Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1861-03-22
CONCERTS IN MONTPELIER

4" oVVvIuhhoe Win the previously puOush-
cd programmes, the citizens Of this place we're,
on Tuesday and Friday of last week, favored
with two Concerts, under the direction Of Mr.
and Mrs. G.. II. Clark, recently of st. Johns
bury. The extraordinary character Of these
concerts, (having been gotten up wholly from
ladies and gentlemen Of the village attracted
larger houses than we have ever before seen
at concerts in this place, less than six
hundred being present eact~ovcning
On Tuesday evening the Flower Queen was
successfully sung by ABOUT fifty young ladies
and misses, all dressed in white, and each rep
resenting some particular flower, or several
combining to represent group Of flowers
The audience attested their appreciation Of
the success Of the undertaking by frequent
and hearty applause. and at its close every one
present seemed to express the utmost satisfac-
ton
On Friday evening the " Haymakers" was
sung. Though originally intended as an opc-
ratio piece, it was on this occasion given as a
concert, and with great success The audi
ence was as large as on Tuesday evening, and
appeared TO enjoy the singing with full as
much pleasure. The singers were from the
Methodist, Episcopal and Brick Church ohoirs,
with such other assistance from residents Of
the village as the occasion required, and the
wonder was that they could perform so diff
cult piece of music so we'll on SO short re-
hearsal. Some parts of it required the best
ofmusieal talenl9s y every case singers were
found who were equal 10 the task. We viii
not trust ourselves 10 make distinctions where
all did so we'll. But while we thus give our
general commentator Of the performance we
cannot say that we esteemed it perfect. In
deed, were Mr. Clark to produce il again we
think he would greatly improve it, There
were intervals between the solos. Ducts, quar-
tetts and choruses that were painful to the au-
dience from the fact that the character of the
piece required no such interruption, but was
rather marred by it, Then the changing Of
position for the solos, Duets and quartetts
gave it too much the appearance of a set per-
Torrance of various different pieces of music,
rather than Of one continuous cantata. These
little defects Mr. Clarke undoubtedly discov-
cred, and would rchedy if he was to bring it
out again. To us !, seemed that there should
be no interruption Of the d" story" for change
of position, or speeches and explanations,
which only wcared the audience and dctract-
ed from the general interest. A beautiful
song in the course Of the piece was most
splenddly sting, but entirely out of place, and
ought not to have been introduced Most Of
the audience had heard it several times be-
fore, and knew it to be foreign to the "story,"
and to them it seemed more an interruption
than pleasing passage in the oantata.
After the close Of the Concert, the singers
joined in singing " Old Hundred, with a
most happy effect Mr.. and Mrs Clarke are
entitled to the greatest praise for tho perse-
verence and tact with which they have man
aged these rchearsals, and our singers are
richly repaid for their time and labor in that
they have had the benefit of their musical
abilities and training. This they most gen
erously attested by unanimously passing the
following resolution;
Resoirsd reasrs i6autJof lhe e..oeiajg onpe,s Of
Montpelier are hftchytend,red to Mr.. aud MIS-. G. H.
Clarke for their Nnd and perseverng labnrs among us
in efforts TO cultivate and dcvcopc the musical talent Of
the place and thar best wishes attend them vhor-
ever they may go to engage in like labors
We will add our own commentator Of
Mr. and Mrs. Clarke to the lovers of good
music wherever their lot may be cast May
the richpst of Heaven's blessings attend