The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-11-29
ADJUSTMENTS.



sTEINwAY HALL-'sELIJAH."
Sopranos-Mrs NJ. L. Swift and Miss Amy shsrwin.
Characteristics Anna Drssd and Miss Clara ooern-
penors-Mr g Friisch and Mr.. Frank Smith,
bassos-Mr Frank Remmertz and Mr.. Leo Goldmark
The Oratorio Society of New York-Dr. L. Dam
rosch. conductor-opened its seventh season yester
day at stenway Hall by public rehearsal of Men
dessohn's Elijah" The regular concert will be
given this evening at the same place. on which
casion Mr.. Myron W. Whitney will sing
the part OF Elijah. which yesterday was in
trusted to Mr. Remmertz. verv large
audience attended the rehearsal and followed
the music with moro than usual attention Every
thing possible was done in tho way of good or
chestra and strong chorus to render the society's
effort successful one. detail was neglected to
make the affair enjoyable, and even minor matters
were not forgotten. such tho dressing of the
stage. which was made very handsome by pretty
toilettes shut in either side by wealth of flowers
palms and shrubs. Altogether it was quite feast
tor the eye well as the ear.
The Oratorio was well sung. but was not so salts
factory as it will prove in all probability. this
ing. Mr.. Remmertz. whom SO large a share of
the solos fell suffering from severe cold which
almost entirely spoiled many passages which should
have been most effective. He utterly failed to take
any of the high notes with power. and hatted
seriously on many Of the hnales practically to
artist as Mr.. Remmertz could not be guilty of
these except under circumstances such as
those of yesterday. the results Of which were
equally distressing to himself and to his hearers.
MIS-. Swift and Miss Sherwin sang acceptably, and
occasionally. not always with considerable power.
but the honors OF the afternoon Miss Drasdls.
whose 60 rest i'll the Lord was the most effective
rendering OF oratoriO music that has been heard i'll
New York i'll many years.
Mr.. Fritsch did some excellent work. aud both he
nh
made for the difficulties they must encounter in
singing in English. The chorus and orchestral
work was generally OF a high order, Dr. Damrosch
leading the voices and instruments in a mastery
manner. The upper female voices were inclined to
were occasionally little rough in their shading but
Is q whole. considering the arduous labors ncces-
sary to the interpretation OF so lengthy work, and
the variety of musical coloring demanded by the
score, the chorus may be congratulated on the ex-
cellent results attained.
The opening tenor aria-"If with all your hearts,"
and the preceding recitative remarkably well
DONE the latter being most carefully treated and the
finale. ."rhus saith our God being grandly sung.
The chorus which follows would have been most
effective but for the sopranos. who were n little
rampant at one time. The double quartet. however:
the charming passage beginning 'For He
shall give His angels charge over thee" The
recitative and aria for soprano mrs. Swift "What
have to do with thee?" wasNnot over well done,
there not being sufficient depth OF feeling given to
the words. and in many parts the quality of voice
being thin and its volume insufficient for proper
phrasing. The concluding bars, however. were much
stronger
was entirely satisfactory The recitatives which
alternate between the Widow and Elijahlwere marred
by the hoarseness Of Mr.. Remmertz's voice. though
he managed occasionally to come out finely in
briel passage, such as that beginning Lord, my
God oh let the spirit Of this child return where his
notes rang out grandly with the brass instruments.
The chorus gave some fine effects in pianissimo in
the chorus, BLESSED the men who fear Him."
There nothing from this point on. deserving Of
special mention until the recitative "Call him
louder!" which Mr.. Remmertz sang in admirable
taste perfect time and true to pitch The bass solo,
lord nj n m Ost M
pressve arias he sang yesterday, and he was re-
warded with round of hearty applause which was
The Angels Quartet was harmoniously sung
though an improvement might have been had by
marking the crescendos more firmly and giving the
entire choral tride more volume In sound.
Elijah's solo. "Is not His word like fire?" was
disastrous failure. Mr.. Remmertz seemed to realize
these facts from the start and the entire aria vas
gentleman had to attempt it. as no was in no vocal
condition TO sing it.
Miss Drasdil's voice was particularly rich and full
in ''Woe unto them who forsake him" and Mr..
Fritsch followed with an admirable delivery of 80
man of God, help thy peoplel'' Miss Sherwin's
gave the brief passages excellently. The important
chorus, Thanks be to God" produced certain popu-
lar effects by reason Of its volume and the spirit
with which it was carried through but some faults
existed which should be looked to Tonight; the
passasss were Jumped at rather than
and the brass instruments were momentarilv but
decidedly out in marking the tempo.
Part second opened with the soprano solo MRS.
Swift Hear we. Israel" The earlier portions OF
the famous aria were entirely lacking proper
dramatic expression. and the shading given the
music not that directed by Mendelssohn. The
inal movement allegro maestoso) most credit
ably executed, and whatever lacking previously
the conclusion was really excellent, unsteady and
dramatically. Miss Drasdil III Have We not heard
he hath prophesiedY' was particularly effective.
every tone coming out round apd full and every
word receiving true emphasis In the grand passages
which fall to her in this number
Mr. Rsmmertz made point in his favor by tho
able in which, despite all difficulties he gave
Ejah's aria, at is enough, Lord" Mr.. Bergners
violoncello introduction and accompaniment q
charming exhibition of his fine powers. and he and
Mr.. Remmertz were equally applaudcd the
clusion OF the aria. The Angel trio Lift thine
eyes,, sung without accompaniment by Mrs. Swift.
Miss Shorwin and Miss Drasdii, marvellously
good and the gem of the oratorio thus far
in delicate shading and dramatic expression.
DR.. Damrosch stood by the trio. and his
itself in the result. Tho trio most charming.
and it's repetition vociferously demanded; but,
according to the infexble rule established, It was
slumbers not" was particularly finished ind arts-
tic, the piano passages being most delicately rem
dered."
40 rest in the Lord" was sung by Miss Drasdil
marvelousy well. vocally it almost perfect;
dramatically it most effective, and n whole it
lesson in style worthy of study by any oratorio
Elijah. bidding him have patience and to 'rest
in the Lord" allied to most plaintive
music. and when given full breadth of expression
capable OF deep effect Miss Drasdil sang them
with tenderness and sympathy so touching as to
produce marked effect on the audience, and during
the conclusion. "Rest in tho Lord and waitwait pa
tienty for Him, which was delivered most feengly,
many of her listeners visibiy Affected One or the
best passages OF the entire oratorio in the placing
of light and shade. occurred in the chorus
"Behold! God the Lord passed by" 1t was very
and the delivery of the words in the pianssimo
passages were as precise and prompt as though