SACRED CANTATA.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2561, 23 July 1909, Page 4

SACRED CANTATA.

MESSIAH’S REIGN. St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church was crowded last evening, when the combined choirs of St. Andrew’s and Wesley Churches, under tho conductorship of Mr. A. T. Hookey, sang Maiil’ice Johnston’s sacred cantata, ah’s Reign.” Maurice Johnson is tlie composed.of manj' fine cantatas; but it is doubtful if any of his works contain such rich music, such varied themes, and such possibilities for the vocalists as the. one produced last evening.. “Messiah’s Reign” opens with an instrumental overture that helps to prepare tho audience for the story that is to ho told in the. solos and choruses that follow. The opening chorus is powerfully written, and gives full play to the male voices. Tho solos are evenly distributed, while tho part singing, written, lor the quartettes, gives scope for some beautiful vocal melody. Tho soloists last evening were Mrs. G. G. Shierlaw, Miss Bonar Miller, Messrs W. J. Barlow and H. J. McClymont. Mrs. Shierlaw and Miss Miller were in splendid voice; they sang with expression and crave, fine interpretations of the difficult solos allotted to them. Messrs Barlow and- McClymont also sang well, but their solos suffered from lack of attention to enunciation, for it was extremely difficult fo r the audience, to understand a word they were singing. Misses Primrose and Warren, Messrs Riach and Mac Gibbon composed the quartette, and their part singing was excellent. The members of the orchestra were: Messrs M. Cuthbert, A. Warnecke, Master Rhinosmith, anci MiSs Pilcher (violins), Messrs J. Brown and Solvander (violas), Mr. J., Adair (cello), Mr. J. Andrews (bass), Mr. 3. Chrisp (cornet), Mr. M. Foster (flute.);, while Mrs. P. Schwabe played tho accompaniments on the piano, and Mr. j. East on tho organ. Previous to the cantata a short concert programme was given. Mr. W: J. .Mac Gibbon sang “Calvary,” Mr. R. A. Mitchell “If ever a Rose,” and Mrs. Johnstone Brown “0, Rest Thee, Sad Heart.” A quartette composed of Messrs Hcathcote, Riach, Hookey, slid, McClymont sang “The Chapel,” unaccompanied. Mr Johnstone Brown gave a recitation; Mr, J. Chrisp played “The Lost Chord,” as a cornet solo; and the orchestra played the march “Melbourne.” Tho concert was most successful from every point of view, and Mr. Hookey deserves groat credit for the manner in which lie trained tho members of the choirs, so as to produce such a meritorious performance. s