The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-11-04

Hitchcock; and among the active members q
tho Executive Committee are Mrs. Marshall o.
Roberts. Mrs. John Sherwood. and Mrs. w. X.
friends filled boxes. parquet. and balcony.
The seats had been sold for the most part
II friends. and between the acts there was n
visiting from box to box, and a deafeninR noise
oi conversation such aa IL habltually seen and
heard In the opera houses Of the Lesser Italian
cities. but is most lnaccustomed affair IN this
country. The Theatre had quite the air Of u
foreign one. With q French play proceeding
on the stage. and ladies' and gentlemen in even
ing dress throughout the house. 1t was difficult
to imagine oneself in New York
The play was performed with that dclicacy
and finish which 80 uniformly characterlzes
the work Of French actors. better one might
ms s enough In it's deycopm"nt refined in
sentiment and ingenious in plot. it has little
emotional quality and Is devoid 81 humorous
ioguc. The result must have been gratifying
to those Interested in the society and have put u
considerable sum to the credit of the fund.
Theodore Thomas's Fret symphony Concert.
The first concert of Mr.. Thomas's Sym
phony series was given last evening at Stein
way Hall. before an audience large. earnest.
and sympathetic. and composed Of the old.
familiar phaanx OF the unsteady faithful.
with some nterminglin9 of newer faces.
There was calm, appreciativc attention. but
little noisy applause: for the programme was
throughout too gravcly and thoroughly artistic
to call for or allow much camorous demonstra-
tion. That belongs rather 10 lighter music and
the efforts of virtuosos.
After such serious changes In the compost
ton Of this fuvOritc orchestra. and on occasion
OF this their first formal evening concert In
their altered organization. 1t becomes OF in
terest to inquire Just what effect these change
have had. or promise to have. upon the
efficiency OF the whole. II IL hut natu-
in the sustaining force Of one or two
individual performers OF peculiar eminence
This WIS perecptibly though not obtrusivey
noticeable in the performance OF the beautiful
Handel concerto. in which the hahtue of the
Thomas concerts might he forgiven for miss
ing the firm bowling and clear penetra.
as vet clear. either. that the volume and
quality Of tone " the first strings is. 20
far as exceptionally fine ns we hive known
them. \ lack. too. may bc felt in that beautiful
promptness Of attack and sympathetic response
! 10 the will of the conductor which could only
| result from the incessant practice Of IA band
| playing together. one might almost say. every
| day In the year. But Us this result has been
reached before. II can. and probably will BE-
agnin by the same pro ,ess.
To offset any such slight criticism. IL Ia pleas
| ant to repeat that the enlarged number OF IN.
| strings gives fine richness. dignity, and
warmth to the whole cooring and the orches.
| ira, If Il shows any slight deficiency in snap nd
| drill. amply makes up Tor II by the broad gen.
| cral discretion. thoroughness. and appreciativ,
| quality OF its playing.
More minute comment on the special num-
| bers would bc superfiuous after the comments
| already given upon Thursdays rehearsal
! though II may not be out OF place TO add tina
the Msistcrsinger quinlette. spite ofthe merits o
strong enough to do Justice TO the massive out
| lines OF Agncr 5 composition.