CANTATA.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1943, 14 September 1889, Page 3

CANTATA.

“LIOB' OF JUDAH.” The above cantata was given last evening, under the couductoruhip of Mr W G. Rutland, in the Toiunlo.r Hall, Ternuk.. The performers, who numbered about 4U all told, were volunteers from the choirs of Chevarioos Churches, and have rehearsed for some time past under the baton of Mr Rutland. The attendance was small. The front seats were very nearly to I, but there was scarcely one. in the back, and those who ought to have been there were conspicuous by their absence. The following is the programme;— Opening March, Orchestra ; chorus. We Sing Emmanuel ” ; duet, “ Wildie Shepherds Watch,” Miss Guy and Mr Wbilejhead; chorus, “ Oh Be Not Dismayed, l?ull Company; chorus and duet, il Mortals Awake,” 3?ull Company, recitative and air, “Mary’s Joy, Miss GuV ; solo (soprano), “ The infant Jesus,' Ladv Voices in Unison ; quartette, “ Christ i» the Temple,” Misses Timson and Filbrow, and Messrs Storey and Robinson ; g'olo Cbass; Chns , t s Baptism,’ Mr E. V hTehead ;. pastorale. Orchestra; solo (tenor), “Christs •Mission," Mr Filbrow ; chorus and solos, “ Christ Heals the Sick,' Full Company ; duet. “ Bethany ” Misses Guy and Filbrow; quartette, “ Kedron.” Mrs B. Langr.dge, Miss Filbrow, Messrs Storey and Robxn-

son ; solo and chorus, “(Che Crucifixion,” Full Company ; Easter Hymn, Full Company ; quartette - (doable), “ Then Live Each Day,” Miss Foster and Mrs Langridge, Mias Pilbrow and Mrs E. Whitehead, Messrs Storey, Pilbrow, Robinson, and Hooper ; chorus, “ The Lion of Judah,” Full Company; chorus, “The Sons af Jubilee,” Full Company. The orchestra consisted of Messrs Wood (Ist violin), and E. Brown (2nd violin), Master Brown (2nd violin), Messrs J. B. Rutland (violinceilo), J. Andrews (clarionet), Bolston, Langridge, and Rayner (flutes), Harrison (cornet), Whitehead and Prattley (euphonium). The orchestra was excellent, and t,oo much could not be said for the music. The accompaniments of Mrs Foster on the organ deserve all praise, and the piece on the whole was produced in a manner that reflected great credit on the conductor, as well as on the performers. As we have already stated the principal soloist was Miss F, Guy, who must be complimented on the excellence of her singing. She has a beautiful soprano voice,the middle register being remarkable for its clearness, sweetness, and flexibility. I The upper and lower registers are not equal to the middle register, but gives evidence of being capable of cultivation, and will doubtless improve with practice. Mr Whitehead was in very good form, and we never heard Mr Pilbrow to greater advantage than in the exquisite solo “ Christ’s Mission.” He elicited the only encore of the evening. The Misses Timsoii and Pilbrow were also very good. In our opinion “The Crucifixion” was the, gem of the evening, with the exception of Miss Guy’s rendering of the solo ‘‘Bethany,” which suited her remarkably well. “The Infant Jesus” was also delightfully rendered, and so was the double duet in “ The Song of Jubilee.” The whole piece, in fact, was creditably rendered, and those who did not hear ■it have ’ missed a musical treat they are not likely to enjoy for a long time again. . We have to compliment Mr Rutland on the degree of perfection to which he brought the performers. At the close Mr Russell, Clerk of the Session of tho Presbyterian 'Church, thanked the performers for their kind assistance, and also those who had attended. Ho regretted that more were not present, as the performance was a treat they would not enjoy for a long time again.