The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1882-05-02 00:00:00

DORCHESTER VOCAL ASSOCIATION CONCERT.

Handers oratorio "Same= " with its fins orchestra-
tion, when performed without a band is, to use •
estoewliat hackneyed simile, like Shakespeare's play
ol Hamlet without the title role. Not for one moment
would we under-milmate the abilities of the artiste
who fulfil the part_of the band, for they perform their
task with maidenly skill and ability, but even they
themselves will surely agree that it is absolutely
Impossible to present such a work as " Sexism," to do
justice to the composer, when it is robsied of its main
attraction. There was a loge attendance on
Tuesday evening, and anzongst this* present were:—
lira Hayes and party, Misses Blackstone Williams,
Rev. W. Miles Barnes, Mrs. Barnes, Mrs. Shaw, Miss
Wriyard, Mrs. A. Mengel, Mies Memel. Mrs.
Henning and party, Mr. R. Dads, Moe Persona,
Mks Barnes, Miss Piety, Mr. and Mr,. Alfred Pope,
Mr. B. Pope, ble. and Mrs. Peard-Jillard. Mr. and
Miss Oalpin, Mr. F. B. Either, lira F. Bogor and
Mrs. Lewis, Mr. and Mrs. Andrews, Mrs. Haagen,
Mrs. G. Symonds, Mr. H. Symonds, Mr. A. Symonds,
Mr. J. Senses. Mrs. W. Foots, Miss Garland, Mrs.
G. Symonds, Mr. Bamford, Mr. M. Lock, Mr. 0. 1...
Tudor, Mr. Burnett jun. (2), Miss Oldlield, Mrs.
Groves, Mrs. J. F. 1104011, Mrs. Herbert Miller, Mrs.
How, Mr. J. Pops, Mrs. G. Hawkins, Mrs. Ling,
Miss Foster, Mr. T. A. Pearce, Mr. Hogg, Mrs. Core,
Mrs. H. Hodges, Mr. and Mrs. Harv, Mr. and Mrs.
W. Darden, Miss Cross. Mils Co; Mr. Jacob, Mr. E.
Pearce, Mrs. Anderson, Mies Scott, Mrs. Last, Mrs. Pick.
ford, Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Lush, Miss Oundogt .n,
Mr. R. Rill, Miss Hill, Mr. Goodfellow, Rev. 0. W.
Butler, Mr. H. Lock, Rev. G. Pool. Mr. Damen and
party, Mrs. Demi, Mkses Doswell, Mr. and Mrs.
Robinson, Misses Robinson. bliss Hannah, Miss Hazel,
Miss Wo Mks Edney, Mrs. Pidgeon, Mks Andrews,
Mies Boyce, Sergeant-Major Gray, A;
The chorus, which had been well trained by the
conductor, Mr. kloyton Smith, was • poweld and
efficient one, the voices being well balanced. The
soloists were Mrs. Alfred Morris, a Tomo ; Mrs.
Stedman, the favourite oontralt of Weymouth ; Mr.
George 001, tenor. Mr. J. Robins ma, jun., and Mr.
George Therm melded at the pianoforte, and Mr.
W. Mons at the harmonium. Before the mooed Isom•
monad the chorus rose and sang "God Save the
Q0011D:
The selections from the oratorio then commenced
with the recitative "This Day • Solemn Feast," by
Mr. Omega Cox, who created • favourable impression.
He has • voice of good quality, and his enunciation is
lady good—a fact which the audience did not
Wl:appreciate. As a rule the choruses went firmly
and well, and none better than the first "Awake the
Trumpet's Lofty Sound." Of the soprano solos, we
will decline to express any opinion whatever, for fear
of belie the reverse of complimentary, but will leave
the &galena to form their own. It may have been
the lady was indisposed, and we will give her that
credit. One of the finest numbers sung was the tear
air, "Total Eclipse l" and hearty applause
Mr. Om at its close. The chorus "0 First greeted
Beam" was excellently sung_ as were the succeeding
1110411 Great Dagen" and "Fixed in His Everlasting
Beat." Mr. Cox gave the following air—" Why loes
the God Of Israel Sleep 2" with great taste and 0211.
eidershle power. Mrs. Stedman is always a favourite
in Dorchester, and general regret was expressed that
her pert were so exceedingly limited. Her Met effort
was the air "Return 0 God," in which her fine con.
trate voice was well displayed. Of the well.known
soma, air "Let the Bright Seraphim," the best
feature we. the trumpet obligate. which woe played
by Mr. J. Stevens. The concluding chorus well
brought out the strength of the choir, and made a very
astlefsdory finish to the selectleas.
Leslie's part song. "The Sea Ring's Bride," 'opened
the amend part, and was an admirable cooked and in
plessiag relief to the power and strength of Handel's
ersedo. It was received with loud applause. Mr.
George 00X sang Lecher's exquisite song, "Alice,
liners Art Thou 7" in a manner which earned for
himself an eathuslastio encore, which he very kindly
aokeowleiged. Mrs. Alfred M rids smells* Angel's
deli "(Max Slay) with • violin obligee° by Ur. Stone.
Mr. (vioM), Mr. Boyton Smith (piano), and
Mr. J. Robinson (harmonium), played the peculiar
allegro sweetmeat from Heydn's /Symphony in D. In
tke haads of such • trio it is hardly, perhaps,
semeary to say it was well played. Hearty sea
wallowed applause testified to the appreciation and
Mews of the audience. Mr. Cox sang the pretty
little song "Mignonette" in a refined and geeing
manner, and the result was, as might have been
expected, an encore. Ur. Cox acknowledged the
compliment by singing with some rather original
deals, "My Pretty Jane" Mrs. Morris sang' The
Miller and the Maid" (Sfardeld, and was moored,
is imposes staging "Auntie." "The Song of the
Vikings " • spirited pert song, by the °borne concluded
what, taken as • whole, must bsoonsickired • success-
ful concert.