CAROL CONCERT.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2258, 27 December 1886, Page 2

CAROL CONCERT.

Thk Christinas musical festival of the Hamilton Choral So;iety was held at the Public Hall on Christinas night, and ac usual drew a crowded house. Though the charge of admission was only ono shilling to all parts of the hall the gross receipts amounted to £18. The evening was oppressively warm, and numbers of the audience went outside and listened through the open windows. Nevertheless it may be said that the concert was a m«.st enjoyrtuie one, and pleasant to all concerned, performers and audience alike. The weakest spot in the entertainment was the orchestra, but all things considered they did remarkably well. Of the vocal music we shall not attempt to speak in detail. In the Messiah music the choruses were most effectively gi\en, but the recitation, " Behold a Virgin " and the air, "O Thou that tellest," which were taken by one of our most careful and correct a'nateurs, Miss Trewheellar, were almost spoiled by the orchestra. The other concerted music, as well as thi* carols, most of whiqh were old favourites, calls for the highest commendation. The chorus work indeed was better than anything of the kind we have heard in Hamilton, and demonstrated the large ainoant of skill and patience exercised by the conductor, Mr Templer. Concerning the solos it will not, we are sure, be deemed invidious if we assign the the palm to Miss Wild, whose rendering of that lovely solo "Angels ever bright and fair" fairly enchained the attention of the laige audience, and evoked a perfect storm of applause when it ended. Miss Wild bowed her acknowledgments, but nothing but a repetition of the last verse would satisfy her hearers. Mivs Trewheellar sang "The children's kingdom" \ery pathetically, and Mrs McCurdy took advantage of the opportunity of displaying a really nice voice in "Aye Maria" which was given with good effect. Miss Sandes sang "A Dream" with much taste and feeling. Of the cirolh the chief favourites, judging by the measure of the applause, were "The Bell Carol,'' " The Manger Throne," and "The Wassail Song." A most enjoyable evening was brought to a close with tho National Anthem.