St. Joseph's Cathedral Choir, Dunedin

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XLIX, Issue 39, 5 October 1922, Page 9

St. Joseph's Cathedral Choir, Dunedin

A Dual Jubilee Celebration “Inthe Days when the World was Wide” ! ... It is well known to those conversant with the history of the Church in Otago that the pioneer Marist Missionary Fathers, and even Bishop Pompallier himself, extended their ministrations this far long before the era of European settlement proper. The Bishop tells us in his diary that he, accompanied by Fathers Comte and Pesant, S.M., in the Missionary schooner Santa Maria, visited the hap us of the Natives and the whaling stations within and in the vicinity of Port Chalmers as early as 1840. Records which have been preserved show that in 1845 Father Seen, S.M., followed in the footsteps of Bishop Pompallier, and two or three years later Fathers Petitjean, S.M., and Seon again traversed these parts, and evidently renewed their visits periodically through the ’Fifties of the last century. It is generally assumed that these intrepid shepherds of the widely scattered flock performed all their journeyings on foot, carrying their requisites for the offering of the Holy Sacrifice when a suitable opportunity occurred, and also their personal requirements; and thus they travelled the entire length of the island from Cook Strait to Foveaux Strait. - The first celebration of Holy Mass in Dunedin in the early stages of its settlement was offered in the home of Mr. Poppelwell, a small wooden house at the North-East Valley. At the beginning of the ’Sixties Father Moreau, S.M., arrived, and with the increase in population consequent on the rush to the newly-discovered goldfields, w r as appointed parish priest of Dunedin, a position he occupied with wonderful zeal and far-reaching results until after the arrival .of Bishop Moran. Father Moreau was assisted at various intervals by Fathers Belliard, Ecuyer, and Martin, S.M. St. Joseph’s Church (now the Cathedral Girls’ Parish School) was opened by Father Moreau, assisted by Father Martin, on July 23, 1862, and from that important event St. Joseph’s Choir entered upon its successful career in the musical world which won for it the high reputation it enjoyed right down the long span of years, and, in its honored prime, it now celebrates its Diamond Jubilee as a Church Choir As a musical combination the choir gave ample evidence of its rare artistic merit even in the early days., Mrs. J. J. Connor, for many years a resident of NorthEast Valley, has supplied the present writer with the following brief but interesting recollections of the choir’s early days: The members of the original choir of St. Joseph’s numbered about eight, who sang to the accompaniment of a small harmonium. The choir rendered Mozart’s Twelfth Mass for the Christmas of 59 years ago. The organ now in use at the Cathedral was bought by Father Moreau. Mrs. Connor alone, survives among those who formed the original choir; Mr. Connor joined eighteen months after its formation. In her reminiscences of the early days, Mrs". Connor relates that to attend church they often took a short cut across country from what is now High Street, scrambling down the face of the hill where cows were depasturing, and where the Bishop’s Palace and Christian Brothers’ residence now stand. Coming to the foot of the hill a stream was crossed on loose and often slippery planks. It is understood that Mrs. Woods (who later removed to Lawrence) aided the infant choir in the capacity of organist. Golden Jubilee of the Cathedral Choir “On Sunday, February 19, 1871, Bishop Moran entered upon his episcopal duties at St. Joseph’s Church,” so stated an old-time chronicler. Thus old St. Joseph’s became the pro-Cathedral, and, as a consequence, the choir assumed the status of a Cathedral Choir. Hence as such; on its annual meeting held the other week, the choir attained its 50th year— Golden Jubilee. Besides Fathers Coleman (who accompanied Bishop Moran to Dunedin) the

