, 1870-04-07
Our Own Nrcrn Trorlnen

A few weeks since, tho GernauiA Mmuner-
chor Of this city performed yon Webers opera
Of 3'Der Frcischutz," at the Opera Houec, as
siEted purely by amateuts in tue leading roles.
and met with gratifying succass, both musical
u and daaacia1ly. Incitsd BY this SUCCESS,
and accepting the assurance that legitimate
entertainment would meet with generous pat
ronaBe, tho Conco1dia Mnnne1chnr, !. rival or
Ganization, and an otfahoot from tho Gezma-
niaS at once commenced tho study of Mozart's
great romantic and Masonic opera, .Ihe
Magic F1usc," and, after two or three montha'
prsetacc, performed Il for the FIRST time on
Monday evening, With complete gucccss IN
every respect, although it is one Of the most
dii1acnlt and t1ying works in any repersoi,e.- In
the matter Of eossumins, properties, md ger
eza1 mounting: in the excellence Of instru-
mentation: in the precision, force, and
efficiency Of choral effects and ia the strength,
EXPRESSION and dramatic and musical succcsa
Of the soloists, and arc not claiming too much
in asserting that the performance has mover
been surpassed, Il bas bean eqnaltd, since
thefts opera vas given hero in 1850. There
have been foreign troupos undoubtedly
stronger in some particular direction, but no
troupe has ever before given us euch an orches-
trA and chorus, such eveuncss Of excellence In
every part, even to tho nost trivial, and such
general e7,se.ntle.
Ihe performance was in every respect re-
ma1kablo and moro remarkable than appears
upon the s1111&ce- Here Was i chorus of
eight5'four voices and twe1re soloista, not ono
Of them professional nusiciauR. The perform
ers we're composed exclusively Of gentlamen
engaged in actiyn business and OF ladies' shns-
ing The responsibilities and duties Of societv and
household life, and yet, actuatea by an euthu-
siastic love Of art, thoy have found time to CT
change some Of the duties for the amenities Of
1ife, ard to study and master one OF the grand
Get and 1nost difficult operate works and to
perform it in = manner which challenges COM
parison with the best efforts OF professional
troupcs who are constantly in practice aud
make music the daily work Of their lives. That
there should e1ist in the rsidst Of ali the din
Of trade and this seething, restless struggle
for wcalth and place, Al organization, or,
rather, two organizations possos1iog such q
high degree Of musical culture and tho dispo-
sitjon and enthusiasm to exhibit that cu1ture
in such sueccsetnl manner, j. in every way
cseditablc to tho city, and especially to the
German clement Of Cur citizens, which has
done 30 much for good music in Chicago.
When the GezmAnia MGnnercAor had finished
"Der Ffeischutz," we congratulated the 10
| ciety upon it, aslccaes- We now have the
pleasant duty Of repeating that congratulations
| to tho Conco1ha and to its new and efficient
conductor, Mr. Grosscu1th, whose executive
! ahihsy in maric, no one can doubt after hea.ing
| the performances Of the Magic Flute.
Both societies md both conductors, Mr.. Gross.
custh and Ar. Ralatka, have reason to con,
gratulxta themselves also. ehope, however
thsy viii not rsst supinely upon their sril-do
ing; hut, having broken tho ice, thas eAah 90
eietE VIII continue its healthy competition, sni
enter At oneo upon the study OF other works.
with view to pnblic performance.