The New York herald., 1875-10-21

oRAToRIo AT srEINwAY HALL-''THE MESSIAH"
The oratoro Of 'The Messiahu was sung at Steinway
Hall last night by the Centennial Choral Union, aided
by distinguished artists, chief among whom
was Mile Titens This was the first of series
Of oratorio performances which to be
given in tins city by this society,
ana the OF the initial is auspcious Or st
better results in the future The chorus surprisingly
well trained, and nearly all the numbers allotted to il
sung with force dprecison At first the effective
ness of the society a singing organization not
so apparent, and even the chorus "And He SHAH
Purify feebly rendered; but excellence was at
tanned with confidence and the subsequent number
''For Unto Us a Child is Born'' was splendidly done
This success apparently was necessary to give the
Union the requisite trust in themselves,
and having once obtained IT, they were
equal to every emergency. With the exception
ofMe. Titiens and in less degree Miss Anna Drasdil,
the solo singers were in painful contrast with the
chorus. Mr.. Alfred Wilkie, the tenor, ex-
ceedingly feeble, and Mr. J. r. Thomas
only the echo of himself Some imperative
necessity must have compelled the engagement OF
there artists In his first recitatve Comfort ye my
people," Mr.. Wilkie sung out Of tune, and even the
most unmusical ear could detect the faults OF
his singing His best effort was the re-
ctativc, ''A they that him laugh him
70 scorn,' but in the following and 'Behod and
mediocrity OF his previous endeavors. Mr. Thomas is
we'll known oratoro singer that any criticism
OF his singing Is unnecessary; but his best days
over, and it would be well that he should
forego the oratoro stage His voice Is not only
worn but broken, end prudence dictated 70 hIn
last night not sing the entire aria, But who shall
abide the day Of His comingl" But he still retains hs
ART Notwithstanding hls voice is gone, and though his
notes were isolated from each other they
still in perfect time-shadows in perfect pro-
portion the object from which they cast
In most respects Miss Drasdl, tile contralto
ay tut4 EIpr In hIf
in the middle register She charming Her best effort
was, HE despised and rejected. /" what was
most noticeable in her singing last night was
- fervor, and The recalls ,ehich we're be-
sjo- Il upon her testified to the general excellence
~ hcr orL Mile. Ttens was, as fanfe says she
ayavs has H., = IN oratorio superb. She sug with
al eGort IN aGt,, and trumphed by eytrc-ae siul-
picttv IN hor Gr"i -, There were shepherds
ah'ding ~ the field, she showed tIs et co,,.,a 1i
sIehsth and power, combined with peri,~ 1in tbe
sni .u aIe lhe essentials oi oratorio singing. att~
~ agg2Isequeht ~ aria 'NRcioice greatly, q daughto.
i. nio ner magnificent organ lent grandeur y the
- Which has rarely been excclled Her greatest
success 70 be expected, was IN the aria II
know that my Redeemer liyeth, which begins /,
we do not think it was her greatest ,
effort Throughout she held her powers ia such l
complete reserve, and surprised only by the .
perfection OF her art and the divine simplicity
qualities which she displayed this occasion.
Her success complete and completest - those I
who able 70 appreciate It because Of the absence
of everything which might be regarded as merctri- II
cioNg AZ d whole tho performance very great
succeos and tho future efforts Of tho Choral Union
will duf!btscss crown last nights work the
picious beginning of very important under
taking We need Orat0rO society which shall
rival orr lavoTite old Philharmonic IL musical excel
lence ana II Is within the possibilities that this
organization shall accomplish this important result