raise the standard of its work, and give a more finished performance on each occasion of their public appearance. Despite a very threatening evening, the Empire Theatre was well filled, and though the heavy rain frequently marred the pleasure of many a light and dainty passage iu chorus, song', and recitation, yet the interest of the audience was well sustained throughout, encores being frequently asked and as cheerfully given.

In the choir numbers part songs by Henry Leslie always find a welcome place. Amongst writers of past years, few understood more exactly the possibilities of a male voice combination, and how to produce effects pleasing, musical and often dramatic. The opening number by the choir was sung with plenty of abandon and good declamatory vigor. Mannder’s “Song of the Northmen,” was also splendidly sung, and at times the full tone of the choir was really full and bold. Coleridge Taylor’s part song, "Loud Sang the Spanish Cavalier,*’ was a number well worth repetition; the members seemed at times a little uncertain, but the number, though short, is a good piece of part writing, and a little more preparation will well repay the effort, as at times there are plenty of pitfalls which need much careful singing. A transcription of Schubert’s well-known “Serenade,” was perhaps the least satisfactory of all their efforts. The quiet pleading and tenderness of the song is almost impossible of rendition by a chorus, unless perhaps under ideal conditions by a welltrained chorus of perfect vocalisation. The effort was good, but it is doubtful if the work lent itself to such a combination.

The organisation has been responsible for the introduction of many visiting artists,, and it is safe to say that the assistance of Miss Rosa Alba was a great feature, and the lady is to be congratulated on the success of her appearance, and the society also on having secured so capable a singer. Tn all her numbers she displayed a well-placed voice, with hardly any trace of a brehk, her middle register being particularly -full, and her upper register easily taken, with notes of clear, full tone and noi a trace of harshness or thinness. The audience were quick to find in Miss Alba a singer with charming personality, and one who knew her work, and capable of carrying her audiences with her. Her songs were all of them calculated to display her facility of execution and faultless intonation, her eollative passages being sung with perfect ease, while in “Ma Curly Headed Babby” she showed her tastefulness and perfect sympathy. Miss Gladys Gamman is a. young lady elocutionist from Tauranga. She has certainly a good future before her, as she evinced a capable training and has a capital grasp of expression and possibilities of vocal color. The storm outside militated somewhat against her voice carrying to the fullest extent, but the theatre is a building in which only an experienced speaker can be heard tp full advantage. The audience were very decided in their recalls, to which Miss Gamman readily responded, and always succeeded in sustaining the good impression she had made.

In the unavoidable absence of Miss Denby, her place on the programme was filled at short notice by Mr. Arnold O. Sturrock, who, beside playing pianoforte solos in his usual careful and pleasing style, accompanied the musical monologues of Miss Gamman and songs of Miss Rosa Alba. Mr. Harold Morey accompanied the choral numbers, and Mr. F. W. G. McLeod conducted in his usual careful style. To him undoubted credit is due of much careful preparation of the concerted numbers.