The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1885-05-12 00:00:00

DORCHUITER VOCAL ABBOCIATION.

This association gave the first concert .4 it. six-
teenth season at the Csoni Exchange on Thursday
"lining last, lout although then- was a fairly
iiiiim•nnie audience, it WAS not so large ax We expeeted
1.. or, considering the enilserrassed eircumatatices of
the ewiety, asel the recent appeal that was made iv
the Honorary Seiretary (Mr. Herbert Hodges). The
prognsteme consisted of CoWell'a successful cantata
entitled " The Rose Maiden," a c.aupoeition which
liar attained considerable pipularity it; this countr3',
and a miecellaneme solecti.on. After the several
heavy progran that have been given lately, the
" !hem. Maiden' as a welenne change, and
we lirlieVe that the concert gave general
satisfaction. The cantata is imp, ma withatand•
ing the alerrent eimplicity .4 the aul.ject,
...the intricacy and difficulty, especially in the baud
the elaborate beauty of which non-
si it .it,.. ~n.' if il, greatest charms. The p an. Is
adisphel from the Genesis.. hy K. E. Francilhon, led
tI. e " plot " is ....mewled fencifel and intangible, is
the following " argument " will Au* - "The line.%
~1 the Hower fairit,., weary oda life .4 mile...lien calla,
I rays .4 the newly returned 'goring that he will Isistow
upon her ale. the gift .4 love that he bentows upon
mom. lb- wane her .4 the risk she runs, hut hivally
yields to her entreaties by changing her while slo•
sleeps ilia," llie form .4 .1 beautiful girl. Under the
!bailie of Raseliloseon., she wanders, thneigli the world
to find the love that she seeks, and meets, with a girl
having 'wen betrayed and deserted by her hover,
her weiista and dies hrokettlwart,6ll. ~...
detenosel (nen her *arch, Itosetslusioni hesenea the
wife of a fonstior, with whom she liV/i• ler time
!Rich perfect haepinese that she survive Ilia
death. 'rhe elves, bewail the fate .4 their queen, and
cues!
love as fatal to peace and hatpin...." The
music is .4 the most melochois and pleading character,
the. orchestration b i ng especially marked by read geni us.
The following !soloists were engaged :—Soprano, Mies
Berta Forests ; contralto, Miss Fenn ; honer,
Mr. Arthur Castings; base, Mr. A. Fowles. There
was a full orchestra, consisting of the following
instrumentaliata a—Violins, Mr. ,W. Stone, Mr. L
E. Leeman (leaders), Mr. F. Stone, Mr. Parkmwt
Mr. K. Moon ; violoncello, Mr. W. G. Alcock ;
contrabaseu, Mr. F. Sharp : flute, Mr. H. Smith
clarinetta, Herr Duscherer, Mr. Hill ; lisedoen, Mr.
K. Damon ; trumpet, Mr. Stevens ; pianoforte, Mr.
J. liobineen, junr. The general verdict on the per-
formances, of the band was that they played splendidly,
and we do not think this mime need• • word of
qualification. Their capabilities were neverely taxed,
but not t'flee did they fail. The lovely introduction,
with its tuneful theme, was admirably played, and this,
with the following chorus, "Green Yale and Vineclad
Motintaine," could not fail tom ve the audience • favour-
able impression of the cantata •N. Forest,
scored a success in the solo, "0 Hear, thou King of
beauty," and received very warm applause and in the
duet with Mr. Fowles, "The Ease of Love,sang
-
remarkably well. Mr. Fowles fine voice was heard
to great advantage in this number. The chorus, " A
Maid more beautiful than May," was sung with great
finish, and was one of the best efforts of the choir.
Mies Forest(' gave a very sympathetic rendering
of the air, " Bliont on my Roses," and received very
hearty applatew. Exoeedingly well sung was thy long
chorus, '"Mitl the waving -Lose trees. Mist Fenn
gave the air, "Yet chime they so sadly.- very taste-
fully, but in • seuewliat lifeless style, which greatly
detracted from the performatew. The difficult trio,
" Haat Th.da Wandered," was done full justice to by
the three sob oiste. One of the beet maulers was, the
tenor air, "The Step ,4 Even,- which waa beautifully
sung by Mr. Outings. This gentleman has never
apposed in lhorcheeter before, but he was so success-
ful ou this visit, we hope to have the pleasure of bear-
ing him Again. He is the principal tenor of Hereford
Cathedral, and a very proomising vocalist. He was
encered for his artistic and tasteful rendering of the
air, but, ..wing to the length of the progranitne, bowed
hie acknowledgments. In the duet with Mi.
Fonsta, I know a H.selied Shining," Mr. Casting
again sang exceliestly. and both singers well deserved
the hearty applause that y•sa evoked. Th. juy,,u.
" Wedding Chorus " 's-as rendered Su splendid style,
the band and singers displaying • preelehei Jed a
solidity that might reasonably have been expected
after repeats: rehearsal, but which was all the more
remarkable when it is known that, owing to cireune
stances, the full band hut wit bad a single coniplete
rehearsal. Mr. Fowles' beet effort wast4e fol., "Where
eh. nuy pine trees rustle," in which he displayed. re ere
and a funnies in the upper register that we had
warmly given hies credit for. Mr. Castings was
again very successful in the recitative "For fnen the
atimmer's Blesseu," which served to display the
exquisite quality of his upper notes to, great
advantage. Thy charming chorea .4 elves f• or female
voices, • Farewell, Sleep Thou Lightly," was sung
with great effect. The coneluding chorus, "Yea,
e'eu as die the Kosice." WU very powerfully sung,
and brought the cantata to a highly eatiefactory coo.
eluaion. It would be folly br say the rendering of the
cantata vina faultless, but, apart from • liveitancy in the
attack on the part .1 the chorus 'di one or two
occaeions, and one ur two minor details, this,. war 1
n. thing that the nest exacting critic could 0.n.0.).
.4. Mr. 11..yton Sinith occupied Ida ..1.1 pelt
and wielded the IsstAn with that skill and
eflicieety which are characteristic .of such an eccetu•
loirdasi teusicien.
Part If. epees,: with Haydn's symehony, each
movement of whicti. (a) .Vtjagio ma non tr..ppo, (b)
Miutiette Allegretto, Sall hi 4.llagri/ apiritiew, was'
rendered with tlie greatest delicacy and skill. Not-
withstanding it was rather too lam to suit Use "setts
i 4 many, it was a source (4 reel pleasure to isundiers
in the audience to whoni it is a real trouble that they
cannot hear (toed mimic performed here nese fee.
queutly. Miss Recta Fonsta gave a tasteful render-
ing of the tong, "At Heaven't Gate," and an