The New York herald., 1869-03-29
ST. STEPHENS CHURCH.
Bersc's Mnss No. 1-Grand Performance
Of Sacred Music.

AStAoS-S AsAueD SsVs 1-OENuu
Of Sacred Music.
Christmas ana Easter are the brightest gems in the
Christian year, and in no church in this city do they
shine with such ec1at and brtlliancy as at DR..
McGynn's beautiful church. 1t was perfectly aglow
yesterday with twinkling lights the altar resplendent
with rich decorations and clustering flowers. 1t was
q coup d'gtl worthy Of q Basilica and grateful
tribute Of to the mystery OF the Resurrection,
After forty days. fasting and humiliation, after q
week Of tremendous mysteries. and after Of
mourning, during which the church clad in SOM
Dre rament, the mass and vespers at st. Stephens
yesterday Of nature to the veriest cynic
To say that the church was crowded would give but
q faint idea Of the number Of people who were
present or who vainly endeavored to get inside
that On yesterday every aisle ana passageway was
densely crowded, the size OF The congregation may
be imagined. The mass was by the accomplished
Organist, DR.. William Berge, and Is work OF rare
dramatic effect and power. The effects introduced
are startling but all characterized by the utmost
taste and art The Ky7Te alone is a complete nov
city In every sense Of the word. 1t commences with
tympani chime Of bells and voices There are two
distinct melodies In the Klie one OF which Is given
by the bells and the other by the voices. Two very
large bells strike the keynote and dominant alter
natey during the piece The Cnriste Eleis0n Is
soprano solo. The Kv,'ie is then repeated IN this
six-eight movement, the bells chime in ttw0-four
time. and the tympani count four in a
and then merely as f0H to the large bells. The
GtorlG commences with trumpet blast, tympani
and choruhlof eight voices The Et IN Ie,1'd Par IL
ior ladies' voices alone. La,aan.ns is duet for
soprano and alto. GrdtidS Agtra,ts Is lovely tenor
SOLO, which was sung by Signor Tamaro in style
which brought out all its expression and devotional
spirit Then comes long ela6oratey written aud
for first ana second bass. II is very trying and IA
tiguing but yesterday received full justice ut tho
hands OF Messrs. Huck and Tlcck. Chsn ,Ssfi1t0
Spatitu and the Amen nnalo bring THO part % tho
mass to close in Q brilliant manner. The Sredo
opens strangely with bass 300, followed by
each OF the other solo parts in canon form.
Et in Unn1. Dontnum Is charming soprano sc.o,
Then comes the most striking and effective humber
in the mass. Ge1iifunt non Jnciunl Is chorus for
male voices without accompaniment; IL Is extreme
ly diff1cult, having several cnharmonic Intervals.
the mass, and was sung in exquisite style. Afler
tenor solo (CTttclfruS) came q startling Et ReSu
reTit. 1t would be impossible to give an adequate
description of this highly dramatic m0,reau on
tenants rise In their cerements as the voices surge In
stormy measures. Another quartet without accom-
paniment but this time for mixed voices, follows.
The finale OF the Cyed0 is very peculiar and
brilliant in the Hos1nn1 IN Erce,sis. Gounods in
imtable Aue MdrfI was sung at the ofertory by
Madame De Lussan, Mr.. Tamar0 presiding at the
plano and Theodore Thomas taking the violin part.
In the afternoon, at vespers, Bcrge's Magnificent,
Eeukomens Tuntlns Ergo and an oratorl0 Oh the
"Kesurrection,n by Lamboth, were given. The
regular choir OF the church rendered the solos.
Nine. De Lussan and Mrs: w. Rcrge soprani;
Huck tenori, and Messrs. Coletti and Flcck bassi,
assisted at both mass and vespels. A large chorus
Of nfty voices and o quartet OF brass instruments
were also present Dr. VIM. Berge was the organist.
and the overture to ."Gazza Ladra" after ycspers.
DIR. McGlynn preached at the gospel.