New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-05-13
TIE ORATORIO SOCIETY.

The concert last night at Steinway Hall gave
the new Oratoro Society its first opportunity TO bo
heard in a work of real magnitude and difficulty. Tho
hall crowded, and in spite of the oppressive amos-
phere, the audience followed the performance with
every indication OF interest and satisfaction Handlers
Samson" was in some respects very happy choice
for what we may call the debut OF the Society. It Ia
almost a novelty In New.York. More than six years
have passed since IL was presented here. and IL
was then cut so freely that its dramatic mean
ing was greatly marred, aud only its skeleton, SO
to speak, eft 1t abounds in choruses and! airs
whose titles are almost household wOrdsfor instance.
"Total Eclipse" "Then round about the Starry
Throne"" Honor and Arms" Fixed in His eyerIast'
ing seat-Rnt i may fairy be SAID that not note OF
the 6raoro Is heard 10 concert rooms except Let
the bright seraphim" Samson" in anyl shape there
fore would have been new to a New-York audience:
but Dr. Damrosch added to its freshness by restoring
many parts which it has long been customary u
omit, and revising some OF the usual arrange
ments Of the airs and choruses according
to the careful and authentic textof the German Handel
Society. samson" must always stand among tho
greatest OF Handles works. and 1t Is said that the COM
poser himself in doubt whether 10 give the prefer
ence 70 Samson" or THE Messiah" POsterity has
made its Choice without much difficulty; but there hss
never been question about the grandeur Of Samson,
the sustained elevation Of its ideas and the dramatic
character OF its From the pathetic plant OF the
captive hero with which 1t opens, ID
the impressive closing scene, with that astonishing
climax in which almost hears the triumphant shout
ing OF the celestial hosts the whole work is maryelousy
vivid 1t was begun only eight days after the com
pletion OF 1.-The Messiah" and was completed In nva
weeks large proportion Of the score given 10 so'
voices It's due effect 1t requires an array
of artists not easily assembled for an oratorl0 perform
ance The Samson OF Mr. simpson last night was excel
lent the tenor being in admirable voice ana singing with
much more than his usual animation. Mr.. Remmerh did
very well indeed with the part of Hdrdphd' and also
took the solos OF Manoah place Of Mr. sohst who was
indisposed The female characters were represehedov
Misses Simon. Mendes. and Henne and In these thero
was something 10 DESIRE though their Efforts were oa
est, intelligent, and credtable.
The chief interest OF the evening attached, OF course.
10 the chorus. This superb. IL was ABOUT y"
in number composed OF excellent material ana under
excellent discipline. Dr. Damrosch has done "ohaei''
He has taught his choir TO open their mouths
and sing boldly. They give US, consequently.
good round healthy, majestic tone ana ~ saen srh hna
numbers as the Fixed IN ms hcS nS nrstorio chorus
OF this city has equaled during our expetenee. nero
have AZ last body OF Justly ew baye ser en-
py feeIing ambition; and under the sklful direction
.csSmpshed leader We shall expect great
things of them. There can be no question ~
to Dr. Damrosch's pre-eminent g''I nome before.
IL was evident that held his chorus ana MS orshes
ira both under complete bo ortIparv Sratorio ao
companments and in several notable passages II was
remarkably ane i warren Tas and piano upon which
Mr. Cortada accompanied the reeitahr' seeen oesues
taking par, IN ouii %0' satisfied "0 with hi. ar
ransement. Handel used to accompany ms oratorios
with organ ana tno n ,bs assS ns
ont by some means or another Tho custom IN New
York has been TO scrape rev tnla chords On ,o ana
Haydn society In Boston makes great deal Of ehesa
Of tine Inc b panS ne, ss'T ws tho S
wherever II can DO adopted,