The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-12-05


Symphony in Jupiter) Mozart
Overture "Psnthesiiea, .Godmark
Cavatina from Der Fre,sshaisa. .....v Won Weber
Miss Emma Thursby
Overture, Leonore' tNo Van Beethoven
very large audience attended tho second public
rehearsal of the Symphony Society ut Stenway Hall
yesterday afternoon. The programme was an ex-
cellent one. and in addition to the able orchestra
conducted admirably by DR.. Damrosch Miss Thursby
was offered as special attraction.
The 'Bach Tocatta," orchestrally arranged by
Esser. was played in mastery manner. all the mu
sicans seeming to grasp the main ideas of tho work
with perfect conception and to phrase it with
singular unanimity OF purpose. making the whole
most consistent and finished piece of work. The
double BASES never had better chance to show
their excellence. and they improved the opportunity
wonderfully.
"La Calandrina." Miss Thursby's selection. is an
old fashioned little air of the century, connected
with the composition OF which there is told
what romantic story. which lends to it additional
interest. Jomelli. the composer. was born
to attract the attention and win the friend
ship Of Metastaso. the famous Italian poet In 1749
he set out for Vienna. the poet being then at the
Court. The two met. aud most sincere and last
ing friendship. romantic in its warmth and singu-
them. Metastasio wrote some charming poems for
which Jomeui composed the music. and the two
went on nanu In nAnu In their art ana friendship.
The study Of one was the music room of
the other, aud they were almost inseparable.
1t was in the early days of this singularly happy
friendship that Jomelli composed LA Calandrna"
and handed it to his friend and patron. Miss
Thursby sang the aria yesterday with considerable
grace and finish. and the many difficulties in the
horid passages were well met and fairly conquered.
1t was more notable. however. for its good method
than brliancy, aud for the sweetness of the notes
rather than for their extraordinary delivery. Miss
Thursby made quite success OF the song before
the audience and was promptly recalled.
symDhOpY
in is SO well known and the members of the So
cety have o SO often played it. that it only %
trife out and the double BASES faulty in
being too loud. butt for all that the movement was
taken well and played with considerable spirit The
most sympat6eic tope. and the aliegretto was
being well defined In the finale the cellos
were particularly good. but the brass was
prominently brought out by each instrument
the conclusion was powerfully and artisticaliy in
The novelty of the programme was the new Gold
mark overture, "Penthesilea," founded Heinrich
Won Keist's drama. the four motives Of the compo.
sition being 'The Tumult of Battle" ''The Feast
of Roses" Love" and DEATH" suggestive, in
musical FORM OF the meeting in battle OF Achilles
and Penthesiea the love that existed between them
the combat in which Achilles fell, and the death Of
Penthesilea. The first movement, powerfully de-
scriptive of the tumut of battle was rendered with
brlliancy and vigor that we'll expressed the motive
Of the work. and, while it reflected credit on the
the orchestra were deserving great praise for the
manner in which they interpreted his intentions.
The second movement is in effect charming love
cately the story of Achilles and penthes-
ilea.s meeting and love. The air. played
flute. has cello accompaniment, the theme
ia then taken up by the strings. and finally dies
The spirited movement which follows, gradually
accelerated and increased In volume. is an admir-
cision aud vigor. the climax Of the overture is
approached and effected grsndly in fortissimo
pssa s srU wall c"nvev,n@ tSe dea 81
march. but relieved by few bars of plaintive
melody. which breaks through It Ike light from q
sion. the finale being deicately executed pianissi-
The overture is Goldmark's greatest work since
his ''Sacuntala." DIR. Damrosch received the
direct from the composer. but since then the
Usher. According to late advices from Europe
1t not to be performed there until
tend to produce it at the third of their
1t has been rehearsed here in private, by the
Thomsa' but the SYMPHONY Society NAV claim the
FIRST public production Of the new overture.
The work Is composed in Godmark's eccentric and
graphic vein Of composition dealing largely In di5
sonances aud yet combining with them some most
harmonious melodies. Standing on the pro-
gramme by the side OF Beethoven's monumental
Overture IL dwarfed by the comparison. but the
fair it achieved under these circumstances
the manner of its Interpretation added another to
Or. Damroschs laurels and reflected every credit
Miss Thursby sang tho "Der Freisc6atx. cavatina
with less effect than was expected OF her. Her good
school was manifest all through it. and there was
generally artistic style in tho manner
of her phrasng 1t, but it had the one
fault Of being occasionally untrue to pitch.
and the ladys voice seemed at times unequal to the
demands made upon it in the sostenuto passages.
Under an encore she returned and sang another
selection with marked Improvement in every way.
There is wealth Of music. particularly
suited to Miss Thursby. to which sne should confne
herself. not that she only do we'll within those
simply
has remarkably good vocal Abilities aud 1t IL always
better artist do which she do best.
The most vigorous and delightful OF Beethoven's
four "Ieonore" 6vertures was played yesterday. 1t
was grandly rendered and gave glow and warmth
1t did on this occasion. and it was admirably done
that it can all be summed up in sentencc-it was
triumph for the players and their leader, and de-
light to the audience.
MUSICAL AND DRAMATIC NOTES.
Capoul will take his benefit ON Monday night at
Booths Theatre.
Tho New York Circus will give its usual matinee
performance tomorrow.
The new opera Of Messrs. Gilbert and sullivan was
read to the company yesterday.
Mr.. p. y. Gilmore's new national hymn. ''Colum-
bia." will probably be produced on Christmas night.
The play. can Arabian Might" at DAILY 8 Thea
trc, Is drawing. The matinee tomorrow promises to
be large one.
"Tho Galley Slave" Mt the New York Haverly' and
''rhe octoroon" at the Brooklyn Haveriy's
drawing full houses.
"Mignon" is to be the feature this evening at the
Academy Of Music. Campanini, Del Puente. ANDRE,
Cary Valera and Mont are In the cast.
'Our Girls" at Wallack's will not be visible to the
naked eye after tonight and at the matinee to-
morrow. 1t Is an enjoyable performance and should
DO seen by every old theatregoer.
Tho houses at the San Francisco Minstrcis are
among the best filled in the city. They rarely fail to
score hit and get talked about.
Mr.. J. X. Emmett at the Park Theatre, is still at
tracing large audiences who witness with pleasure
his rendition of "Fritx In Ireland"
Tho American Dime Museum ON the Bowery is one
of the attractions OF the east sido Of Aha tour