MALE CHOIR CONCERT.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 October 1922, Page 4

MALE CHOIR CONCERT.

A GREAT SUCCESS. A programme of outstanding merit was presented at the New Plymouth Male Choir Society’s concert last night. New Plymouth in the past has enjoyed many good concerts, and it has ait times suffered others where the offering has not been so good, but last night s concert must undoubtedly go into the former category, where it will live with the memories of the best ever put before a local audience. The outstanding performance was that of Miss Mary Cooley, of Wellington, who was recently very successful in the competitions there. Miss Cooley contributed monologues, recitations and character sketches. In all she showed ability rarely ’’equalled on the professional stage; her portrayal of “Madame Du Farge,” the wine seller of Dickins’ “Tale of Two Cities,” was an exhibition of dramatic force, of facility in sinking her own personality into the vengeful tirade of a downtrodden woman awaiting the coming of the revolution that, she might obtain revenge for her wrongs, and of an ability to grip her audience and bring them into sympathy with the part. Her monologues were “Orange Blossoms,” a tale of the revenge of a Chinese husband, and the simple “Playmates.” The recitations were in humorous vein. “Keeping a Seat at the Matinee” being the chief, and they were splendidly rendered. In the selections given by the Male Choir—“ The Boy in Blue,” what of the Night?” and “Evening’— they lived up to their reputation. The balancing of the voices was good, and the notes -were well sustained, enabling the conductor (Mr. F. W. G. McLeod) to obtain very good effects. Messrs. W. L. Hay and A. B. Macdbnald took the solo parts in the Second piece, while Mr. B. Bellringer had the honor in “Evening.” In each case the singing was particularly good. The two first mentioned, also rendered a number of solos, Mr. Macdonald’s fine bass voice being very pleasing in Alfred Hill’s “Tangi” and Allitson’s “The Lute Player,” while in lighter vein he rendered “Hats off to the Stoker” and “Turn ye tae Me ” Mr. Hay was also excellent in Bluementhal's “The Message,” responding with “Alabama” for a wellmerited encore. The Melody Four — Messrs. F. A. Hooker, W. P. Okey, B. Bellringer, and A. B. Macdonald—were recalled three times after their rendering df Bucks “In Absence.” Their voices are pleasant and w’ell balanced and their items were well worth hearing. On the instrumental side of the programme, pride of place must be given to the piano solos of Miss Mary Crawshaw, who, later on, was joined by her sister, Miss Elva Crawshaw, in two pianoforte duets. Both these little tots showed a mastery of the instrument and an ability to interpret Schubert and Hunten that fully justified the enconiums heaped upon them by the examiner at the recent musical examinations. McR. H. Bartley and S. Cottier, in their instrumental duet, “Lo, JJear the Gentle Lark!” were also very good and were warmly received, while the Savage Club orchestra gave a pleasing rendering of the Mikado Waltzes. A word should be said of the accompanists, of whom Mr. Harold Morey was the chief. With Mr. Frederics and Miss Avis<lreig he contributed materially in the various items, playing the accompaniments in a manner which enabled the particular performer to give of his best.