The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1880-04-27 00:00:00

VOCAL ASSOCIATION CONCERT.

Any insinuations against the Dorchester Vocal Associ.
Mimi were triumphantly refuted by the immense popu-
larity of the concert which came off on Tuesday night, at
our capacious Corn Exchange, where no large an audience
VU accommodated as few places In the c aunty could have
afforded room for. That the association has now lasted all
these years, and passed through the vicissitudes and trials
incident to being formed of so large and varying • number
of singers, is greatly due not only to the good feeling with
which the townsfolk of Dorchester cling to and support
each other, but also to the excellent judgment and
management of the courteous hon. secretary, Mr. IL
Hodges and the power of the talented conductor, Mr.
Boyton Smith, whose pure taste in musical matters leads
so large • number of musical amateurs to rely on him with
full confidence-4 confidence well deserved. It Is indeed
rather surprising that "times effacing fingers" have not
dans more to diminish the symmetry of the association,
for musical societies seem in general to suffer greatly as
time rolls on, so that often there are in their histories only
periods of prosperity quickly followed by decline, and then
under favourable circumstances by revival, and then again
by another ebb of the Ude. But at ILirchuter the rood.
&Wm seems perpetually to be renewing its youth. And so
may it continue to do, for beyond doubt it maintains •
large proportion of the sociality striating in the county
town.
Loyally came to the front at the concert on Tuesday
night, for they sang the National Anthem with
h=
re at the beginning, when the familiar notes were
not liable to be smothered by the putting on of wraps, and
preparing to leave, as happens when it is sung at the end
of a concert. The concert proper then commenced with •
short bat very judiclouseelection from Judas Maccabsus„
and lland3l's grand music was rendered with fine effect,
the association starting at once with a success in the
chorus "0 Father, whose almighty power."
Mrs, Steadman and Mir Annie Matthews tunefully
gave the exhorteion "Tune your hulas" in duett, and the
chorus wu taken up brightly and with thorough prompti-
tude by the association, who so fitxibly in gem rd i &wow
modated their voices tithe music that it is almost a pity
to mention this woe not universally the case, there being
an occasion,' instance where the treble voice was strained
beyond its powers. Miss Matthews's "So shall the lute"
was • very graceful specimen of toying with the music,
the eofteued effect in the middles( the piece was also done
juin.= to: • well-prolmrsl high note illustrated the lady's
power and helped to elicit prolonged applause. The chorus
Sng unto Gal" was a splendid proof of the power awl
training of the association ; the full tide of harmony
poured forth with itlllol.lllo power, and when towards the
close, the ingots seem to become almost breathless with
their effort., and to send out the music in detached bursts,
the intention of the author was done full justice to, no
when the .ingers pegged oe to the full-54.11,n climax, the
applause showed that the audience apprscisted the client.
Perhaos we may here remsrk that -ultlirtugh the tenors
apposred to eight rather few, yet too v.eizes when they
c.ame t e sing were found well balanced, and these gentle-
men must have fulfilled their part remarkably well, while
it is gratifying that they were not drowned icy the other
and apperently stronger groups.
Sullivan's "St. Agnes, Eve," was next lung by Mrs.
Steadman, who dieplayed some of those low notes for
which she is so famed ; the applause was great and some
attempti it to encore.
Ao unta oil treat, in a vocal concert, wee afforded the
lovers of bigh class music, in the coaile'reation of powers
by those three libelee ruoeheil musician., 'ells' Beide
Newm in (piano), Mr W. Stone (violin). end Mr. It yton
Smith ( ere(o.e). 'I he 83 artistes hail Vio fullest confidence
in each °11k..., awl their harmony M." exquisite, while
each succeeded in displayirg independent power at the
instrument under los or lice. touch,
_

The 11,t note.' of the fivourito air "With verdure
clad,". iittr ctc.l all attend, n to Misi Matthews, who
renders I the music in that calm and Woeful style which
befitted I'm Weis ICUS La steady ant prosperous growth
of beautiful fruit and floaers, while occasionally the
extraordinaty power over her voice poaessed by the
songstre rttehletl her to accomplish beautiful and attr c.
tire effects. and she wad warmly applauded, after being
most intently listened to. Tie applauae swelled t •
alccidrd elm 'r.; not only by the audience but the
Ater &major% ; tut the lady acknowladgel by a bow, it was
too early yet to add to the ro.rcume.
The coveted's.; choruses of the first par: wera gen Tally
well reset atod • ablaut all the s:n „ers t Lida; careful nut to
attempt exciveling their pi aim,.
Part 11 (Secuto), unnutence.l with L slloi part rnit—
" The era-hine's bride." most cheerily and hotto iiii,usly
rill, sole jolly
uo iVirriouadl;Wirebfyor EZ:.".,"':ieE"nl:lll2
singers.
" Oairit (Gotaford Dick) teal • triumph of Mies
Matthews, who gave calves in t tha varying emotions
which must have swayed the f duily of the poor vicar
about w Lem Goldsmith wrote so well long ago. And
Miss Matthews this tone had to grant the call for an
encore song, wisely selecting the charming Soottiah ballad
—"Bonnie Jockie," which she sang s charmingly that
only conaideration for what remained on the programme
prevented a second encore.
Miss Mary Wills Lock, RAM.. gave splendid perform-
semen the piano—Chopin'a " N,acturne "mad Madarren's
" Tarantella, being rezviyeil with great applause.
Blumenthal's "Sailor boy's farewell " was a great success
for Mrs. Steadman, who had by this time taken • belt ir
measure of the Corn Exchange, and filled its large space
as tunefully that she was deservedly encored, when she
gay, with true feeling" Darby and Joan," and did justice
to her rich contralto

Tbe three musicians who had delighted connebsenrs
before next eave that remarkable overture of Clx:rulittii's,
"Lodoiska," with most piquant effect at the comm. nee-
man% and conveying to the audience the differing moods
which the music suggests, in pleasing and ouggestive
style.
Miss Annie Matthews carried the synin.athlea of the
audience with her by rendering Subvert,' " Maiden's
Story." in which she gars co much pleasure that a con-
siderable part of the li.teners had gait) a c..ute it with the
association. On the !alter rising to sing the glee "Sir
Knight," the shoute of in tore were very persittent. But
the association had a good thing in their repertoire, and
knew it, for their glee went very sato t dy and with all
the expresaiiin deserved Alms a wild, lawleas subject, but
was rendered remarkably well.
We hope 'twill not be considered invidious if we give
nut verdict for Belle's duet, "The Sailor sighs," by Mrs.
Steadman and Mr. Morgan, es the gem of the evening.
The lady's voice had, if pmsible, improved by this time,
and Mr. Morgan', chorded admirably with her's, so the
combined effect was delightful, and the bind and pro-
longed applause certainly was equal to an encore.
Once more the association c included with a triumph,
for so must be noted their "Market Chorus." S mut of
audience were quite led 'goy in their enthutinsru, the
chorus was sting in such excellent time and tune, end
with all the vp'rit that made it • mist muccoisiul ileela.