CHORAL SOCIETY.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 October 1922, Page 4

CHORAL SOCIETY.

PERFORMANCE OF “MARITANA.” A full and appreciative audience greeted the New Plymouth Choral Society last night to hear their performance of Wallace’s ever-popular “Maritana,” and frequently and unstintingly expressed their approval of the different numbers, solo, concerted, and choral. The society made a good choice in their selection' of solo voices, the different members of the quintet being thoroughly up to their work and entered into the singing of their different parts with the utmost enthusiasm. Of them all, Mr. Arthur Ripley as Don Caesar was the most successful, and all bis singing of heavy and exacting music was a very great pleasure. Special mention must be made of “There is a Flower that Bloometh,” in*Act 11, which was sung with great beauty of tone, and a most decided encore was demanded and given. This was his best and most effective effort, and was well done. The part of Lazarillo was well sustained by Mrs. Wilkes, and in “Alas! Thos Chimes,” and in the duet with Maritana, ‘‘Sainted Mother,” she sang with her usual care and finish. For “The Romance” the audience asked for an encore, but, considering the length of the programme, she wisely declined to sing it again. Mrs. Alcorn, in the title role, was very successful. The part is one of greet length, and makes big.demands on the soloist. Mrs. Alcorn deserves every commendation for the successful results of her work. In solo and concerted numbers alike, she sang with the greatest care. In “ ’Tis the Harp in the Air” and “Scenes that are Brightest,” she raised the audience to keenest enthusiasm, and in the latter case Mrs. Alcorn responded to a very emphatic recall. Mr. Lance Craig is a new soloist here, and expectation was rather keen as to what his capabilities were. “In Happy Moments” he desrved the encore asked for and given, and in every way he well sustained the part of Don Jose. Mr. McDonald, as The King, fully sustained the part. The only solo allotted was “The Mariner in the Barque,” which he sang well and most effectively; but in the concerted numbers he was in every sense thoroughly satisfying, and was in good voice. The chorus work was not much in evidence, but whenever they had a chance they took full advantage of it and entered well into the whole spirit of their work. Their tone was full and round; parts were quite well balanced, and they were altogether well trained and in good form. The finale to Act. II was very well worked up. Mrs. Fredric was a strength in her piano accompaniments, and a small orchestra, perhaps at times a little uncertain, also assisted. Mr. R. L. Cooper conducted with the greatest care.