The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1881-05-03 00:00:00

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DORCHESTER VOCAL ASSOCIATION.

This excellent association gave the first concert of
the sawn at the Corn Exchange on Thursday evening
bust, and we need hardly say that it was a most enjoy-
able one. The attendance was very large and fashion-
able, and comprised—

F. Rintier•ley, E-q.. Col. Wilkinson, Mrs. A. Mengel
Miss Weston, Mrs. Williams Mrs. Herb--rt Williams, I
CoL Henning, bins Rodfett,, Rev. Barnes, Or,
Fisher, Miss :oymoads Miss Cooinbs, Mr. A. Hamm, I
Mr. li. W. Hodoe, Col. Oldriel Mier Andrews, I
Dr. George, Mr. Sainsbury, Mr. E. Pope, Mr. Peard
Jillard, and Mrs. Jillard, Rev. J. Poole, Mr.
Damon, Mr. A. L nck. and R Mr. Davis, !
Mr. A. Spicer, and Mrs. Spioer, Mrs. Cake, Rev. I'.
Russell-Wright, Rev. A. A. Leonard, Dr. Haskins,
Mr. A. Pop,, Mises* Ruegg, Mr. W. Darden, Mr.
T. Coombs, Mr. J. Lush. Mies Goodiell°w•Mr.F.
Snergold, Mr. F. licidisou. Miss Howe, Mrs.
Last, Mr. W. James, Mi.. Loader, Miss Blinmar.,
Mr. B. Hogg, Mies Robinson, Mr. Robinson, Mr. J.
Robinson, jun. Mr. Henry Du•ile a, Mr. E. Pearce,
Miss Harvey, Mrs. Case, Mr. Greg try, Dr. Norton,
Miss Gardener, Mr. Doudawall, &c., &c.
The chorus still maintains that high degree of
efficiency which they have attained under the direction
of the able conductor, Mr. Bovton Smith, who, we are
sure, mud be highly gratitial at the success of the
concert. As regards the programme, it was a most
attractive one, the first part comprising Sterudale
Bennett's charming cantata, "The May Queen "
followed by a varied miscellaneous part. "The May
Queen" is one of Bennett's brightest and best compo-
sitions, and contaLs some very pleasing though diffi-
cult numbers, especially as regards the choruses. They
were, however, in good hands, and not once during
the evening was there • symptom of uncertainty or
inefficiency. The soloists engaged were all favourites to a
Dorchester audience, and without exception they
acquitted themselves admirably. They were—Miss
Annie Sinclair, soprano • Miss Madan Burton. con-
tralto ; Mr. Henry Taylor, tenor ; and Mr. Henry
Horscroft, barns. The instrumentalists were—Mr. J.
Robinson and Mr. W. Stone, piano, and Mr. T. M.
Morgan, harmonium. We cannot help remarking
how excellently the accompaniments were played.
The overture, unfortunately, was, on account of its
length, entirely omitted. "Awake I Awake I" the first
chorus, was sung with great spirit and displayed the
good training the choir had received. The soprano
recitative for one of the chorus, "Now that the
Tree," was well taken by Mrs. Thomas. Mr. Taylor
was not in good voice, and was rather hoarse; and in
the opening tenor recitative, "Why Must I Linger ?"
and the air, "0 Meadow Clad," he rather disappointed
his admirers, but later on he exhibited some of his old
form. The chorus "0 Melancholy Plight," in A
minor was made as pleasing as possible, and
was rendered with excellent effect. The well-blown
chorus, "With • Laugh as we go Round," was sung
with much vivacity and brightness, sod in the accom-
panying solo "I have Welcome," Miss Sinclair
displayed her fine soprano voice to great advantage.
The recitative and duet "Can I not find," was sung
with much taste by Miss Sinclair and Mr. Taylor.
Mr. Horscroft gave the rollicking air "'TI. Jolly to
Hunt," in a bold manly voice which was much
applauded. One of the prettiest numbers is the
recitative trio. "The Hawthorn in the Glade, which
was most effectively sung by Miss. Sinclair Mr.
Taylor, and Mr. Horscroft. The next recitative and
chorus, "111-fated Boy Begone," was also will sung.
The Pageant musig, so graceful and pretty, was
played in a masterly manner by Meows. Morgan,
Robinson, and Stone. The fine chorus " Hsrk ! their
notes the HantUoys " was rendered by the
choir in good style. The gesen. Mien Burton, gave
the music entru•ted to her with much feeling and
taste. The concluding solo and chorus' And the
Cloud" was a fitting c aidusion to the cantata, and the
loud applause at the close, testified to the approbation
and pleasure of the audience.
The miscellaneous part commenced with a part.
song by Pinenti, "The Watchword." Mr. Horscroft
made a great hit in Stephen Adams fine song "The
Nlidshipmito," and he wat enthutiattically encored,
in response giving a pretty little nautical ballad,
"My Pretty little Polly." Miss Burton next sung
one of Blumentind's pathetic and charming song.,
"The Old, Old, Story." in a manner which
well displayed her excellent contralto voice. In
response to the undeniable encore which she received
she gave Molloy's exquisite song, " Darly and Joan,'
the applause at the close of which amounting almost
to a second encore. The celebrate trio "I Naviganti"
was sung by Miss Sinclar, Mr. Taylor, and Mr.
Horscroft, in an efficient manner. An instrumental
piece, a selection from " Martha " was played by Mr.
Stone (violin), Mr. Boyton Smith (pianofrrte), and
Mr. Morgan (harmonium). Mr. Taylor gave the song,
"The Maid I Love bath Many a Grace" (Hatton) in
his rid style and was vociferously encored. For an
I encore he gave a simple little ballad, "Somebody
Said." M.arzial's charming song, "A Summer
Shower," by Miss Sinclair was, perhaps, the gem of
the evening, and the lady created quite a furore.
As an acknowledgment of the inevitable encore, she
gave a charming setting of Longfellow's poem," Trust
her not." The duet, " 0 that We Two were !stray-
ing," was sang by Miss Burton and Mr. Horscroft.
The " Choras of Faggot Bind " concluded the
programme. And the National Anthem brought a
most enjoyable evening to a close.