Mexborough & Swinton Times – Saturday 20 December 1913
Conisboro’ Musical Society
Excellent Performance Of “Elijah.”
Those people who attended the Church Hall on Thursday evening had a musical treat presented to them. The Conisboro’ Choral Society are to be complimented on the excellence of their performance, and great credit is due to Mr. J. H. Brocklesby (conductor), the chorus, orchestra, and principals for the excellent musical ability which was displayed. It is to be regretted that such a fine performance was not attended by a larger audience and greater encouragement offered to our musical friends connected with the Conisboro’ Choral Society. A great expense is incurred in the organisation of such an effort, and a display of such zeal is worthy of far better patronage. We congratulate the Society upon their musical ability, and hope they will be better supported in future.
Amongst the audience was Mr. F. Ogley, C.C., J. Brocklesby, J.P., C. Kilner, J.P., Rev. W. Strawbridge, Rev. D. Roberts Davies, Mr. C. A. Wilde, Mr. V. Rose, Mr. G. Appleyard, senr., Mr. H. Downing, Miss Bryan, Mrs. Jackson, Miss Drabble, Mr. M. J. Brock.
The orchestra, under the conductorship of Mr. J. H. Brocklesby, performed their part in a most efficient manner. Leader, Mr. H. H. Sharp; 1st violins, Messrs. H. H. Sharpe and H. Wilson; 2nd violins, Messrs. J. Harvey, E. Greaves, P. Chambers; violas, Messrs. R. Wilson and W. Johnson; ’cellos, Miss C. Preston and Mr. W. Wilson; bass, Mr. W. Laughton; oboe, Mr. A. Hallows; flute, Mr. J. Venus; clarionette, Mr. G. Preston; bassoon, Mr. M. Laughton; cornet, Mr. E. Trout.
The principals were: Soprano, Miss Nellie Judson (Scotch and English concerts); contralto, Miss Waterton (Yorkshire concerts); tenor, Mr. T. W. Green (musical society concerts); bass, Mr. W. A. Hamer (London and provincial concerts).
Mr. J. H. Smout is a courteous and enterprising hon. secretary. The chorus consisted of about seventy voices, together with the four above-mentioned principals. All were in excellent voice, and their renditions were all that could be expected, and gave great satisfaction to the assembled audience.
Miss Nellie Judson, a soprano with a national reputation, was making her second visit to Conisboro’, and her performances throughout were warmly appreciated. She possesses a sweet, pure tone from start to finish, and was heard at her best in the air, “Hear ye, Israel.” Miss Waterton, the contralto, had some delightfully emotional passages to negotiate, and the rich timbre of her voice was happily suited to the material before her. The classic “O Rest in the Lord” was particularly well sung, and her part singing also was altogether admirable.
Mr. T. W. Green, of Sheffield, who is well known in the district, and whose oratorio work is much admired, was very much at home all the evening. The lovely theme, “If with all your hearts,” was interpreted with great judgment and deep feeling, and his performance was the impressive recitative, “Man of God.” The baritone, Mr. Hamer, also of Sheffield, a vocalist of very considerable versatility, who scores both in opera and oratorio, and adapts himself with ease to the varying character of the music he is called upon to render, was probably the most successful soloist of the evening, and secured the largest measure of appreciation. He had some beautiful items to sing, and he made the very best of them. “Lord God of Abraham,” was easily his best performance, and, indeed, he reached a very high standard throughout the whole of the encounter with the worshippers of Baal.
The musical gem of the evening was the quartet, “Cast thy Burden,” but it was closely challenged by the chorus, “He that shall endure.” It was a capital performance throughout, with principals in excellent form, and an absolutely disciplined choir taking advantage of every beautiful feature of a magnificent work. The audience throughout was keenly appreciative, and the Society strengthened the already excellent reputation it has secured in the Conisboro’ district.