THE FISK JUBILEE SINGERS.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2245, 27 November 1886, Page 2

THE FISK JUBILEE SINGERS.

Ir will be seen from advertisement that Hamilton is to be favoured with a visit from the talented company of ex-slave vocalists about the second week in December. Speaking of them tho Birmingham Daily Post says :— " This evceedhuly clever company of coloured vocalihts fiom Fisk University gave the Hist of two concert* at the Town Hall last night. The audience was not nearly «o laige as the merits of the company deserve, fur then part-singing is the absolute perfection of vocalisation. No harmony could be more true, no voices could be more evenly balanced. There is a certain amount of trickery used in order to gain effect, but the voices blend so harmoniously, the notes swelling now high, now low, yet ever in perfect tune and time, that the ear grows almost surfeited with sweet sounds. It is no light tribute— indeed it is only their due — to state that no more perfect vocalisation as regards true harmony in part-singing lias ever been heard in Birmingham. The blending of the inalo and female voices is absolutely perfect, and in tho refrain to the different songs they so manage the forte and the pianissimo as to bring in effects winch none but trained vocalists c>uld accomplish. Most of the pieces given last night were of a sacred character, but it nrist not be supposed from this that there was anything approaching dulness in the evening's entert linment, on the contrary, it was light, bright, and sparkling throughout. Among the best of the sacred pieces may be mentioned " Good News," "Mary and Martha," and " He rose from the Dead." Mr Loudin, the director, met with a well-merited encore for his song, "Fathoms Deep." Miss Mattie Lawrence, in response to the song, " Who will buy my roses,' gave "I cannot sing the old songs."