Taihape choral extravaganza

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 5, Issue 23, 3 November 1987, Page 14

Taihape choral extravaganza

Cont'dfrom p. 13 The success of the oratorio was instantaneous and complete and it was repeated six times during the season. Handel himself conducted the work 38 times during the last twelve years of his life. The oratorio owed its in- . ception to the victory of William, Duke of Cumberland over Charles Edward the Pretender at the battle of Culloden on April 16, 1746. Much of the music of this great work is very well known. Airs such as 'Sound an alarm', 'How vain is man', 'So shall the lute and harp awake' and duets, 'O lovely peace' and 'Hail, Judea happy land' together with rousing choruses, 'See the conquering hero comes' and "Hallelujah - Amen", all make for exciting and compulsive listening. Marie O'Leary, the winner in 1986 of the Leslie Holland Memorial Scholarship for the highest marks awarded in the Royal Schools of Music Exams, is a pupil of Nita Oldham. She is the mother of two young children and has recently moved to the Taihape district where her husband has taken up a farm manager's position. Marie is the possessor of a lovely soprano voice which will be well suited to the florid passages of "So Shall the Lute and Harp" and "From Mighty Kings he took the spoil". Although this is her first venture into oratorio Marie has been involved in Wanganui Amateur and Dramatic Society shows such as Mikado (Yum-Yum), the Great Waltz (Resi Ebesder) and most recently she sang the role of Jenny Lind, the great Swedish soprano in the New Zealand Premier of "Barnum". Well known Wanganui bass Maurice Taylor brings a wealth of experience to the role of Simon, brother of Judas Maccabaeus. He has been involved with many of the country's major choral societies, has been a radio artist, has appeared on television and has sung for Royalty. Maurice has also sung with international soloists such as Kiri Te Kanawa, Heather Begg and Helen Watts, and has appeared with many international conductors with the NZSO. He continues to accept engagements from his home town of Wanganui. The keyboard plays a vital part in the score of Judas Maccabaeus and fillingi that role will be well known recitalist, broadcaster and concert pianist, Helen Collier. She recently presented a most successful recital at Akaroa and her expertise in this work will be appreciated. Helen is the musical director of the Arcadian Choir. The forces of singers and instrumentalists will be under the baton of Merle Fausett, musical director of the Tauranga Civic Choir. The whole occasion will be a momentous and exciting one, not to be missed.