The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-12-29
Tho Christmas Oratorio.

There Is no plcasanter custom than that
which now seems firmly established. Of giving
the Messiah" at Christmas-tide. Unhappily
many conductors IN past years have made this
custom wearincss by revcrently giving the
oratorio in all It's length. This brought its
conclusion not far from midnight and scnt the
audience home tired rather than refreshed. by
most iudicious cutting DR.. Damrosch reached
the final chorus NJ little past II. Three hours
OF oratorio music. even from Handel's pen. Rre
sufficient for the most devout lover ot sacred
The performance last evening was an entirely
satisfactory one 50 far rs chorus and principal
singers were concerned. Tho orchestra was az
times unsteady aud uncertain.
=. Tho solo parts were taken BY Miss Hauk.
Miss Drasdl. Mr.. simpson. and Mr. Whl,ncy
The three latter are ctime-honOred singers Of ora
tOrio music and their eminent qualities in this
field have been recognized for years. Mr. Whit
ney has no superior in this direction that we
know Of Formerly he marred the simplicity
and beauty OF his style by Il somewhat affected
manner Of pronQuncing his words, as though
tho most absolutely distinct pronunciation were
not also certain to be The most beauu-
lul and telling. But this he has re-
formed. and In oratorio his singing gives
pleasure without any alloy or drawback. Miss
Drasdil sometimes inolncs Ia over sentimentnl-
ize her music Handel il pathetic enough as
he stands. without this aid Of Fictitious focng.
II is always matter of regret that an artist MS
gifted MS Miss Drasdil should nnd il neees sary
effect
The only novelty that the performance Of tho
Messlnn presented was tnht MISS Hank as
Rumed the soprano part
II Is quite the custom now OF our prima
donnas also TO enroll themselves in the deyout
ranks OF sacred music, Parepa. of course. did
80. for sho was, first OF all m oratoro singer.
and next prIma donna. Nilsson sang in the
Messiah" when she was here, and 50 did
Nine. Titiens. Nine Rudersdorn. and others.
. 1t was doubtless generally thought that Miss
Hauk's talents lay quite In another sphere. and
that she would not easlly accommodate herself
TO the rigid forms OF Handel nor acquit horsel
well, hampered and tied down, os she was GER
tain to be- by the bonds OF tradition that
a singer no manner OF license or cnprlcipus
variation from the musical tcXt. But those
who supposed that because Miss Ilnuk
sang Carmen we'll she would sing the Mos
slah " i'll, were disappointed by tho result.
Though II WIS the first time she had sung in
this Oratorio there WAS no hesitancy, nervous
ness, nor any lack OF full understanding Of the
music and its requirements. The rOu-
manner OF difficulty, but In tho lIeIoce
greatly were sung with an care and
finish that showed in how excellent n school OF
yocnlism she had been trained. and that rho
the result OF n life OF inmil liarily with Them Nor
was the true devotional spirit wanting. In
this aria. and in tho more generally Gp-
precated one. Il know that my Redeener
and Of the text was preserved. In two of her
cadences. or final notes OF the arlas. Miss Hauk
availed herself Of slightly different reading
from that OF the text, for the purpose OF
greater effect. But. as we have suggested singers
seldom carry an audience with them in such
changes. especially an audience sitting. score in
hand, and Jealous OF every variation from the
manner in which they have been accustomed 10
hear tho oratorio, But il was evident that II
not In this, certainly in other oratorios Miss
Hauk had been trained 10 a full experience in
this character OF music. for no novice could
and 40 artiRticallY.