Choral Society's Concert.

Thames Star, Volume XVII, Issue 5283, 23 December 1885, Page 2

Choral Society's Concert.

The Thames Choral Society gave a very successful concert yesterday evening in the Pollen street Lecture Hall, which was very numerously attended by a highly appreciative audience. The feociety was well represented, though we missed from among tbe number several voices. The concert commenced with the pastoral cantata "The May Queen" by Sir W. Sterndale Bennett, full of light pleasing melodies and graceful harmonies. The several parts were as follows:—May Queen, Mrs Kilgour; Queen, Miss Coney; the lover of the May Queen, Mr Weston, and Robin Hood, Mr Adams. The scene of tbe cantata is laid at an old English rural fete, where the time honored May Pole forms a central figure, and the villagers have chosen their May Queen, duly installed in that enviable position, and all give themselves up to the innocent enjoyment of the hour, with an exception, the lover of the May Queen, who considers himself as beiDg forgotten for the time being. In the midst of the gaiety Robin Hood makes his appearance accompanied by his band of outlaws, and commences to make love to the May Queen, who seems disposed to coquet with the gallant forester, but on his attempting to take advantage of her hesitation and kiss her, she indignantly repulses him, and her lover rushes forward and strikes the bold offender. Of course thia leads to a general uproar and commotion, in the midst of which tbe Queen attended by her courtier makes her appearance, the lover is brought before her, and after a hearing is condemned for the crime he has committed. His sweetheart, however, so feelingly pleads on his behalf that the Queen grants him her rcyal pardon, and everything ends happily. The initial number " Awake, awake," and the chorus supposed to be sung as (be villagers are dancing round the May Pole, " With a laugh as we go round," were rendered in an excellent style, evincing careful practice. A duet by Mrs Kilgour and Mr Adam*, and more especially a trio by Mrs Kilgour, Messrs Adams and Weston," Shall a clown that beauty wear," were given with great effect and sweetness. As the Queen, Misi Coney acquitted her part with much credit, especially in a duet with Mrs Kilgour. Both Mr Adams and Mr Weston sustained their respective parts with the greatest success. Mr Adams' rendering of " 'Tis folly to hunt" being especially felicitous. The choruses throughout were rendered with most marked precision, showing the attention that had been given to their practice, and adding greatly to the success of the cantata. At this stage of the proceedings, a very pleasing feature, which was not on the programme, was introduced, viz , a presentation to Mr John Grigg, the very efficient conductor of the Eociety. Mr Kirkpatrick, as Vice-President, stepped forward, and in a few appropriate words stated that all present were no doubt fully aware of the services Mr Grigg had rendered to the Society ever since its initiation, and that though tbe members knew that they could give him nothing in anyway adequate to reward him for what he ba.d done for the Society, they wished to present him with some memento of their respect and esteem. Mrs Kirkpatrick] then on be half of the working members of the Choral Society, presented Mr Grigg with a handsome baton of inlaid wood, tipped at either end with greenstone and African stone, and having a gold plate bearing an, appropriate inspriptjon thereon commemorative of the event. Mr G.rigg briefly thanked the members for the very handsome testimonial of their apprepiqtjoa of his effbrts, whipb, however, woujd have been of little avail bad they not been supported by the uuirersal J.ve of music Qnd eaynest appliticn \o work wLioh bad been shown by all the members of the Society. After an interval of ten minutes, tba second part of the programme was preluded by a grand fantasia on the piano by Master H. #arry Qoney' on the air " Missa's under de cbld'sround," the execution of which was siraply'bqlliftnt, and elicited great applause/to whjah be Responded by play-, ing " The Armourer of Nantes," A duet, 14 Excelsior," sung by Mrs Kilgour and Mr Adams, was well rendered and highly applauded. "My Son," by Mr Coney, was given in this gentleman's best style, apd vyfts ye^ei?e<l with liiufjh commendation. A Rondo '" All' Ohgarese," by Mrs Kirkpatrick en the piano, Mr Beal» violin, and Mr Kirkpatrick violincello, was executed jo $ fpc^fc pleasing aad eijfectiye manner, after whiqh Mrs 3£ilgoyijr sang the spana ". Robert toi gui j'aime" in which she wag gre^tjy 8p« p!ni]de<}, h^topjy bowed in response to a repeated call for an enpore, The next piece on tbe programme, "Banish, Oh Maiden" a glee by Messrs Adaras, Grigg, Kirkpatrick, and Westou was well received, the chorus creating great amusement; and bejng encored \y<sa d^ly responded tp. Mrs Phillips' rendering of " Maggie's Secret" was very sweetly and tastefully rendered, and drew forth great ajjplijuse, sod as a.n epcore that lpdy gave "Tapping at the garden Gfate," which was ' also nipst favorably rpceived. Tbe concluding piece was a choral rrjarph •' Mei} pf HarU-ph"' by liifl whpie society, exrtutrd wiUi fine offtel aud proper spiiit. {More coocludiug with the

National Anthem, which brought a most enjoyable entertainment to a close, we must not forget the accompaniments in the Cantata were played by Master Coney, some of those for the songs of Mis Kirk> patrick. It is a matter of regret that this Choral Society is not stronger in point of numbers than it might be, were ! it better supported by the musical talent of the Thames. W« know that some persons hesitate about joining, thinking ' that to be a member, some considerable degree of musical proficiency is necessary. But tbis is quite a mistake. Any one who possesses a fair knowledge of music cannot fail to derive the greatest benefit and improvement from the practices of the Society.