New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-12-05
SYMPHONY SOCIEIY-THE DAMNATION OF
EAIlST.


FAUST
The extraordinary fancy which this public has
taken to B,rliozs The Damnation Of Faust" is one
of TIE most curious musical phenomena that have
hecn noticed here Of late years. There were some
five or SIX performances of the work last season,
each more crowded than the last aud so little abate-
ment does there appear to be in the interest
felt in II that not only was Steinway
Hall filed to its utmost capacity on the occasion OF
its petition last night, but the demand for seats
so great tnat another performance will have to
be given shortly to satisfy the demands Of those
who were unable TO obtain places Tor this one. It's
popu lrity Is dependent on several causes one
of tines, Is doubtless the interest III the
Berlioz revival that has been going on III
France during the past few years, which
las been extended to and sedulOusiy iostered ID
this country Another is 20 be found IN the Inya-
rab.e mpre slyeress of works Tend red by large
masses of performers an impressiveness winch
makes poss bic the success of such undertakings a.
tie Boston Peace Jubilee ana the CRYSTAL Palace
Handel Festivals. where the imposing effect OF
vast body OF singers and large orchestra WI COM
pensate with great part Of the listeners for many
mperfections III the renderines. This influence
has been felt, though IN a less degree than
IN the Boston and Crystal Palace perform
ancrs Ia those winch have been gwen
of The Ddmua non Of Faust" The chief reason Of
its success les OF course IN the Work itself winch.
whatever It's faults of bad TASTE and eXaGgeration.
is undcnlahiy effective and striking as a whole. II
has unmistakabie belutie-, and having begun by
securing a success of curiosity il has en1ed appar-
entity by ticking a firm hold upon the fancy of he
musical public.
Mr.. Bourne was the only one Of the original solo
singers who appeared ,as ngar Miss Sherwn as
MI mod nv lp
Harvey was the Faust instead OF Sir.
jordan and Mr.. George II uschel was III
the place Of 81. Bemmcrz as Aepb@opbeics
Mile Vallerias performance per- sctly ac-
fable If not remarkably striking She sang
win simplicity and good taste, bur her middle and
lower oysters are not full enough for much Of the
music. so that the ballad Of the King Of Thule
and her second song. Nv heart Is heavy,
Iny peace is DER" did not produce the ef,ct which
her finished aud unaffected delivery would have
created had he volume OF voice been greater In
the love scene with Faust. IN the third
part. she sang with great feeling and
passion. and It was here that snc
wa al her best Mr. Harvcys Faust was a colorle,s
and unmtercstiug performance, though he did In,
work with euergy and very conscenuousy. The
part lies high. Is very exacting, and Us. after al
thankIess one To make it thoroughly at
tractiye is probably impossible; 10 make 1t even
fairly interesting would require an artist Of high
order winch Mr. Harvey, whatever ms promises. Ii
not Yet.
Mr. Henfchers M,phstophcles cannot be
counted a success either. hat he Sings IN
thoroughly artistic. musicianly fashion cannot be-
questioned. any IN r. than that he unders ands The
music thoroughly. and handles the part, Of which
he has a capital conception, in a mastery
way. Bur the mu.i, IL altoga rher too
low and TOO heavy for his voice, which neither
resonant nor very powerful in Its low register
and while his work. artistIcaly cons dered, Is
vastly better than Mr.. Rcmmer u, he
lacks the means of carving out us con-
eeptiOns. He sang the song OF the
,ea with humOr. but IL no effective, after a H.
and the serenade under MargacritSS window pro-
du.ed even less impression. That he was rot more
successful was of course not mis- faut but il seems
Pity that an arts; of bis reputation should mperl
it ov undertaking wnat Is clearly beyoad his pow
ers.
The work of the orchestra WAS fairly good IA gen.
eral and some OF the numbers notably IHe Dance
OF the Sylpbs and lie MInuet OF the " iii o. the
WIsps, wer. oxcelentg done; but sb much
cannot bee SAID for the chorus, though 1t
was decidedly better than on Tn Isday.
It's singing was rough and uncertain, and
the male chorus was particularly bad None
of the choru-es IN Auerbacn'S cellar well done,
and the chorus If soldiers aud students behind tie
scenes. IN The fourth part exceedingly bad. 1t
Il larl e. ind reason Tor this, ioT certainly the
OratOriY Society has sung tnls WOrk often euOngp
To know 1t almost backward; and II seems stin
more strange I'D yiaW OF last Saturday 5 excellent
performance OF the III Jan