CONCERT AT GERALDINE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1140, 16 February 1884, Page 3

CONCERT AT GERALDINE.

On Wednesday night last the second concert under the auspices of the Geraldine Philharmonic Society was in th ß Oddfellows' Hall, Geraldine. There was a large attendance. The programme opened with Dr Whitfield's anthem, 'ln Jewry is God known,' which was rendered fairly. This was followed by a song by Miss Bosswell, ' Wings,' and 'ln Native Worth,' by Mr T. Slienatt (not T. Dunlop, as per programme.) Mr Sherratt was evidently suffering from the effects of a cold, which greatly marred bis sioging. A quartette was next well rendered by Mr, Mrs and Master Edmonds and Mr Willoughby. Master Edmonds possesses a nice voice, and with care will no doubt become an accomplished singer. A song, 'The Golden Ladder,' by Mrs Glass, followed, and Mr Willoughby sang * N«zareth' in his usual fine style. The rendering of ' I know that my Redeemer Liveth,' by Miss Hamilton, was very correct. * Ave Sanctissima,'a duet by Mrs Glass and Miss Andrews, was the gem of the eveniag, and the audience expressed their appreciation in a very marked manner. A selection from 'The Mes&iab,' including the quartette ' Since by Man came Dfath,' chorus ' By Man came also,' the quartette ' For as in Adam,' and the chorus 'Even so in Christ,' concluded the first part. This was given in good style by the members of the Society and showed what they are cappble of doing. Nevertheless it was a fact patent to all that 'The Messiah' is too heavy an Oratorio to be attempted by such a small Society. It ueeds a very strong string band in order to make it anything like a success. As these cannot at preseut be obtained in Geraldine it would be well if the Society were to content itself with simpler yet good music. Jt was painfully apparent that if it had not been for the artistic accompaniment of Miss A. Fish on the pianoforte at least one singer would have broken down. The second part of the programme was infinitely better than the first, as the singers hud, in a great measure, got over their nervousness, It opened with the chorus, * Behold the Lamb of God,' by the members of the Society. This was a great improvement, and evidently encouraged the singers who were to follow. Master Sionehouse capitally rendered that difficult air ' He w;>s despised.' The next item was the song, 'To Thee Alone,' by Miss Dunlop, which was rendered very distinctly and in good Btyle. Mr Edmonds followed with the recit. from Haydn ' And God said,' aud the air ' Now Heaven in Fullest Glory Shone.' The duet'Too Latb,' by Mrs Edmonds and Miss Hamilton, was followedtby a bolo by Miss Andrews ' But Thou didst not leave,' and a trio, 'Angry Words,' ably sung by Mr, Mrs and Muster Edmonds. 'ln Thee, 0 Lord, do I put my Trust' was rendered by Miss Fish with her usual artistic ability. Miss A. Fish played as a pianofore solo a ' Pastoral Symphony' from Handel which was a most enjoyabla treat. The Society then sang the chorus ' Glory to God,' and the singing of the National Amhem. ' God Save the Queen,' terminated the concert. Prior to the rendering of the latter, Mr Edmonds, on behalf of the Society, thanked tho audience for their attendance, and intimated that the Society had been requested to assist in giving a concert at the formal opening of the Good Templar Hall, in about three weeks' time, when some of their pieces of music would be repeated. He concluded by paying a well-merited compliment to the Misses Fish, for their kindness in assisting the Society in the energetic manner they had, Mr Edmonds conducted the concert, and much credit is due to him for the manner in which he trained the members of the Society to render the various choruses.