priests we find mentioned as being attached to St. Joseph’s in 1873 were Revs. J. Lenihan, T. Crowley, and J. O’Connor. In July of that year Father O’Connor was appointed to the newly-established mission of Cromwell, and Father Lenihan to the newly-erected, mission of Milton. All these names will be familiar to those 'who composed the choir at that time. Apart from the reminiscences mentioned above, there is practically nothing on record relating to the original choir’s achievements. Wo may, however, infer from the recital of “recollections” by the old people still happily with us, that the choir of their day was unrivalled among similar musical bodies, and the class of music rendered was of a distinctly high (not to say ambitious) order. It will be of interest to many of the present time to know of the class of music rendered by the choir of 50 years ago, - which may be taken as a fair indication of the standard reached in the preceding years. From its earliest days, - St. Joseph’s has been fortunate in possessing a fine choir, and very many of the most notable artists who have toured this Dominion have deemed it a privilege to be allowed to assist at its musical renderings. This choir held the reputation of being amongst the best in Australasia, and, apart from the always available services of the most eminent professionals, those of the best local talent were always available. As far back as January, 1872, the full strength of Signor Cagll’s Italian Opera Company, including its orchestra (then ’on tour) gave a magnificent rendering of Gounod’s “Messe Solennello.” Father Coleman, who was celebrant on the occasion, was so impressed with the excellence of the singing that he gave a special discourse on Church music, showing what the Church had done for music through succeeding generations. The N.Z. Tablet of August 30, 1873, stated;“We understand that the members of St. Joseph’s Choir intend to give a grand concert in about.three weeks’ time. Judging from the success of their former concerts, we have no doubt this will be no exception to the rule. Selections from Mozart’s First Mass in 0 will constitute the first part of the programme, and the second part, as usual, will be a miscellaneous selection.” A report of a concert given by the choir on Friday, May 24, 1874, said: —“The programme was a well-selected and a most varied one, embracing ballads, glees, and recitations. Mr. Sykes (organist of St. Joseph’s) presided at the piano, and was ably assisted" by Mr. O’Connell on the violin, who kindly volunteered his services for the occasion. Those who contributed items were Miss Hesford (upon whom the principal burden of the evening fell), Messrs. Ennis, Lennon, Loughnan, and Bunny.” Another concert was given in September of that year in aid of the school funds, after which the following appeared in the Tablet : —“The choir of St. Joseph’s Church have kindly acceded to the request made to repeat the programme submitted at their late concert in the Masonic Hall. The object towards which they have now come forward is to aid in the erection of a church in Port Chalmers. The steamer Golden Age has been chartered for the conveyance of patrons from Dunedin; and with that attraction, and the additional one of the services of a brass band, which will accompany the steamer on her double trip, we have no fear but the entertainment will secure such an amount of patronage as will be a material aid to the most necessary work which it is desired to assist. According to announcement the steamer is to leave the Old Jetty on. her downward trip at 6.30 p.m., accompanied by the Provincial Brass Band. . . The entertainment is - under the patronage of the Most Rev. Dr. Moran, who has signified his intention of presiding.” Owing to unfavorable weather the Moonlight Excursion had to be postponed from week to week, and it was eventually held on Monday, October 26. “As had been announced” (so the report of the event read), “his Lordship the Bishop had graciously signified his intention of being present, together with Fathers Moore and Crowley; and a hope was generally entertained that the Calypso, on board which were the Rev. Fathers Walsh and O’Leary, would .arrive in time to admit of their being also present on the occasion. Happily this wish has been realised, for the welcome intelligence reached town on Sunday evening that the vessel had been sighted from the Heads; and on Monday morning his Lordship, accompanied, by Father Moore, repaired to

