The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-12-15
The Oratoris seassp.

The very highest form Of music and the
drama is oratorio IF you doubt, 60 listen to
the Creation" says an inspired writer, "or
any other sublime oratorio, and mark the po-
tency Of many impassioned scenes upon =
people who as yet are but in the FIRST chapter
ofwhat may become to them a noble volume.
Listen TO the heavenly sounds, and ao-
knowledge that 1t is in moments like these
that the heart expands in its sympathies, that
men grow gentler and better, determine upon
goodness and build up hopeful resolves" It
Is a species Of holy opera, elevating and refn-
ing, without the exaggerated passion, sensuous
ideas and artificial life Of the stage opera. In
its construction and rendering all the powers of
musical genius and resources ofpoetry, religion
and indebted drama are employed, The
greatest composers, Handel, Haydn, Mozart,
Mendelssohn, &C., contribute their noblest
energies to give musical expression to the
sublime poetry Of the Scriptures, and chorus
orchestra, organ, piano, 10 fine, every means
that music can employ, unite in the rendering
of oratorio. For the solo parts none but artistes
Of the very highest order of talent should
be selected and the rehearsals Of an oratorio
should be far more exacting and thorough than
those Of half dozen operas England has
been particularly fortunate in becoming the
first home Of oratorio, and since Handel pro-
duced his messiah" there in l741 this sublime
work has made its influence felt in every part
Of that country. They have their cathedral
festivals every year, and in London the season
Of oratorio is looked forward to with as much
interest as the operate or dramatic season.
Oratorio has hitherto been neglected in this
country; and last season Mr.. Harrison, Of
Steinway Hall, made the first organized at
tempt to render it q permanent feature in the
metropolis. Before that time we have had, to
be sure, the Messiah given every Christmas by
the Harmonic Society, but no further effort was
made to establish in our midst the highest
last season, however, was encouraging "The
Messiah" sCreation," Elijah Judas Mac
cabeus," ~Samson," "Forty-sixth Psalm" and
"The Seasons" have been already heard under
favorable, or, at least, promising circum-
stanceA and on one night Of the Messiah
thirty-6ve hundred people were crowded in and
around the hall. The oratorio nights have al
ways attracted in this city larger number
OF people than the opera or naked drama,
which is an encouraging sign OF the true spirit
Of the public. People will 60 to see ballet and
hear broken down vocalists because they have
nothing better furnished to them by our
theatrical managers; but let oratorios be once
III
reign OF spectacles and trashy opera will be
soon al an end. What can be more sublime
than the Hallelujah chorus, or "The Heavens
are telling" or the exulting hymn Of the
Israelites when the long drought ends In
dcluge Of rain at the prayers Of Elijah
Hundreds Of voices aud instruments, with the
thunder tones Of the organ, peal forth those
sublime utterances Of thanksgiving to The
Most High, more sublime more heart touching
and more truly religious than oil the sermons
of preachers and enthusiasts Let all, then,
interested in music, let ell who have spark
OF religious feeling in their souls, let all who
desire the refinement and advancement OF the
public mind, see that oratorio be not neglected
and suffered to die through lack Of patronage
in this city. II is something more than mere
amusemsnt--it is ennobling, civilizing and
harmonizng The angriest feelings melt before
It's softening influence and the verisst cynic ID
thawed into humanity at is voice. II Is the
echo Of the millions Of archangels that send
celestial harmony through the vast halls Of the
Eternal, the echo Of the sleepless Tyre Of the
universe. and the highest expression Of mans
acknowledgment Of Supreme Being. Let
u not die. then, In this oity.