Broadcast of "Caractacus"

Radio Record, Volume II, Issue 46, 31 May 1929, Page 7

Broadcast of "Caractacus"

Presented by Christchurch Choral Society

ON Wednesday, June 5, the Royal Christchurch Choral Society, under the conductorship of Mr. W. H. Dixon, L.R.A.M., A.R.C.M., will present This will be the first public performance by the society since the appointment of Mr. Dixon. Before leaving England, and when in charge of the Ipswich Choral Society, he produced "Caractacus,"’ and that, other of Elgar’s masterpieces, "The Dream of Gerontius." The Christchurch performance on Wednesday evening can be relied upon to be a splendid entertainment. , * First-class soloists have been engaged. They will be: Soprano, Mrs. C. Tait (Timaru). Tenor, Mr. Hubert Carter (Wanganui). Baritone, Mr. Wm. Gemmell (Auckland). Bass, Mr. T. D. Williams (Christchurch). "Caractacus" was composed by Sir Edward Higar. The words were written for the music by Mr. H. A. Acworth, C.I.E., for the Leeds Musical Festival, 1898, and dedicated by Sir Edward Elgar by special permission to Her Most Gracious Majesty Queen Victoria.

The Britons throughout the south, east, and centre of England having been subdued by the Romans, Caractacus is driven with his remaining forces towards the Welsh frontier, and establishes a great camp on the Malvern Hills, on the summit now known as the British Camp, or Herefordshire Beacon. Wandering in the forest below the hills, Bigen, the daughter of Caractacus, and her betrothed lover, Orbin, are met by a Druid maiden, who enjoins them to warn the King not to advance into the open country against the Romans. This warning they convey to Caractacus. On the ensuing night the omens are taken at a solemn assembly of the Druids.. They are read by Orbin, who belongs to the half-priestly order of minstrels, and are declared to be unYET Ee

favourable. The Arch-Druid deceives the King as to their character and Caractacus resolves to advance against the Romans. Orbin endeavours to protest, but is cursed and driven forth by the .Druids. On the following morning Orbin meets Higen in a glade of the forest, where youths and maidens are with her gathering flowers for a sacrifice, and bids her farewell, telling her of the deceit practised on the King by the Druids, and of his own expulsion. He adds that he himself is flying from the Druids and intends to join the British forces. In the next scene Wigen and her maidens witness the return of Caractacus with the remnants of his army to the camp on the Malvern Hills after their total rout by the Romans. Caractacus and his family, including Orbin, are soon after betrayed into the hands of the enemy. The last scene represents Caractacus with Orbin and Kigen before the tribunal of Claudius, the Emperor of Rome. Claudius is at first disposed to condemn them to death. but is so struck by the intrepidity of Caractacus that he pardons them and assigns them an honourable residence in Rome. ‘The general lines of history or, failing history, of tradition, have been followed. ‘The British camp ox the Malvern Hills is locally attributed to Caractacus. It is doubtless a British work, and is of such an extent as infers occupa: tion by very large numbers. The scene of Carnctacus’s last disastrous battle is much disputed; but it was almost certainly on the line of the Severn (Habren) and may probably have been at Cac. "aradoe, in Shropshire. The unusual circumstance of mistletoe growing on the oak may be still observed in the woods below the Herefordshire Beacon, Caractacus’s appearance before Claudius in Rome, his’bold defence, and the pardon of himself and his daughter are historical. Orbin is an imaginary character. TTT WUTTATAT TR TOUT ALTE TTT ATED EO UUT AD SOUTTATAT EUV ET ETAT ET TTGT STATUTE HUTT AT OATH)