THE MALE CHOIR.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 September 1921, Page 4

THE MALE CHOIR.

LAST NIGHT’S CONCERT. Considering the very unsettled state of the weather, a very satisfactory audience greeted the New Plymouth Male Choir at their concert Jast night, and the audience was evidently in an expectant and affirmative mood, and gave close attention to the different items that made up a varied programme. On this occasion the Male Choir had secured the services of Mr. Ernest Drake, of Auckland, who possesses a tenor voice of considerable range and plenty of power. It is to be hoped he may be able to sing again in New Plymouth, when the public may look forward with much pleasure to a singer who shows the results of careful training and some insight into the significance of what he sings. He was evidently suffering from the after effects of a heavy . cold, and though he did all that wa> possible to overcome this great disability, there was, of course, wanting that agreeable smoothness of tone so inseparable from a lyric tenor.' In his ballad numbers he was mast completely at home, being particularly pleasing in his series of three bracketed numbers. His singing of “Linden. Lee”, by Vaughan Williams, was ’ y far his best work of the evening. His rticulation was a* all times very clear; in tact, he seemed at times almost to speak his songs. The elocutionist was Mr. A. L. Moore, who has not previously been heard on the concert platform. He certainly was at home in those inimicable Australian sketches by C. J. Dennis, and the Little Burke Street recounting of Shakespeare’) “Romeo and Juliet” was splendidly por trayed. If Mr. Moore could make his voice carry further he would be much more effective. Several times the lightest pianoforte notes in the different monologue* were sufficient to smother his articulation, except to those immediately in front oi him, and at the back of the theatre much could not possibly have been heard. The theatre is not a good place for sound, but drawing-room style is very different to the requirements of the concert platform. In the different numbers by the choir there was evidence of some bard work, but they lack a clear and clean articulation. Their most effective work was in the two part-songs by Elgar, both of which were closely listened to, and much appreciated by the audience. In the other items then work was not as satisfactory as it has been on several occasions. Results of thia sort can only be attained by hard work, and the choir may be assured of a ready response by the public and appreciation oi efforts well sustained. Messrs. Hooker Okey, North and Macdonald made a decided hit with their well-sung quartettes though nothing new was introduced. The nmsh and care with which each number was sung was very refreshing and much enjoyed. Mr. Harold Morey was the accompanist, of the evening, and Mr F W G McLeod conducted the numbers sung’ bv the choir. 6 J