The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-02-24
AMUsEMENTS.

ACADEMY OF MusIo.-The repetition Of the ora
torio Of Bittah BY tie Handel and Haydn Society
strange position in this city. IL has innumerable
partiSansj It has an immen,e party popuantyj it
has, however. but doubtful an disputed position
amonEst musicians. Beyond ali doubt, the existence
Of society for the stadY or music IL good thing,
Il NOT under efcisnt dlssction and not n good
school, are aimless and Disappointing. The Handel
and Haydn choruses are utterly wanting in style.
monotonous sort of routine utterly wanting IN the
spDIt of the music. There is no light or shade, no
expression, merely the notes, and not lalways the
The mass Of voices, too, in Elijah were poor and
Ineffective That might arise from the fact that many
who stood score in hand forgot TO give sound to tue
notes they read The best choral was "Behold God
the Lord passed by@ the most , magnificent pece Of
progress. The choruses are not more artistic or
more perfect than they were years ago.
last pert rmance TO Mr.. Rudolphsen, is admlTa-
bly, cultivated musician. Knowiedge, soul, and ex-
pfesmon he has, and most thorough appreciation of
the cha acier Of the music of Mendelssonns spiritual
conception OF "Eijah," with the dreaminess,
the ,S majesty, The simplicity and and pathOs
DIR. Gmlmette has q high baritone OF great
expression, highly cultivated, and perfectly even.
HIS phraslng OF the recltatYe was admirable. Inc
recititive, Though STRICKEN" and the atr, "lt is
enough" were sung with great pathos and finish,
and produced most thrilling effect Mr. simpson,
from New York, is well known to us. He mas q
charming voice, which is we'll cultivated, and is
emily most careful students iOr eac1 time he has
ment in his style. His voice has acquired strength;
1t is a pure tenor. Mr. Simpson 10 one OF tne beat
English singers we possess, and sacred music is most
especially his STYLE Both of the ladies we heard for
the first time They have immense clique or party,
which is one of the distinguishing features OF the
Soc ETY., TO divide itself into factions.
Miss Alexander has a sop ano voice, fresh and
clear, but 1t Is thtoati, and fl the upper notes
certain, such G, A, and b. The midd notes have
often nasal sound, Miss Alexander sings coldly,
but her voice Is true She is entirely lacking
in style ano her pronunciation Is indsEinct
Miss McCafrey has acquired great reputation
AWAY through her faction. WIththe Assurance that
she Is perfect, ii is difficult TOR young lady to
believe che has any 10 study. The charm of
this young lady lies in the quality of her vOice-a
mellow sympathetic contralto. But the voice
limited in its range, Once 1t reaches it breaks,
and not heying the entire control of her
voice. the result is a abrupt change from
the rich, full notes into hard and wooden sounds.
Miss Mccartney has great natural expression, though
she mouths too much, and strains after effect WITH
the advantages we have signalzed Miss McCaffrey
has the power to become an artist as 1t is she Is
merely pleasing singer. Her Crest in the Lord"
was her chez d'BUUre.
Carl Sentz conducted, and had a difficult task to
maintain entente cOrdtdLe between the singers
and the orchestra. 1t IS, however, good to have
heard this great creation OF the sDirLUal and INTEL
lectual genius of Mendelssohn and though this rend
ton, taken a whole. s full or detects 1t gives
leea OF what that sublime composition must be wnen
well executed.