the Port for the purpose of meeting and welcoming the reverend gentlemen. Business compelling his Lordship to return to town, the Rev. Father Moore remained in Port Chalmers to entertain the reverend gentlemen until evening, when the Bishop and Father Crowley arrived in a carriage and pair, which conveyed the party back to town at the close of the proceedings.” The steamer trip, it would appear, was not without incident. “Long before the appointed hour for sailing” (we are told) “streams of people were seen wending their way to the wharf, the little craft being eventually crowded from stem to stern, a number of late-comers being left on the jetty sorely disappointed. At each landing stage between town and the Port, stoppages were made, and at each place a considerable number were added to those already on board. When the lights of the town became visible, rockets were fired to apprise the town people of the approach of the steamer, and precisely one hour from the time of starting, the Golden Age touched the Old Pier. When the excursionists iarrived at the Assembly Rooms, the building was already fully occupied by the local townspeople. The persons who were present at the former concert will find little difficulty in realising the success of Monday evening’s, when we mention the names of Mrsr Connor and Miss Hesford, Messrs. Loughnan, Connor, Carroll, Griffin, Cornish, and Lennon as amongst those on the programme. We cannot refrain, however, from making special mention of the feeling manner in which Airs. Connor rendered the pathetic song 'Constance,’ and ‘ The Dear Little Shamrock’ by Miss Hesford ; as also the comic aria-from Mozart’s ‘ Le Nozze do Figaro by Air. .Loughman; but decidedly the gem of the evening was the duet i The Wind and the Harp ’ between Mr. and Airs. Connor. When we state that Mr. Sykes presided at the piano, our readers may rest assured that the entertainment was one of no ordinary character.” Another report published on December 20, 1873, said: “The musical service at St. Joseph’s Church on Sunday last was most impressive. The. singers were the Misses Rosina and Fannie Carandini, and Messrs. Gordon and Sherwin, assisted by a gentleman amateur, and the full choir of the Church, Mr. . Sykes presiding at the organ. The ‘Kyrie’ was from Haydn’s 3rd Mass; the ‘Credo,’ ‘Sanctus,’ and ‘Benedictus’ from Mozart’s 12th Mass; and the remainder of the musio was from Weber’s Mass in G. The ‘ Quando Corpus’ from Rossini’s ‘ Stabat Mater,’ was sung as an unaccompanied quartette during the service. At the conclusion of the Mass the Hallelujah Chorus was magnificently given. The sermon was preached by his Lordship the Bishop of Dunedin, and was heard with much attention, especially by many not members of the congregation,,'who had attended to listen to the grand music.” (The above-named vocalists were members of an Operatic Concert Company then performing in Dunedin.) The following was also noted in 1873:—“At the High Mass on Christmas Day, the musical portion consisted of the ‘ Kyrie,’ ‘ Gloria,’ and C'edo ’ from Haydn’s Ist Mass the ‘ Sanctus ’ and 1 Benedict,ms ’ from Gounod’s •and the * Agnus Dei 1 from Mozart’s Ist Mass. The 1 Adest© Fidelis ’ was sung during the Mass, and the ‘Hallelujah Chorus’ at the elusion.” In their day were heard at St. Joseph’s, Miss Julia Matthews, Madame lima de Alurska, the phenomenal Hungarian prima donna—the Tetrazzini of her dayand later (at the Cathedral) Mr. Charles Santley and Signor Foli, and within recent years Madame Antonia Dolores, Mr. Paul Dufault, and other professional artists, including individual members of practically every Opera Company that lias visited Dunedin —Simonsen’s, Montague-Turner, Musgrove’s, and also many of the J. C. Williamson’s Companies, Mr. Charles Sykes was organist for the first choir, which had Mr. Leary as conductor. Other organists included Mr. Charles Waud (the noted ’cellist), Mr. Towsey, Herr Benno Scherek, who was assisted by Madame Scherek in the work oh the choir, and Miss Horan. Referring to the first organist of St. Joseph’s Cathedral, the Sydney Bulletin for June 15, says:—“Charles Sykes has been celebrating his Diamond Jubilee as an Australasian "organist. Born at Huddersfield, Yorkshire, in 1843, he took over the organ at the neighboring Church •at the mature age of 11, and wh£n he landed in . Dunedin in 1862 he was already a performer of some repute.

