"The May Queen"

Radio Record, Volume III, Issue 3, 2 August 1929, Page 8

"The May Queen"

First’ Broadcast Perform: ance by 1YA Choir HH recently-formed .1YA SBroadcasting Choir will give its first performance for the benefit of listeners on Tuesday evening. The piece to be presented will be Sir W. Sterndale Bennett’s delightful cantata, "The May Queen." Great. interest will be taken in the first performance *by the 1YA_ choir. There are thirty-two members. The choir had its inception in a recommendation by the 1YA Musical and Dramatic Committee. When applications were called, over 60 vocalists applied and the members were chosen after careful auditions. Young yoices predominate, particularly in the ladies’ section. The conductor is Mr. Len. Barnes; and Mr. Cyril Towsey,the accompanist. The choir is a very enthusiastic combination, and all rehearsals are particularly well attended. Before every practice the conductor gives a half-hour’s instruction in singing. The members of the choir are: Mrs. B. Barclay, Mrs. H. L. ‘Timmings, Misses G. V. Brooke, Maida Davison, S. W. Donnell, C. Foster, A. McDonagh, N. Marriage, C. Mulqueen, M. O’Grady, I. G. Phillips, D. A. Twyford, G. Weir, M. Taylor, H. Rosieur, and R. McCullay, and Messrs. T. Dunn, BH. Green, J. L. Heath, A. W. Hickman, J. H. Joss, A. L. MacPherson, T. Moffitt, W. P. Morphy, E. M. Newling, E. J. Robson, H. H. Salter, R. Stephenson, J. Wilford, R. Wilson, W. Langton, and’ H. Langton. The story of the cantata is as follows :-It is May Day and the villagers are gathered together to celebrate and to greet their May Queen. Being a festive day the May Queen is rather coquettish and scorns the Lover, who mourns the day he was born. The May Queen is crowned, and then the Lover asks her to throw away her cloak of cold disdain, but she lightly scorns him. . Robin Hood, who is the Captain of the Foresters in disguise, appears in a swaggering baritone song, "’Tis Jolly to Hunt." He makes love to the May Queen and is struck a blow by the Lover. This is against the law, particularly on May Day, and the pvillagers advise the Lover to hide away. It is too late, the Queen of the Realm arrives amid a fanfare of trumpets. She sees that there has been a brawl and she banishes the

Lover and dismisses the Captain of the Foresters. But the May Queen pleads with Her Majesty and not in vain, for all is forgiven and the cloud passes away. The caste will be:The May Queen (soprano)Miss Millicent O’Grady The Queen (mezzo)- . Miss Madge Taylor The Lover (tenor)- . Mr. Lambert Harvey The Captain (baritone)Mr. EB. M. Newling With the exception of Mr. Harve the soloists are members of the choir, _ Mr. Cyril Towsey will be at the piano and Mr. Bric Waters at the organ.