Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1876-05-19
Terms--sa.Oon year, always in advance.
TIE GRAND CONCERT OF THE HARMONIC

TIE GRAND CoNcERT OF THE HARMONIC
SocETY.-DUDLEY Bucks Don MUNIo--A
SPLENDID SrccEss.-The rainstorm could
not prevent the assomblage of an audience,
on Wednesday evening week, which filled
the CITY Hall, and which lacked nothing in
cultivation and appreciative interest. The
performance more than fulfilled the highest
expectations. The Harmonic Society has
often hitherto vInlicated its title to exist
ence and generous support; but never old
50 fully as on this occasion. Our musical
readers 10 not need to be told that Dudley
Buck-who has just added new laurels to
his fame by his National Cantata, at the
Centennial opening, and who was the only
American composer deemed worthy to share
with Wagner the honor Of place IN the
centennial programme-excels as compos-
er Of choral music. His " Legend OF Don
Munio" (Dresented for the first time IN
Burlington on Wednesday EVENING" abounds
in fine choruse-. We did not doubt that
with Mis- Keith's clear soprano, Miss Stan
ley's full alto. Mr.. 5. D. Hopkins excellent
tenor and Lnmbard's magnificent bass, the
solo airs aud the Duets and quartettes by
tie solo singers would be satisfactorily
given. But could the Society, on pretty
short preparation. swing the choruses? Ii
not. the be-, possible solo talent could not
redeem the presentation. If anybody IN
the audience shared these apprehenslons
they must have had them agreeably dis
PEELED by the first chorus, " Ave Nara.
l. j. one OF the incest things in the Caniata'
aud g was given with degree OF express
zion. harmony. power and general effect,
which surprised and delighted Us. We
thought. Dc closed. that it was the best
choral .rf.rmaace We had ever heard in
Vermont. and On deliberate reflection We
can rc..u aotlin. finer, accomplished by
chorus Of home voices.
The other fli choruses, seven in number,
were al given in a most satisfactory way.
the " Evening Hymn" in Part H., particu-
larry 20. The lively chorus ottemalc voices
was fairly given. and the - Battle LYNN, -
OF male voices wa, sung with much spirit.
The cia-ia- chorus was especially good.
These pieces showed the effects OF the rein
forcsmeut of fresh voices, which the Society
has received within a year, and Of very ei-
feo.l,e drill 1t the hands Of Mr.. Phillips.
They wer. given by about forty voices Sc
lcctcl from tde Sjciety's chorus Of sixty
and they showed good work and steady
pro.lc--, in the Society.
The solo part. a. We have inumated were in
good hands. Miss Keith's voice has gained
in depth, and lost nothing IN clearne-s and
brilliaUcy. -.ace We last heard her in con-
cert. Her opening recitative and aria was
cxccllcndy rendered; and the duet with
Lumb4ri. 10 the second part, was good.
Ms Srau..y's part hardly gave an adequate
opportunity for her deep c0ntralto, but 1t
showed finely in the tenor and alto duet,
- Dews Of tile Summer Night Mr.. Hop
kins performed his part exce.lenty, q did
Mr.. james \ Brown, who had tenor re
citaiive and aria, and each was heartily
applau1ed OF course, a great feature
Of the evening was Mr.. Lumbard' 5 singing.
He did doulle duty, taking the parts both |
of Don Muuio and Escobe1o. These gave |
him no less than four recitatiyes and airs IN |
the f rzt part. and parts in a duet and quar-
tette in the second part. These were all |
admirably given, and in the choruses his /
presence Wa. scarcely less valuable, has 1
grea; bass voice being heard distinctly in /
each, and seeming TO give great solid |
on which all rested. Between |
the parts, by especial request. Mr. Lum-
bard sang Scots VIVA Haze, " as only he /
can sing 1t, and in kind response to an en- !
thuSias.ic encore he sang Rocked in the /
Cradle Of the Deep" 1t was a most for
tunaJe circumstance that Mr.. Lumbard |
could be secured for the concert. We hear
no bass singer IN Burlington, nowadays,
that equals him. Mr. Wood presided at
the grand piano. and gave the only instru-
mental accompaniment. in a most accept
able manner. Mr.. Phillips. a. conductor,
welded the blt1n like a maestro and l.
10 be congratulated on the very pronounced
,ucee-- OF the presentation. All in all, it
was a particularly enjoyable performance,
csedinble to our home musical
.alen., and a brilliant close OF the season
for the Harmonic Society.