Waimate Choral and Orchestral Union.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume III, Issue 135, 30 November 1901, Page 3

Waimate Choral and Orchestral Union.

— o • On Thursday evening the society pi-iced before the public Uowen's cantata, “ Tho Rose Maiden.” The ram in the afternoon may have deterred people from attending, but there was certainly not such an audience as tbs society deserved, 'ierrjver, those present were very appreciative, and this to a certain extent made up for lack of numbers. The cantata, of which we published the “ argument ” iast issue, was well rendered throughout, the choruses being excellent. The piece was, if anything, a trills ambitious for a young society, and their success is therefore tho more meritorious.

We cannot speak in too high terms of the popular conductor, Mr 0. J. Goldstone, who has had the training of both singers and orchestra, and has carried out his arduous duties with unfailing enthusiasm and energy. It will be some satisfaction to him to know that Thursday night’s performance was far and away before anything iu the musical line hitherto given by local talent. Besidesconducting Mi Goldstone gave a ana rendering of the recitative “Far from the Summer’s Blossom.” Among the soloists Mr Coltman was in fine voice and gave a good reiivieriug of the baritone solo, “ Where Gloomy Pine - trees rustle,” and tho duet, “I know a Rosebud shining,” by Miss Boyd and .Mr F. Akhurst was very tuneful, as was tho trio, “ Hast ihou Wandered iu the Forest,” by Mrs Hamilton, Miss Dowle and Mr Goldstone. Mrs \Y. M. Hamilton was heard to advantage in a very difficult solo, “ Bloom on, Bloom on, my Roses,” and Mrs W. L. Scott was very successful in in her rendering of tho contralto solo, <• Ask ol°Yon Ruined Castle.” Miss M. Franklin was in splendid voice, and her singing in the duet with Mr Coltman and/also her solo passages evoked a round cf applause. Mr W. L. Scott, the possessor of a fine tenor voice, gave a splendid rendering of the beautiful solo. “ The Sleep of Even ” which was one of the gems of the evening. Mr Porter took the baritone recitative, Hark 1 Beneath Her Window,” in which he was very successful, as were Mr W. Roberts in the tenor recitative, “ Tearless She Gafcefi hpon Him,” and Mr D. Sheppard, who was entrusted with the tenor solo containing the moral of the piece : Yea 1 e’en as die the roses,' Must die the truest heart, They that rejoice must sorrow, And they that love must part. But yet, 0 God, We praise Thee, Who blendest night and morn, Too lovely were Thy roses, Were they without a them.

The chorus work throughout was excellent, and showed vet) great improvement over anything previously rendered by the society. The parts were evenly balanced, and the voices blended well ; the attack was good, and far more attention was paid to light and shade than is usual in a young society. The opening chorus, “Green Vale and Vine-clal 'fountain,” was very beautiful and was splendidly given, while the Wedding Ghorus ” and the final chorus, “ Yea, E’en as die the Roses,” were without doubt the finest pieces of part singing ever heard by a Waimath audience, the orchestra and voices blending with grand effect. The other choruse were all well rendered. The choruses throughout are difficult and many of them heavy, their rendering reflecting the greater credit upon both members and their conductor, and shows the great improvement effected b\ assiduous practice and training. The orchestra, consisting of piano, three first and three second violins, viola, ’cello, double bass, flute, two clarionettes, drums, cymbals and triungi*, are deservin'.; of the highest praise. 'l'he music sot for the piece was of a most difficult charxoter, and must bavt. involved members in long and assiduous practice. The society is to be congratulated on- possessing such an efficient orchestra.

At the ititerv.il. Dr. Barclay, or. behalf of the society, as president, thanked the audience for their attendance. This was the third concert the society had given and the first one to which they had charged for admission, and it had been expected (.bar. the high standard of excellence leached wo Ml have warranted a better house. Too much praise could not be given to Mr J. Goldstone, the energetic conductor, whose complete •attention to his work had won the admiration of members ; to Mass Akimcst, the pianiste, whoso devo.ion to her duties and patience at long practices wore of groat USSih'l anco ; to .Mr 0. E. Breniner for drawing stage plans and 'Othetwisfe assisting; to Mr 11. Franklin and

several others. Next season began in March, UFkJ, and they would he glad to see all the presenfcmembsra agaift, and also a good number of now members. Those who could not assist musically could assist by becoming honorary members at a small fee. lie trusted the society would go on and prosper, and that next year it would be stronger and the concert better and brighter even than it had been on that evening.