Conisborough Musical Society.
Second concert.
The second concert in connection with the Society was held in the board School, Conisborough, on Thursday evening. A full band and chorus was under the able conductorship of Mr. H. J. Sharp, who spares no exertion to make his work a success.
Principals in the cantata were – Sopranos, Miss Bateson and Miss Nicholson; tenor, Mr J. K. Bateson; contralto Miss Haye;, Mr H. L. Smethurst. Miss Sharp ably accompanied.
The first part of the programme consisted of W. Hutchinson’s cantata for voices and band, “the story of Elaine,” the libretto of which closely followed Kenny sends famous “Idyll.”
Those to whom the story of Elaine and her lover is familiar, through the pages of Mallorys Morte d’Arthur, need not be reminded of the enchanting glamour of romance of the story, but with the added beauty of appropriate music and artistic interpretation, such as were given on Thursday evening, it may be believed that the cantata one from the audience it’s mead of grateful success.
After the introduction the chorus led the way royally with the thrilling song “The Morning Wakes,” and the chorus “All Hail to Him who comes,” was also appreciated.
Miss Nicholson’s song, “Like the Silver stars,” with imbued with a fit poetic feeling, here clarified voice being carried finely above the resonance of the accompanying violins.
“The misty moonlight softly falls,” was splendidly rendered by Misses Nicholson and Hey, and Mr. Smethurst. The bass was very effective and the whole song very picturesque in the extreme.
A tenor solos love song of Lord Lancelot, “Thy Soul speak, food I love the eyes,” in which Mr. J. K. Bateson “kept the even tenor of his way,” with great effect.
“Sorrow in sadness passes with the day,” as also did those subtle afflictions, on hearing the chorus render this song, Miss Sharp’s accompaniment running feelingly through these praiseworthy efforts.
Miss Hay sang Dame Elaine’s love song, “he rides away,” with effective piquency, as also she rendered the layering and illustrative “Why are thy eyes?”
“The vestry bell is pealing,” was also the fitly given, after which Miss Bateson gave the pastorale “the vast rebel is peeling” – a separate round solo.
“The sunlight of life behave passed away,” was sung very cleverly by Miss Bateson, but the accompanying music was as a hand upon vibrating strings to his aspirations to perfection, the Recititive “like a flower that fades away,” be more adapted to a reasoned and ambitious bass voice.
Mr Smethurst then gave his tuneful answer to the immaterial problem “Why do some roses fade?” After which the chorus gave “Hark! The music of the breeze.”
“The brow of night,” with its fine conclusion, was a reconciling close to a successful entertainment.
The latter portion of the concert was enlivened by the pleasing variety of the chorus opening with an adaption of Shakespeare’s tale “Oberon in Fairyland,” after which Misses Hay and Bateson confirmed their hold upon the sympathies of the audience by their descriptive interpretation of fine words with in sympathetic music, which consisted their efforts.
Duets and glee’s followed from various members of the band, Mr J. Venus and Mr. Reaseback being particularly happy in the difficult task of the musical blending of the strains of such intricate instruments as a violin and flute.
The band was as successful as ever.