After 16 years’ of Maoriland he came to Melbourne and started to make music at St. Francis’s Church, Lonsdale Street. Followed a period of 13 years at St, Patrick’s Cathedral, during which he added further cubits to his musical stature, and then he went to St. George’s, Carlton, where he is . still accompanying at Masses with his oldtime skill. In 1880, he was one of the selected organists at Melbourne’s exhibition, and for a while he officiated at the Town Hall.” • Some years after St. Joseph’s Cathedral was opened, Mr. A. Yallis (as organist) took charge of the choir, with Mr, W. T. Ward, and later Signor Squarise as conductor. Mr. Ward, who is the head of a brilliant musical family, has for many years been associated with Catholic choirs, doing excellent work latterly for St, Mary’s Choir, Christchurch North. Mr. R. A. Loughnan was also mentioned as acting in the capacity of conductor in the rendering of the music for Christmas, 1874, when selections from Haydn’s and Mozart’s No. 1 Masses were produced. Eventually Signor Squarise resigned and was succeeded by Mr. 0. Fell (now conducting one of the Catholic choirs of Melbourne). After the lapse of many years Signor Squarise again took up the conductorship. Mr. Yallis and Signor Squarise held their respective positions until last year, when Signor Squarise found it necessary to retire; Mr. Yallis then assumed the conductor’s baton, •and Mr, Fred Stokes entered upon the duties of organist, with results well in keeping with the best traditions of the choir. In the report of the solemn opening and dedication of St. Joseph’s Cathedral on Sunday, February 14, 1886, by His Eminence Cardinal Moran, assisted by a number of Australian and New Zealand prelates, the following appeared regarding the musical arrangements;—“The music given both in the morning and in the evening was under the conductorship of Herr Scherek, who, for some time previous had been very diligent in training the choir. This consisted of a chorus ,of 65 voices, and an orchestra of 16, including a harpist. Solo singers being Miss Fosbery, soprano; Mrs, Rose, alto; Dr. Lindo Ferguson and Mr. Izard —who kindly came from Christchurch to assist —tenors; and Messrs, Manning .and Matthews, basses. Madame Scherek acted as organist. At the rehearsal preceding the functions, Rev. Father Lynch presented Herr Scherek with a conductor’s baton to be used on the great occasion, beautifully carvSd by Mr. Godfrey in , honeysuckle wood, and chastely mounted with New Zealand gold by Mr, Young. The inscription on the middle band was on one side ‘ Bennp Scherek,’ and on the other ‘ A souvenir of the opening of St. Joseph’s Cathedral, February 14/1886,’ and that on the band surrounding the end the words of the ' Lauda Sion ’ descriptive of the qualities of sacred music, * Sit laus plena, sit sonora, sit jucunda, sit decora A handsome case to contain this baton was of polished red pine and ribbon wood made by Mr. Pilkington., The music was quite equal to the degree of attention that had been bestowed upon it. In the morning, as the procession entered the Cathedral, the ‘ Ecce Sacerdos Magnus ’ was sung, and then followed Gounod’s Mess© Solennelle — composition solemn as its name imports, devotional, and most appropriate to the celebration of the Holy Sacrifice. The solos were given with excellent effect, and the harmonies, instrumentation, and organ accompaniments were perfect. The orchestral performance of a Largo of Handel’s at the Offertory was also extremely delightful, and the Gregorian Chant of the ‘ Te Deum ’ in alternate verses, by the priests in the sanctuary, wjas very fine. ‘ The War March of the Priests” from 1 Athalie ’ was the outgoing —splendidly played. In the evening, besides the *&Ecce Sacerdos Magnus’ and ‘ Te Deum * (sung as in the morning) the hymn ‘ Iste Confessor ’ and Mendelssohn’s ‘ Lauda Sion ’ were sung (the latter stated to have been a noble performance). The usual Benediction musio was rendered, and the outgoing voluntary was Meyerbeer’s 'Coronation March.’ ” The report concluded by saying: “Herr Scherek is to be congratulated on the result of his labors: he has shown in-his selection and rendering of the different items a thorough appreciation of the requirements of true ecclesiastical music. Madam© - Scherek also, besides her. masterly performance on the organ, did much to promote the hippy results obtained, and deserves to share very fully in the honors of the day.” \

