The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1876-05-09 00:00:00

VOCAL ASSOCIATION CONCSRT.

'the Company at the Royal Hotel Assembly Rooms, on
Thursday night, to beer ths Weymouth Vocal Association
Concert, were representative, although the room was not
mo crowded as we have sometimes seen it. The "Judas
Maccabens " formed the principal part of the evening's
performance, and the vocalists were supported by an
efficient band, led by Mr. J. P. Collett, whose kind meat.
ance is given with all the readiness of ono who is in every
sense an amateur, and • connoisseur as well The first
violins were *eyed by Mr. W. Stone and Mr. C. Keats
mooed violins, Mr. T. & Wallin Mr. Phillips and Kr. W.
Oise ; viola, Mr. IL D. Sun.; violoncello, Mr. Bailey and
Mr. Parsons ; basso, Mr. Bridgman clarinet, Mr. C. P.
Gee ; first cornet, Mr. Watts second cornet, Mr. Pretty,
and Mr. T. Avant conducted. and Mr. G. Thorne, accom-
plished with their usual skill and testa
The programme was oommensed with the overture trona
Samson and the musicians thus launched the concert well.
Next cause the sad chorus of the oppressed Jews—" Mourn,
ye ahead; which the association rendered with due feel-
ing. But this depressed state of things does not last, the
c voice promisee • champion in the recitative 'I
prophetic within." and here it was most satisfactory
to solemn that a very good bass had been obtained in
Kr. EL Crew whol.m. not only with corroders
but roundness and good tone. When he burst
into the fine war-call 'Arm, arm, ye brave," the audience
felt that, as far as Mr. Cross wa.c.osrne4 the sumer al
the concert was assurred. The chorus • We come, in
=array," was taken up with spirit by the choir, and
Kr. Debmhinai followed with the
recitativesung. Willed my father," sad gave it with
remarkable feeling and taste; his voice la • most valuable
one to the .firadca, to who in it must be gratifying
they have among them an amateur so to
take the tenor solos. The semi-chorus " ill of
danger." was another capital burst, and the chorus "Tune
your harps" showed the power of the Association in more
nitrijoyous music; couuneaced with apparentweak-
Te, t swelled into • tall rat sweet triumphal chorua,
and was applauded. The next sensation was the debut et
Madame Wensley in the recitative "Oh let Eternal
Honours ;" her voice rang out well to the end of the room,
sad it must be contemned that the lady has the accomplish-
meats of an artiste; perhaps we are too fastidious in
dashing a different manner in what is supposed to be a
sacred teincen. When Madame Wensley sang "From
Mighty " she displayed immense confidence, which
osrtalnly nu untitled, for she trilled out the grace notes
like a bird, and drew immense applause. Her expression
was properly triumphant, almost overhearing, and she
dwelt on the music over and over wan with fresh power
at each may. Again must the Association be deservedly
praised for the brisk, smart, and really brilliant way in
which they sang "Rail Judea ;" it might be called one of
the beet, if it were not that all the choruses were:so=
" My Anse I" was a little too *yin Mr. for . Den
unless we prefer to think that ha intended to express some
=lon on the part of the leader abort to go to woe
owa of bunting into • shout at anger that would
hear everything botons It; he was more taking in the air
" Sound an alarm," and received very nowt/ sad
deserved applause. The &one " We hear was
areothet triumph for the Association, and after Use
duet fies the god-like youth," they again won
homers for the excellent rendering the well-known
' flee the Cowering Hero conies," into which their con-
ductor and themselves threw their best Worts, sad
whined great moms The "Slag =to God."
the sacred part tea close, and in spite of three
little faults at soinsta, and, say one, of the
s=nalatos must be preammeed a iacrism. Eke
Instrumental mccompaelments undoubtedly very muck
=ld the elect, sad probably te the
sad brilliancy which the choir ed ; they
seen* indeed fully awake WI to all that was requir
and the choruses scoordinglylwent with • swinging power
that WV/ delightful. The conductor Mr. Avant, has every
men to be Proud of his obeli% the saiscidlanersus park
commenced with the overture to &esuiramide
mart brilliantly played by the band, who indeed
%musty./ by the way they worked up, increasing the
Vaalo the fine
Weesleg rang the 0010 in Mi. Avant."
to Titania," sad with good Watt, the choir aleoFifir
together and In good tea.: bet to • dog
of the mune is too loud for• lullaby, it meter at
the end et the charm, and veryagreesheethan. Kr.
Collett and Mr. Avant Om gave a genuine treat to good
musicians in their duet De BswiM's "Lucia di 1401014,-
MOW,' which was proceeding in • very sparkling maarser.
when Mr. WWI violin, strong nes to owed pitch,
Meted stdmi But lbe @memos weld am be Or

=Lai the treat, and Mr. Collett. 11•24,7•1nd
in • marvillin short time, was with
tremendous applameariuheaftr that he was to go on, and
the mosinians went the performance in charming
style, and renewed eeplause foUnwed. Another •••••tin
of the evening was Ur. Croat's sinzi ug of " Iwarosmer,
given with sudi a fine voice, and with such immense
spirit, 24 to take the audience by atom, and quite ovep
maw one of the gentlemen singers, who appeared hy his
motions to be quite taken captive, and entirely under the
influence sub. music, which had the effect of inspiring
him to his very lingers ends. The song was encored and
repeated. Madame Wensley was also encored for " Let
me dream again,' and she responded with "Neer unto
thee' The concert concluded with the part song 'The
" the various parts being sung in good tune
alannattr the general elect being most pleasing. The
Association then attempted loyally to give 'God Save
the toes." when the Inelotitv of the audience left before
two him could be got through. Yet the singers sang
well, as indeed they bad all the evening, so we
explain the reason as the apparent slight put on the good
old favourite The concert at all events, was one of the
best the Association has given, and gave hoped that they
would, now they are supported by such a band, go on to
still farther swore