THE MALE CHOIR.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 June 1922, Page 5

THE MALE CHOIR.

LAST NIGHT’S CONCERT. The concert given in the Empire Theatre last evening was in every way 3 most decided success. It is many years since so well rendered chorus work has been heard here. The interest of the evening centred round F. David’s odcsymphonie, “Le Desert,” in which the combined choirs of Hawera and New Plymouth male choir organisations were, ably assisted hy Mr. E. Drake in the vocal solos, and Mr. F. Ackroyd, who recited the descriptive recitations. The work abounds with color and atmosphere, the solemn grandeur of the desert, the wild, fierce simoon, the hymn of devotion to Allah, the lovely ode to night, and the march of the caravan, all help to make up a highly remarkable piece of programmewriting. The most successful solo was the “Ode to Night,” in which Mr. Drake sang with great success and beauty. The chorus in praise of Allah was very majestic—the tone magnificently rich. It was very thrilling and really worth praise. The tenor solo, “Evening Meditation,” was also very vzeil done, the choral refrain at the conclusion being most effective. Another striking choral number was the “Departure of the Caravan.” In this the orchestra recapitulated themes heard previously, which were enhanced by an excellent and difficult oboe solo, playing an ( obligato melody against chorus orchestra. The whole production reflects greatest credit on solo, chorus, orchestra and conductor alike. Mr. M'Leod had gathered together a small hut most effective orchestra, whose playing was quite a treat. Following Mr. Drake’s “Ode to Night,” which accompaniment they played with the greatest, care and delicacy, they followed with the “Dance of the Dancing Girls,” when a very interesting duel occurred between oboe and clarinet. Mention must be made of the “Chant of the Muezzin,” which Mr. Drake sang magnificently. This is founded on a genuine Arabic melody. The whole work was worthily rendered and will live long in the memory. The first part of the programme consisted of two part-songs by the local male choir and two songs by the visiting choir. The Hawera choir was ,a very well balanced body of 23 members, and both in their set. numbers and in their encore, “Lull Me to Sleep,” they displayed a splendid wealth of tone and balance. Their first tenors were very good, with a clear, bright quality, and the basses were round and rich, articulation crisp and clear smart, in attack, and well graded in neuances. Mr. Drake sang as his first solo “Vesti la Giubba,” from Pagliacci, and for encore, “Take a Pair of Sparkling Eyes;” and in response to a determined recall, “La donna Mobile.” He was in excellent voice and sang with all possible emotion. The accompaniments were played by the accompanist of the'Hawera choir and Mr. H. Morey, of the New Plymouth choir. The Hawera conductor was responsible for the visiting numbers, while Mr. F. W. G. M'Leod conducted for the local choir, and also for the big choral work, which was a genuine success.