' t In the original choir and down through the years, were many whose names were familiar in both local and Dominion musical circles. At some considerable pains the committee of the choir has collected the names of those who have from time to time been members, and the list will be preserved in the Jubilee souvenir to be published shortly. Many visitors from abroad during the New Zealand and South Seas Exhibition of 1889-’9O in Dunedin were greatly charmed by the high standard of music then rendered by the choir. Subsequent^ the choir visited Christchurch, having entered a competition for choirs in connection with the Canterbury Jubilee Industrial Exhibition. This event, however, was abandoned, much to the disappointment of St. Joseph’s Cathedral Choir, then probably at the most efficient stage in its career, which would probably have easily won the contest bad it been held. While in the northern city, the choir rendered Mozart’s Twelfth Mass at St. Mary’s Church on the Sunday during its visit. On that occasion Mr, A. Vallis presided at the organ, and Mr. R. H. Rossiter conducted. Well deserving of mention is the very active interest taken in the choir by Rev Father Lynch during his lengthy term of duty in connection with St. Joseph’s Cathedral. Local vocalists and musicians who, although not regular members, assisted the choir on special occasions during former years, included Mrs. H. Rose, Mr. J. Jago, Mr. F. L. Jones, Mr. J. Knox, and Mr. C. Embers. In celebration of the present important period in its history, the choir intend to celebrate the Jubilee with a reunion on Thursday evening, the 12th inst., of past and present members in the form of a Conversazione and Musicale and on the following Sunday evening , in the Cathedral with a recital of sacred music. The Choir Fifty Years Ago Mr. R. A. Loughnan’s Recollections In response to a request for some of his valued reminiscences of the early days of St, Joseph’s Choir, Mr. R. A. Loughnan (now of Wellington) writes: The memory of ray old Dunedin days is very warm, more especially those of the St. Joseph’s Choir service. They were the first of my choir work of 51 years —an unbroken record, of great privilege. Their , memories are of . pleasantest comradeship in assiduous: practice, and there shine through them recollections of the good Bishop Moran of the benevolent face, and the wonderful Father Coleman of the thorough practical work. They were building the diocese on firm foundations, and the Cathedral, now such an ornament to the city, was beginning to grow under their careful hands. So was the Tablet. But heavy as the calls were upon their zeal and time, their recognition of the choir never failed in their encouragement of us for a single instant. You ask for a few of those recollections. - I. thankfully comply with the few lines herewith. When I joined in 1871, the choir functioned .in Old St. Joseph’s, wdiich I entered first in December, 1865, the month of my arrival from Melbourne. In the six years that followed there was great music often in the old church. Living up country, I could only hear it on occasional visits to Dunedin. On some of these I heard Julia Matthews, a delightful singer in Tight opera and musical comedy, who frequently visited Dunedin, and sang in the church with members of her company. Some great Masses of Mozart and Haydn they sang with the choir. Her voice was'..beautiful in these, and in motets at the Offertory it soared wonderfully. I was told of othersoperatic stars and others — used often to sing at High Mass, and of whose work I heard most glowing accounts, from all and - sundry. - Thus when coming to live near Dunedin at Green Islandl joined the choir in 1871, I realised that I had become a member of a choir with a great traditional reputation. Mr. Sykes r as the organist and choirmaster, —an exceptionally clever, organist lie was, —-and ho had an organ, small of course, but- beautifully balanced, sonorous, with some fine stops,. on which it was great to hear him play. All the great accompaniments—Mozart,- Haydn, Weber, V and the rest of our not small repertoryhe played like a master; his voluntaries were; delightful, and we enjoyed the . fine, inarches with which he . played the congregation ; : out. Of these the “Silver Trumpets,”, the March from “Eli,” the Beethoven “Alleluia,” I remember at a, venture. And . he was an accomplished and delightful ex-

