Mexborough and Swinton Times, December 19, 1902
A Grand Musical Evening.
Denaby Main.
Performance of Handel’s “Messiah.”
Handel’s magnificent oratorio, “The Messiah,” was publicly given in the large hall, Denaby Main, last night, by the members of the Denaby Main and District Musical Society, and despite the undoubted intricacies of a great composer’s work, the interpretation on the whole was entirely worthy of genuine praise.
The society has now been in existence for a few years, and has from time to time given a good account of itself, and last night the performance was eminently pleasing to the fairly good audience assembled, hearty applause breaking out ever and anon with appreciative spirit. All told, the band and chorus numbered 100 performers – about 70 chorus and 30 band.
The conductor was Mr. Moses Soar, and, as usual, he wielded his baton with great success, keeping the performers up to time with admirable precision, the chorus singing being marked by distinctness of enunciation and sympathy of expression, the few defects discernible being easily overlooked, considering the admirable standard of merit maintained throughout a long and classical programme. The band, too, did remarkably well, their heavy musical task being skilfully accomplished, the leader, Mr. Ben Wilson, being worthy of special recognition. The solo trumpet was in the hands of Mr. Colin Wilkinson, of Sheffield, who demonstrated his efficiency with this particular instrument. Mr. Wilson was a skilled pianist, and, in fact, all the musicians and vocalists acquitted themselves quite credibly.
Coming to the principles, who naturally were listened to with great attention, the society can be congratulated on securing the services of a remarkably talented quartet of well-known Sheffield vocalists. The soprano, Miss Clara North, possesses a voice of singular sweetness and flexibility, and, as an equally pleasant contrast, Miss Amy Skerritt’s rich contralto voice reached a similar high standard. In his vocal renderings, Mr. W. Burrows proved himself the possessor of a tenor voice pure in texture; and Mr. W. A. Hamer’s deep and thrilling bass tones permeated the building in his selections. Indeed, all four vocalists scored distinct success, and as they were backed up by well-balanced chorus and band, the concert from a musical standpoint was of a high order.
The great length of Handel’s masterpiece forbids detailed mention of every item, but reference should be made of the opening overture by the band, which prepared the way for the good things to come. Mr. Burrows led off with the opening vocal notes of the work, and his interpretation of the recit., “Comfort ye, my people,” and the air “Every valley shall be exalted” was really first class, the chorus harmoniously following with “And the glory of the Lord.” Mr. Hamer gave a fine and skilful rendering of the recital “Thus saith the Lord,” and the air, “But who may abide,” the course again doing well in their exposition of “And He shall purify.” In the recital, “Behold! A virgin shall conceive,” Miss Skerritt displayed controlled power in her beautiful contralto voice; and in the air and chorus, “Thou tellest good tidings,” the chorus took up their parts with telling effect. Mr Hamer again followed, and that fine chorus piece, “For unto us a child is born,” was given in truly credible fashion. Then came Miss North, who, in sweetest song, traced the story of the shepherds, to whom the Lord appears and gives the Divine message, and the audience listened in rapt attention as the old eastern story was so beautifully unfolded, emotions being aroused as the chorus burst into the swelling harmony of praise in “Glory to God in the highest.” And so it was all through the work; merit won attention, and kept the audience in a world of music and song. Just to mention a few other of the excellent renderings, we were much struck with the two quartets, “Since by man came death,” and “For as Adam all die,” by the Sheffield vocalists; as we were also by the success achieved in the splendid “Hallelujah Chorus,” when the united voices gave a rendering full of the spirit needed for such a piece.
To sum up, it was a concert of distinct merit, and the society, of which Mr. J. W. Harbottle is the popular secretary, gave a demonstration of musical talent, a credit to the surrounding district.