The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1875-11-07
Cardinal Manning ON Church Music.

The London correspondent of the Cleve-
land Universe, writing under date of Oct.
4th, says:
At the luncheon which followed the
opening of st. Boniface'e Church, London,
the Cardinal took occasion to refer in q
somewhat jocular strain to the reform OF
Church music, a subject which has been
engaging much attention in this country
and on the Continent for a long time past.
He said he had not heard for many day q
Mass the Music of which pleased him SO
much as that which he had just heard.
O0ly the other day be had heard the hymn
of Benediction rendered as solo piece
somewhat after the manner of an opera.
1t was q sort of wretched recitative, fol-
lowed by quick movement taken from the
"Chough and Crow" His Eminence also
raised q laugh by his description of the
way in which he had heard the Litany of
Loretto sung, part of the music bearing q
striking resemblance to the braying OF q
donkey. am glad to say that this ques-
ton of ecclesiastical music was seriously
considered in the last Provincial Council
of Westminster, whose decree ''concern.
ing singers and the ecclesiastical chant
has just been published. After an inter
esting and instructive preface on the history
of this chant, including the objections to
women ging in choirs, the Fathers OF the
chant, coming to US from st. Gregory, ia
properly and prominently the ecclesiasti-
cal chant, and then they proceed to make
DEGREES to the effect that in ecclesiastical
seminaries and colleges the Gregorian
chant is to be carefully taught both 10
theory and practice. The Cathedral ana
the larger churches throughout the province
are to excel in the execution of this chant,
and boys are to be taught music in schools
in order that the singing of women in choirs,
especially of those who are hired for
money, may be done away with. Passing
on the harmonized music, the Bishops
protest against an effemiRate style which
Was "avoided even by the heather" "Let
music" they say, quoting st. Nicetus, "be
in harmony with holy religion, not seeking
after Grammatical effect, but showing forth
in us true Christianity; having nothing
which savors of the theatre, but exciting
sorrow for sim" Above all, the Fathers of
the public to the divine Offices by means OF
notices and placards, wherein are stated
the names of the musicians and singers,
| and they desire that if notices must be
| issued they shall contain only the names
! of the .celebrant and preacher, the subject
of the sermon, and the object of the collec-
ton. These DEGREES have already had the
effect of checking fragrant abuse. In
various churches, especially in the metro
| polls. the music has for years past been
made an attraction for Protestants, who
have been regularly invited to attend by
advertisements in the newspapers among
the theaterical announcements. To such
| an extreme has this system been carried
| that the performances in certain churches
has been sneeringly designated the SUNDAY
Opera" AS my language may otherwise
be accounted too strong, l will quote ar
extract from pastoral lately issued by the
Bishop of Beverly, who asserts that or
some occasions 'T have really been tempted
Sacrament to an abrupt termination rather
than further countenance by my preeepcs
| a perform nce which at least regal as {
profanAtion." The days of the "Sunday
| Opera" are evidently numbered.