ponent of the Gregorian at Vespers. Miss Hesford (later Mrs. Angus) was . our main soprano,: with a glorious mezzo voice,- who often took the greater contralto solo parts very effectively. . Sometimes;- she was magnificent, as in Mozart’s Twelfth, and her “Adeste” .at , Christmas was always simple, tender, noble, and full, •: Later Miss Murphy came into prominence as a soprano leader with a pure high voice. I distinctly remember her leading in. the “Credo” of Haydn’s First, which rose to thrilling effect in the final “Et Yitam Venturi Saeculi,” one of Haydn’s greatest inspirations of tumultuous thanksgiving. Mr. Leary was for a time our chief basso—a great voice, very sonorous and powerful in the “Qui Tollis” of the Imperial it was, quite realising the master idea of the High Priest voicing the prayer of the people, with occasional interruptions by the faithful induced to join by sheer compulsion of the great strain. In the fine orchestral accompaniment of this arranged for the organ—Mr. Sykes always rose 'to inspirational level. This is one of my best recollections of the good old days at St. Joseph’s. Another is of the performance of Gounod’s “Messe Solennelle” by the entire force of Cagli’s Opera Company, which delighted Dunedin in the early seventies with Italian opera. It was one of those companies common in Italy, of singers not Of European reputation, but all very capable in artistry, for Italian audiences know their operas and tolerate nothing that is not really good. Signor Cagli on this occasion was good enough to send three principals—Signora Coy, soprano, a delighteful light voice of great sympathy; Signor Coy, a liquid pure tenor; and Signor Dondi, a basso of enormous power and fine quality—and his whole chorus and orchestra under Herr Zimmerman. How we packed them all into the organ loft and found room for the choir which, knowing every note, was useful, I can hardly remember. But it was done, and the result was a • performance of that great work such as has never been heard but that unforgettable once in New Zealand. Another recollection is of a concert given by the choir, which, like all choirs of all times, required to supplement its library fund. It was a miscellaneous concert—part, selections from Haydn’s Imperial Mass; second part, songs, duets, etc. It was a new departure in Dunedin, rather ambitious. We were very excited, and I remember one of the great choruses of the Mass nan away with us, or wo ran away with the chorus, put it how you like, and the press was very good to us next day. I regret to add that the audience was not large. But it made up by kindness for lack of numbers. There was a Choral Society in those days which used to mass forces on the oratorio stage far beyond our power. But nobody made any comparisons, at all events not in cold print. So there was no harm done. And after all, dear sirs, we didn’t do so badlyand the benevolent smile on the faces of the good Bishop and his padres heartened us up a good bit. What more can I say but that we went the even tenor of our way. Some Sundays we were- brilliant, especially when some travelling professional came and helped with a motetfor example Mr. Amery, who used to give a rousing rendering on the concert platform of “Why Do the Nations,” sang the sonorous “Ecce Deus” at the Offertory and led the bass in the Mass music—and some Sundays in winter when “coughing drowned the parson’s saw” we were anything but brilliant. But we kept up our good repertory, and almost always attended practicethat was a joy worth the ride of seven miles in and out from Green Island. Early in 1875 (January) came the bitter day of parting from the choir. Leaving for Christchurch to take up journalism, I took leave of my friends Mr. Smith (who is still a member - of St. Joseph’s, I hear), a fellow veteran r >]V|r. Milner,' the veteran of our day, who criticised us with comparisons of choir doings at IJshaw College what time he Was a lusty young basso and we were babies, -and taught us what tradition was, and who, alas, has - joined - the > majority; and Mr. Cantwell, the exact, conscientious secretary, who did- all our ,financing: with rigorous punctuality and methodical exactness; the ladies aforesaid; and many more top numerous to mention; It was a sad parting. - I have sung in- choirs regularly since; in Christchurch,, Wellington, Sydney, and again in Wellington,' where still-I enjoy the privilege. - But : never have •I' had better - comrades, and every time of ,practice; I seem to hear- the Voices of the old days when the terror of a small solo ,on Sunday morning kept me awake, with fright half the Saturday night.. ’ 7