The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-04-01
ST. FRANCIS NAVER's (RGMa, CaTaOLIC)
CHURCH.

1t is seldom that this pretty little church OF the
Jesuit Fathers is so crowded as was the yester
day morning when the solemn high mass CON-
menced and the first notes Of the KyrIe OF Berges
"Messe Paschale' were waited from the choir. The
musical services were undoubtedly tue great attrac
ton that brought 50 many together IN spite Of the
un-Easterly, or rather nor casteriy weather The
organst, DR.. William Berge. mad made special ar.
rangements and long renearsals Tor the occasion,
and the result proved satisfactory in the highest
degree. A better vocal quartet could not be found
IN any church i'll the city than Misses Teresa and
Maly Werneke and Messrs Tamaro and Bacelli,
although tue last mentioned gentleman has disa-
greeable propensity for getting occasionally on
the track in singing and nounderlug
about hopelessy III concerted pieces But
the trio. soprano, contralto ana tenor,
are always reliable, and certainly such difficult
work as the "Messe Paschale'' or Berge tested
their abilities to inconslderabe extent. The
organst ranks the very first OF all choir directors in
this city, and by his nimitabe organ playing he is
capable OF carrying even badly trained cnor
through great work without the possibility or
break down. But with such an admirably trained
body OF singers as ne commanded yesterday Dr.
Berge made the Interpretation OF hls work Il
pleasure TO the congregation There was very
large chorus and quartette OF brass instruments
TO assist him ana the soloisls
III
mass OF more dramatic erect or so admirably ex-
pressive OF the sublime words OF the Catholic SER
vice. II Is artlng IN some OF its effects but good
taste governs II all through Even IN the 'Kyrieu
some extraordinary novelties are attempted. FIRST
we have a melody for the voices IN ID minor and
IN god aaraatny yet q opposite in Character as
can be imagined. Two large bells give the i1nda-
mental note or each chord and number Of small
bells fall like snow fakes on The majestic, sonorqus
| harmony OF the voices. radiat1ng each measure
1
| sim more brilliant frame. The soprano then sings
/ passion and tenderness Tnen tie "Kyr,eT IL re-
/ peated in what might be termed most audacious
manner. lhe voices sing IN o-S nme the bells
effect Is bizarre, but undoubtedly striking
A TRUMPET FANFARE
! nan and an eighr-part chorus The soprano and
1 alto voices then announce "Peace on earth 10 men
i or good wn and duet for the Misses Werneke
gives the 'Iauda,nus' an additional beauty. Mr..
| Tamaro next sang lovely tenor SOLO, "Eratias
Agimus." which IS conceived Ia the best Italian
| style.
with the other voices in canon form constitutes the
declaration OF faltn embodied N the word Ctedo:
A chorus OF male voices, In four parts without
accompaniment, gives pecuar character 70 me
9nfft,yn non ntCfltq. IL Is almost diihcuit IN
| its constant changes the celebrated trio from
| "Robert 10 Diable.n But the great feature Of the
mass Is the magnificent picture OF the "CIucinNion
ana Resurrection" rnc OILY iauit TO find with the
mass rs lts ambitious character aud the high stand
| ard demanded from the voices, which VIII ever
| place 1t out Of the reach oil nne.ienths or orr
| church cnors. Miss Teresa Wernckc sang the try
| lug soprano solos admirably aud Slgn0r Tdmafo
| proved himself unauesoaaDy. the prince Of church
| tcnOrs.
| GOUNOD's AVE MARIA
| was sung al the ORertory IN singular iorm The
weknown piano accompaniment was given w
Miss Mary Werneke on the harp few cnolrs can
boast OF q contralto and horpst united IN tne same
LADY,. Mr.. Leievre played the melody on tie saAo-
| phone. Mr.. Bergc, or course, rendered the organ
| part and the cnorus came IN win new words
''Benedicton-wlth rare enect
Vespers commenced at nve O'Clock 7. NJ, and
were noticeable for u very Satisfactory rendering OF
IamDlllottcs grand oratorlo OF the Resurrec.ion,
| BerQe's .Reglna UGliu ana Uranium Ergo.H We
have written az length On previous OCCASIONS about