A CONCERT HALL FOR WANGANUI.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12145, 9 December 1908, Page 5

A CONCERT HALL FOR WANGANUI.

■■' ' (To the Editor.) - Sir.—-Your ( correspondent; "ChoraF Jttall" in Saturday's "Chronicle" draws attention to a much-needed want, no> doubt I cannot quite ■jagree with him, however, in his remarks about the chorus in the cantata, "The. Ancient Mariner at the' Opera Houss on Thursday night. I was sitting Jn the dress, circle, section F, fourth row- from front,. ■and'l could hear the menls Vtoices fairly well throughout. I don't say I could hoar all the words distinctly; this way. not tc be expected placed as'they were, . but they sang welt and responded tothe conductors beat, etc., admirably. As for the ladies, they quite surpassed themselves-and sang splendidly. I wasdelighted with their; singing throughout. But when all is said and done, 1 "agrea with " Choral Hall" that ourOpera, Housa is wholly unsuitable forthe proper and successful production of such a work as "The Ancient Mariner."" 11 I almpsi^wonder the^clior\iSr and orclies-- - 4'i"a; dkl so wfelli ph;, the;above/bacasioit .-unier^Ke^'.c^ i&. >\;[ wantedl^^isH 'properly _constructed halt , for concerts of one kind and another— ' cantatas^ oratorios, symphonies by the-~"^« i^reat jetc. - For 7 plaiys, comic.opera^j y tTantomimes. etc., the Opera. Houso is, good enough perhaps, although already quite too email, as I -rventured to predict it would be when iifjft' foundation stone was laid. .Th©~ jint^rest; created, and the impetus given fto..gs>od music by the production of theJ 1 'Ancient Mariner" on Thursday night y,asf; will, I hope^ lead to the. practice an^Sj-preduction in Wanganui of many j'^npjtjer choral .-'works in the near future. jvUur^chotal society has made a good star ; tj,7.but tho great desrderatum is a;J)X§per". conwrt hall >n the same lines fVaSg^nd modelled upon, the magnificent. Town Hall main concert ,rQbm , ;I also hops that the eoheme put rjfor.w,ard i by the "committee of the Cosj^Opolttan" Oltib will take, practicaF -.'sliapjj .ero long. The site is a splendid" ; :onrr, Central, and affordine facilities for~ './j.Jjj^tjrectioh of a first-class, xtp-to-dato-.'iniisici and concert hall—l am. etc., JAS. GARLAND WOON.