Choral Society.

Thames Star, Volume XIV, Issue 4639, 16 November 1883, Page 2

Choral Society.

The Thames Choral Society are to be congratulated on the success, from a musical point of view, which attended their second concert given last; night. There was a good attendance, the front seats being well patronised, while the pit and gallery were only moderately filled. The first part of the programme consisted of " Weber's Massjin G," a work which it is needless to say is one requiriog every accessory, vocal and inn strumental, *■■ to do it full justice. The " Kyrie elieson" was taken in excellent time, but shewed clearly that the male voioes in the Society require augmentation. The sopranos were clear and full, but the tenors were most decidedly the weak element in the rendition of this number. In the '• Gloria " Mrs Kilgour's short solo parts were done full justice to, more especially the "Dotnine Deus." The tenor solo was carefully and accurately given, but a greater clearness and power would have rendered it more acceptable. The efforts of the contralto (Miss S. Coney) fairly aroused the enthusiasm of the audience, who were —it must be said—somewhat unappreciatire during the first half of the programme. Tbis, of course, may be partially accounted for by the fact that the music was not .very well known, and not of a class calculated to attract the popular ear. The-M Credo " was given with great vigor, and one of the gems of the Mass was Mrs Kilgour's execution of the passage commencing," Et incarnatus est,": which was sung with feeling and a thorough appreciation of the words and' music. Perhaps it was owing ,to the length of .this number that a little unevenness was observable in the chorus towards, its conclusion. The following item, the " Sanctus," was not commenced well, but the voices appeared to soon get on good terrus, and as it approached the end great spirit was thrown into it. As a whole it was, perhaps, the best rendered part of the Mass. The " Benedietus," quartette occurring in the " Sanotus," was excellently rendered by Mrs Kilgour (soprano), Miss S. Coney (contralto), and Messrs Airey and Coney (tenor and. bass respect tively). The last number executed was the " Agnus Dei," the solo of which was taken by Misa S. Coney, and the applause which followed her singing\pf the somewhat difficult music allotted to her was well deserved. 'This talent d young vocalist has, by her last night's efforts, created an impression on her hearers which even time will not remove. As might have been expected there were some mistakes made in the matter of pronunciation, but it would be captious criticism to pointedly refer to them. The second portion of the entertainment opened with an overture by the orchestra, and the careful execution of it,: more especially by the violins, shews how careful and steady their practices have been. The part song, "Good night beloved " followed, and was correctly given. Mr Vowles came next with "Iseekfor theem every flower/ and very: * tastefully sang this pleasing ballad, displaying the natural vocal gift he is the fortunate. posiasaor of, to great advantage. The foldier's chorus from the

" Daughter, of the Regiment " with an introductory solo by Miss Coney, started under some little difficulty in the way of time, but the " soldiers " worked up to a very satisfactory conclusion, and the fair soloist was deservedly applauded. A quintette, in which Mrs Kilgour, Miss Coney, and Messrs Steward, Coney, and Airey took part, was one of the most attractive items in the second part. The trio, " Oh, how His Art," from Norma, was well rendered by Mrs. Kilgour, Miss Belcher, and Mr Steward. Messrs Airey, Steward, and Coney did full justice to the trio, "Wine, the Magician," and the duet, " My Boat is Waiting," by the Misses Coney, met with a well deserved encore. The performance wound up with the Gipsies Chorus from the Bohemian Girl. We^have followed the programme above, and we now have to deal \ withran innovation which was as pleasurable as it was unexpected. In lieu of a number on it, Mrs Kilgour sang, " Tell me my Heart," as every one who has ever heard Mrs Kilgour sing knows she can do, to perfection, and in response to a rapturous encore she delighted the audience with "Stay with me." Mrs Kirkpatriek rendered valuable assitance at the piano. Mr Owen deserves credit, for the care shown in the choruses, and Mr G. Beale was an efficient leader of the orchestra. ■