The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1876-12-19 00:00:00

lets mast, of course, greatly contribute to this flattering
result. Indeed every one knows that Mn'. Stedman is
always a favourite, Miss Squire is pronounced by gcrxl
judgps to bl a pleaoint and well trained songstress, and as
to Mr. Dehenhani, him native perception enables him to
measure the extent of his p ,wer, 1171,1 keep well within his
range. Within that limit, which seems to enlarge, as he
gains confidence and strength, the leading tenor of the
Association is ,ibv..vo nost ft.:n.43:0,1... As to Mr. Collett,
be is one of the ghost remarkable amatenr violin players
who have appeared on a Weymouth platform, and bit
leading power is lumens,; he never has to orminit faults
heard hi some conductors, in order to carry his fellow-
musicians with him, but he seems to inspire them with his
owl /wren.. ._ . .

ie gamed part was Mozart's 12th Mao., or rather the
best selection from it., and the chorus I will call upon
the Lord," went well together, with good effect, the
" Glorious is Thy name" being full and spirited, soft, or
Impressive as required. The soli and chorus "Remember"
gave an opportunity for exhibiting Mrs. Stedman's, Mr.
Delienbam's, and Mr. Oakley's singing. and they Were
admirable, the b ind also joining in with some charming
passages. The trifling of some of the gentlemen's voices
In the chorus must Ise pardoned, considering the excellent
effect of the whole. In "Praise the Lora" the SOH were
sung by Mrs. Andrews, Mrs. Stelman, Mr. Detienham,
and Mr. Oakley, who each acquitted her or himself well,
some of the instruments in the kin I were heard also to
great advantage. "Bow and hear me" was beautifully
commenced by Mr. Debenhain, Mr. Oakley taking it up,
and then Mrs. Andrews and Mrs. Stedman joining in
most harmoniously. The chorus too was briskly rendered,
the principal fault being the loud rapping of a stick,
which resounded discoraantly to the very end of the
, room. If this bad anything to do with the quickening et
1 the time, It is much to be regretted that some less
obtrusive moans wets not usel, to gain that end.—The
chorus "God is g. 01,! up," commenced with 'lnc
and the trebles were good ; but the whole was scarcely
well enough balanced. "lord have mercy," was 'nest
impressive, the supplicatory tones of the singers being
appropriate, and a charming solo by the first violin was
not the only part in which the value of the orchestra was
heard. Next came the solo and chorus " Praise the
Lord," Mrs. Stedman singing beautifully, and the other
singers joining in the chorus with brightness and joyful-
Dee,; the instrumental passages also were delightful.
The second or secular part was commenced with • very
spirited outburst of music, wherein various instruments
were perceived to be remarkably well played, the first
violin, or usual, being distinguished by the sattoir, faire of
its talented maestro, Mr. Collett, and as the brillinni
overture to "II Barbiere" proceeded Mr. Scurlamore's
flute warbled delicious notes, Mr. C. P. Gee being also
very effective on the chwieuet, contributug greatly to the
charming impression; the whole was well worth the
hearing of a far more diatingnished audience, and the
Woymeuthians did not fail to applaud. Bat they should
have given more applause than they did to the part-song
"Down in a pretty valley" (Leslie), for it war harmoni-
ously sung, and, with a trains:: excuption, well pro-
nounced. Perhaps we may venture to suggest that a
vocal association shoula pay much attention to g. eel part-
songs, which are deservedly popular when rendered in
the very best style, while they do not throw all the
burdens and praises upon soloists. Miss Newman next
gave a really lovely piaeoforte solo, " Minnehalia"
(Webb), and the lady's skill being exercised on a nOldis
inatrument, the effect was delightful, the rippling,
bubbling, flowing sound of the supposed water tieing
perfectly imitated. Some of the audience tried to encore,
but Miss Newman showed her good taste in not
responding. Pianists who are wise as well as talented
should always leave their audiences longing, for the
taste for instrumental solos is by no means universal,
especially if they are prolonged. Besides it would not
have been right to have delayed a member of the
association, Miss Squire, who had undertaken to sing
Sullivan's "Village Chimes." This she did with con-
siderable confidence, and as she pos./saes a good voice,
artistically managed, she succeeded admirably, and had ,
a hearty encore. She kindly gave "She wandered down I
the mountain side," and this was sutg even better than '
the first song, receiving a very warts burst of applause.
Mendelssohn's part song "Remembrance" followed, and
was harmoniously sung, though perhaps the majority of
the tenors, who are rather weak, would have done more
justice had they something with more of English spirit in
it, than the Mendelssohnic reminiscences, to sing about
The association, we venture to think, may yet do far
better in part songs. Mr. Debi:alum obliged by giving
"The Shades of Evening close aroimil," a song which
seemed well fitted for his nice tenor, he has such • sweet
tone, and his chaste expression added to the pleasure felt,
while he occasionally surprised 111 by unexpected Manley'
of strength. Of course Mr. Debenham was encored, and
kindly responded. Mrs. Stedman pleased all by singing
'The Sailor Boys' farewell," (Illementhal) and was I
deservedly encored, when she gave "Sing, Birdie, Sing," I
yen, pleasingly, her lower notes being rich and full. Mr. I
J. P. Collett WU received with marked attention when he
came forward to play his fantasia "Souvenir de Bellini"
on the violin. It was a truly remarkable exhibition of
very clever and tasteful playing and although it was vstry
decidedly enrored, Mr. Collett was so modest as simply to
acknowledge the complimait, without repeating any part
of the elegant performance. A very thorough proof of
the association's spirit, and of the rompletene. -made by
the addition of the band Vas atlonlesl by the " Rataplan
chorus (Donizetti.) The tremendous rattle and dash o
this stirring chorus were very ably brought out liy thf
combined bodies, the singers keeping exaellent time, tine
of course the band never gave occasion to think of such at
thing; they inspired all with sueli perfect confi.lencea
seemsta ICa favourite with the asalciation.
and, without our advoriting any More of this extremely
spirits's!" style of performance, its MlCeels *mina Vi how
that the general holy of the vac 'lists will sing hest when
they have something before then, with "go." The
programme closed with Boildieu's " Daum Blanche" over-
ture, in which SOlne of the movements went as Rh
admirable smoothness, others being very full, and the
whole performance decidedly good.
It is most satisfactory that the concert was a pecuniary
success while the music was so well received; and as the
pleasures of hope are said to be great even in COMparison
with those .4 enjoyment, further satisfaction may be felt
In believing that its weaknesses may point the way to
better concerto still.