The New York herald., 1871-05-05
MUSIC AND THE DRAMA.

CHURCH MUSIC ASS0CIATf0N.-Under tne aDove
inexpensive and slnguarly chosen name is known
the nobes musical organz alton existing at present
In New York. Founded by a number OF wealthy art
lovers, with slngeness Of purpose for art alone,
Graded in the nursery OF fashion alone and directed
by conductor-Dr. James Pech-whose talents,
energy and zeal have been wholly employed In Its
service, 1t Is no wonder that this society should
have at once commanded the earnest attention OF
the musical public. Its exclusiveness Is only
temporary, and was, perhaps necessary 70 give
It the prestige and start which would place 1t on
sure foundation, and we understand that next sea-
son Its concerts Will be thrown open to the general
public In more democratic manner and on the
necessary conditions which Its high tone Of arrange
ments may demand. The closing concert at Stein
way Hall on Wednesday night was remarkable
perfect jam, and many ladies attired In fa evening
dress were unable to procure seats The chorus
numbering between TWO and three hundred singers
and the orchestra. over eighty, were seated In an
artsticaly arranged staging built the regular
platform, rising TO the height OF forty feet from the
oor. THIS presented the performers In very ef1ec-
tive tdbeau Utcant, over which presided the baton
OF DR.. Pech. The following programme was per-
fOrmed:-
Overture-La Muete di Portici. .Auber
Grand Mass-so orchestra and chorus .Nisdermeyer
The music to "A Midsummer Nights Dream" .Mendelasohn
Auber's overture was given with immense elan,
OF musical expression. Niedermeyers mass-never
before, we believe performed III this country-nas
freshness and agreeable now OF melody, united with
succession OF choruses, some OF which are evi-
dently based uoon the model OF the old masters.
manner OF Rossini. The principal attractive num-
bers OF this work are the Gl0rta, C1'edo and the
e'ledctus, In which latter the principal vocallss-
Madame Anna Bisl0p Madame Clara Perl, Mr.. Will
liam ID. LeRgat and Mr.. Franz Remmertz-were
worthy OF commentator. Mr.. William D. Leggat
particularly distinguished himself Tor his correct
the movement preceding the Bered,ctus, piece
demanding ns most exquisite deliSacy Of handing;
given, both chorus and orchestra entering into the
work with intelligence and spirit ~ the choruses,
Glim'ring Light" were sung by ABOUT 200 young
ladies of the association with precision and effect.
cess It's airy-like character, tunefulness and har
mOnlc combinations never failing TO sustain the
interest and win the unanimous applause Of the
audience from beginning to end. Nine. Anna
Bishop and Nine. Clara Perl sang the few solo
passages contained in the work, and Mr.. Arthur
Mattnson very effectively read those portions OF the
play which Illustrated the various movements OF the
music.
rendered to Dr. Pech by the association.
We trust that the work which has 80 auspi-
Ciously commenced, and Is In The interests Of true
art, will be continued next season In like manner.
When wealth and fashion combine to present The
best music IN the most attractive manner there ia
hope that the metropolis OF America will never
again he left long has during the past
without opera, OratoriO and concert worthy OF IL.
To DR. Pech much OF the success OF the enterprise Is
due, for conductor Yields much power Tor good or
evil IN musical society. The only thing now re-
qured for this society, before II taxes up Its quar-
ters IN the Academy, is to change Its name. Church
school and camp meeting, ana many persons are
misled by the appellatlon.
STEINwAY HALL-MRs. MACREADY's RECITALs.-
wet night and o slim audience lthe former proba-
bly, In some measure, the cause or the latter were
the uninviting circumstances under which this
test was trying one. as depended solely on her
own powers TO provide the amusement OF the even.
ing In spite OF all these drawbacks her reading or
rather acting, was fair success, yet somewhat
marred by the badly mixed nature OF the selections
given. Her best efforts were two scenes from Sheri
dan Knowles "Love Chase" and the somnampula.
ton scene from "Macbeth." In the first there
was dash and vivaclty winch were ire
slstible. Her conception. IN the second.
spirit Of Shakspeare's tlgress hearted heroine. In
the scene where Lady Macbeth eggs on her weakly
cannot be laid to the door OF inability; Tor Mrs.
Macready can embody strong passion when she
Wills Edgar Allan Poe's poem OF ''!he Bells' was
given according to her ''0rIgnal' idea. The tones
In which she rendered IL may best be appreciated
from the odd poem itself
They neither man woman;
They neither brute nor human.
It is q pity that lady OF such undeniable ability
and versatility should mar her good qualities with
StralnlnK tneHl polut over SUCH piece
OF put-me-in-my-lite- Dedsm as '.Wil the New
Year Come Tonight, Mamma 2" The scene from
1.Midsummer Nights Dreamn was, on the whole.
creditable although the individuality OF ve distinct
characters Is very difficult to preserve. second
recital OF the series, with an entire change OF pro-
gramme, Will be given at matinee on Saturday, at
TWO O'Clock.
GRAND OPERA HoUsE.-In spite or the sadly un-
proptlous weather, splendid house gathered
together at this magnificent temple or the muses. last
evening IN honor OF the benent OF Mr.. Henry G.
Page, the business manager. The programme
included q Dt6ldnge Of some OF tho most
popular musical pieces in the repertoire OF the
company, together with Morton's brilliant little
one act comedy OF sketches In Indian In
this last Mr.. Page himself appeared as Count
Gloreux. II was the first time he had ever been
behind the rootghts, but he acquitted himself ad-
mirably He was called out after the curtain had
fallen, and made neat and pointed little speech.
thanking the audience for past favors. Unbounded
and enthusiastic applause OF course haIled his
last word Elise Perslni sang the tJewel
Songn from "Faust," and well earned the
encore she received. The performance concluded
with the last two acts OF "Barbe Bleue." Aimee
took the part of Boulotte with her usual success-
Gausins, as Bluebeard was funny, original, sparkling
as ever. The rest OF the cast was admirably sus-
tanned. The performance was an immense success
ana certainly spoke well for the popularity Of Mr..
Page, both before and behind the scenes.