Concert – Chichester Observer – Wednesday, 14 April 1926

MUSICAL SOCIETY'S CREDITABLE PERFORMANCE. The members of the Selsey Musical Society gave a concert in the Pavilion on Friday evening, the major part the programme being a performance of "The Wedding Feast." from Coleridge Taylor’s well-known and popular work, "Hiawatha". The effort proved a great success, and opened the eyes of those people who were unaware of the fine talent embodied in the society. It was encouraging to find practically the whole of the seating accommodation in the Pavilion filled, music-lovers from all over the district being attracted. The general theme of the piece is the wedding feast Hiawatha and Minnehaha, to which the guests have been invited. "Old Nokomis" has prepared a "sumptuous feast" for them, and for their entertainment calls upon "the handsome Pau-puk-keewis" to dance bis Beggar's Dance; Chibiabos, "the sweetest of all singers," to "sing his song of love and longing"; and lagoo, "the great boaster,' to tell some of his "immeasurable falsehoods." At the close the guests depart, leaving Hiawatha “happy with the night and Minnehaha." Over 50 singers took part, and under the capable baton of Mr. F. Idle, L.R. A.M., they treated the beautiful, but difficult work with surprising skill and feeling. The general impression was that the performance was a highly creditable one. Mr. John Adams took the tenor solo of Chibiabos, "Onaway, Awake! Beloved,” and received a great tribute from the delighted audience, which appreciated to the full his fine, well-controlled, mellow voice. Mr. Percy Lewis, from Chichester, was in charge of the excellent little orchestra, which was composed of the following: First violins, Mr. P. Lewis, Mr. W. Lampriere, Miss Keller; second violins, Mrs. P. Lewis, and the Misses Ferne and Hobden ; 'cello. Miss Travers; flute, Mr. J. Hopkins; clarinet, Mr. F. Elderton; bassoon, Mr. W. P. Breach; cornet, Mr. F. Clark; piano. Miss T. Denman. Contributions to the second half of the programme included vocal solos : “Linden Lea,” “To Mary," and "Sigh no More, Ladies," by Mr. John Adams; "As you pass by," “Bless you," "Annie Laurie, and “Tie a string around your Anger" by Mrs. P. Simpson; "Invictus, "The Man of the Cape," "Drown Dull Care", and "Prudence," Mr. A. N. Other; and violin selections by Mr. Walter Lempriere. The entertainment concluded with a piece that found great favour, the “Bridal Chorus" from Cowen's “Rose Maiden". During the interval, a presentation was made by Bishop Twitchell, the Rector of Selsey, to Mr. Idle and Mrs. P. Simpson, "a little memento of the Choral Society of 1926." Mr. Idle, said Bishop Twitchell, was always ready to help on good music, especially in his beloved Selsey, while Mrs. Simpson had rendered invaluable services during the past season. Amidst hearty applauding, Mr. Idle responded, and after paying tribute to the society's effort that evening, said that though he was being praised, all the credit was due to Mrs. Simpson. He also mentioned Miss T. Denman, the efficient pianist. Mrs. Simpson also responded.