The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-05-20
MU s E M E N rs.

the occasion OF the second performance OF the grand
musical festival Madame Parepa-Rosa was the
only soloist the rest Of the programme consisting OF
orchestral music. She sang "Let the Bright Sera-
phm" and "The Bird and the Maiden" two OF the best
selections from the works OF Handel and Spohr that
could be chosen for her. We have spoken at length
before OF her rendering of these two pieces
and need only add that there was nothing to ind
ault with In them last night She encored IN each.
Mr. Dietz played the trumpet obligatO In the former
piece with his customary excellence. or the orches-
trail selections the most important was the "Refor-
nation Symphony" composed by Mendelss0hn In
the year 1880. and played on this occasion for the
first time in New York. 1t is now the regnlng or
chestra favorite IN Europe and Herr Manns created
quite a sensation in the London musical world by
bringing II out at the Crystal Palace 1t was CON-
posed for festival to celebrate the three hundredt
anniversary Of the Augsburg Confession, but was
unaccOuntably suppressed at the time. The composer
took interest In this work than probably in any
OF his other productions and always looked forward
with hope and anxiety to hear 1t in public Strange
to say, the symphony bloomed into life long AFTER
this master mind had ceased to exist. True 1t was
performed once in Berlin two years after 1t was CON-
posed but that was only at some obscure concert.
II is unaccountable how the surviving relatives OF
the great composer should keep such q work
so long In obscurty We only hope that they
will not treat his remaining unpublished
works with like Indifference There is, unfortunately
every reason 10 suppose that many OF the unpub.
lished works OF MendelssOhn, Schumann and Schu-
bert are made source OF narrow minded specuia a
ed. The reformation symphony" s an undoubted
masterpiece in every sense OF the word. The choral
of the opening andante breathes OF the tenderness
poetry and dellcacy OF sentiment which has
bestowed upon Msndelssohn the title q the
character about it which cannot be mistaken
as to It's origin. After trumpet flourish
ton OF the nearer. the movement breaks into an
allegro con fuOc0, as unlike MendelssOhn as any.
thing can be- and more akin to schumann. The
second movement, q scherZO, Is Mendelss0hn from
beginning to end, and MendelssOhn, too In his hap.
pest mood little waif of melody, catching at once
even the most unpractised ear Is woven into thing
OF beauty" whchis the quntescence ofmusical poet
ry. To describe 1t would be like analyzing the ever
changing forms OF the kaleidoscope ripple OF
the wind instruments, dialogue OF the merriest
kind. tri Of the flutes tremolo OF the 'celi and
delightful Ola podrida OF musical "fun and Joyous
humor." II we may be allowed to use the expression,
such as is rarely heard In an orchestral work. Puck
seems TO be perched the conductors stand and
the one hundred instruments are his attendant
spirits. An overwhelming encore followed
introduces Martin Luther's celebrated hymn after a
majestic andante opening. "A Safe Stronghold" is
1t occupies prominent position in the reformation
symphony" single flute gives the first measures
and striking manner It appears again with Bach
Handel like accompaniment OF the vlolins, and
the inc Is S xe , With se
full power Of all the Instruments we do not think that
Mendelssohn ever felt this TO be his forte" He Is
musical poet, and tenderness and dellcacy best De-
come him. Tie describe the sun-lighted valley
better than the rugged mountain peak over which
that the sior M will now take
prominent place In the programmes OF our muslcai
rest Of the programme .onsisted OF Bachs
suite In D, No. 3; Beethoven's third overture 10
"LenOra ~ or "Ftdel0." and the dramatic symphony,
BerOZ.
orchestra, comprising the flower OF the philharmonic
and other ORGANIZATIONS was any conducted 9.a oS
delightful treat TO all present. Tonight Mendeilsohn
orator,o Elijah" WIN be given , the solosts are
| and Messrs. J. Il. Thomas, simpson, scott ana
Tucker.
FRENCH THEArRE-RICHINes OPERA TROUPE
The delightful opera of Martha" as given In the
| English far more Pleasing 20 an American audience
| than the Italian rendering. was the entertainment
last evening at the French theatre by the well trained
and always acceptable Richiugs opera iroupe-Mls
| Richings Ne Martha Mrs. Seguin a. Nancy, MI
Castle as Lionel and Mr. Campbeil a. Plunkett-'
quartet az completely meeting all the re
| QUESTIONS OF the several characters and on
Of the pretty Ss ory 1 any any ' sas,sn
German or Italian version SO surely, too, In TIL
opera, as In this case does this harmonious troup
| draw first rate house that we wonder they do no
ostener give us this evercharmng story Of Martha,
| with its sweet and never failing music This even
Syss nop NIT seo The
which, with ts romantic story tie wilder scent
effects and accessories. ana its many choice bits
music, airs md choruses is widely regarded
more attractive even than Martha" II all thes
| English operas we have the combined attractions
music which all ENJOY and play which al csn W
derstaEd.
| Musical and Dramatic Notes.
Barney Williams gives a matinee fer the benefit o
the Dramatic Fund a. the Broadway to-day. "Cor
/ psa IN
should assist this worthy institution.
Mr.. s. n. Pike has q rain storm o, HE opera hous
every night The clerk OF the weather u seems mi
| nishes him with IL.
! Bateman has O new stick.
"A young woman who now forms one Of the femal
| attaches Of Yankee Robinson's circus" says IN
quincy Herald, "snd who now appears In 'Undine
on the gilded throne IL the daughter Of Phiade
| phia banker and graduate Of first class fasi
ionablc boarding school She lately visited Decstu
70 see some relatives and made the acquaintance
rowing, rakish young man, with whom she elopc'
to Clinton, Iowa. she now wears or short dresses
a. neat TIE: and alsgsyS psI sHiss ,! sSs Ss,9
panytng charms ~ literally, a. her more expef
enced sisters We are informed that committs
Of ladies visited the girl last week, and endeayore
10 dlssuade her from accompanying the shov
Their efforts proved futile, however, for she has
he ks,asao T.norom states that ny. Hsrriso
| has been left legacy Of 100000 by relative
England" This does not mean Lafayette Harrison
| the impresario, but another man.
Mapieson threatens M IN the fall with an imnens
opera company, including Kellogg, Tltiens sno Val
zlni. The 1927 stockholders Of the Academy 81
| consequently In ecstacies
| Lineard, the London ''eensation" Of Che Corniqu
| IL drawing good houses. -
| Mr.. Edward Seguin, one OF the stars OF the Eic
inRs opera troupe, takes o bene1t az the Theatl
Francsle tonight. The Bohemian Girr ~ promise.
Lille Eldrdge replaces Lucy Egertop 10 the WIN
Fawn.n
The Bryants had another fine house last night I
| their beautiful little hail In Fourteenth street.
Madape Ristori appears on Saturday night ~ u
Brooklyn Academy - "Sor Terera' Tor the last tlIh
Her final farewell engagement AT the TneAtre fra
| Gals 10 positively nxcd for next week, -.