The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-04-26
AN GsEnfENrB.
me.se,....... nu.A a, s,e,nwsy Hell.

The performance nj Mendclssohn's eli
iah" drew together 90 lnrgc an audience list
evening TINT the smaller M well rs the larger
hall was called into rcluisiton. And the
manner in which the work was given merited
oven a greater audience. Looking back over
tho many performances OF Elijah" In this city
We recall but very few superior 10 this. either
in point OF excellence on the part Of tho
chorus. or In the strength of tho SOLO
parts. II is to he remembered that 1t has
been sung here by the Boston Handel and
Haydn Society under the direction ofthcir CON
ductor. Xcrraln. mud with tho Thomas archcs-
trn. Tho Edith Wynno and Santley conbina-
ton have also sung in 1t. and Carl Formcs and
rarepa have in old times won the highest
admiration in It. SO. that tho Elijah. Is
city. where, as u rule, oratorio does not
flourish. This same society. under DIR, Dam
Sst two yours" Hut I lat evening" ali wss better
than cvor before The parts were b.ater
shaped. the marks Of expression more carefully
society seems To have superintendent the tru}i,
TINT in order to get tire right effects from,
or her p"r wih the Same curc assh a.
y were solo. This IL what tho mendclssoifn
Cleo club does. and IN this way they produce
those effects which seem marvellous 10 so
many. II IL all the easter for n greater MAS
Of voices to accomplish the same result,
In their power to make are In proportion to tho
numbers. But Of all things It seems the mos,
difficult TO persuade n,ass o. p,Esons thnt u y
the proper paccs for respiration. that they
should phrase passage In the same mann,u
and thatthorus singing In no more nor less than
solo singing on n larger scale
Doubtless these truths. 50 sclf-evident. yat %
rarc II application. have found ledGment Ia
the Oratorio Society. for their work shows II.
The solo parts were intrusted chiefly TO Mmr
Pappenheim as soprano Miss Adelstie Phi
Whitney. bnss. or Mr. Whitney and Miss mi
lips II II unnecessary 20 speak. Their reputa.
ton as oratorio singers has long been ilSci
here or in England than Mr.. Whitney. and Til.
we say remembering how great Is Mr.. Santleys
reputation in this regard. Miss Phillippss
voice has lost some Of its freshness, but not It's
paihos and ,sensibiitv. which enable her tc
move her audiences SO profoundly IN such solos
ms 20 Rest in the Lord " md Woe Unto
helm III oratorio. and II is sate to say thnt sh,
was heard without disappo ointment. She is q
singer Of true musical INSTINCTS and large in
talligunce. II Us evident to the most careless
Observer that she loves and honors her art. aud
this is by mrnnH TO be- said OF all Of those who
practise I and use 1t for gain or Tor their owl
Ii must tc said that there arc certain hard and
unsymnath,tic tones in Nine Pappenhcim'i
any softer emotion. But thrre are few so
pranos who are able To render it'll such breadtl
anu liSnly ul' utnhlntc anu el'Nhtcu portions
| of the music. such for instance. us the erea
aria . Hear ye Israel" In the concerted
parts she WIS n sustaining force and IL tn,
Angel trio did not 20 perfectly II WINS because
the three voices were 80 entirely unlike la the h
several characteristics that there WAS no blend
| ing quality VI tone. Each stood out by itself
| instead OF melting into the others.
Mr. Bisrhon was something OF disappoint
ment. lie sings with too much stage effect. anc
| In too spasmodic u fashion-hursting out "a
| notes and ncccntinE his passages forcibly, y,
| that there II absence Of that dig
nifty and rcpoSe with which music ex
| prcssive OF religious sentiment shout,
BE- rendered In this way he treated his AIRS
aria. " II with all your hearts ye truly seek mo.
taking much liberty with the time. varying ais,
| the length of notes. and los ing that quiet seren
ity. Of feeling with which MendelssOhn has in
splre1 the song.