The Portland daily press., 1880-02-12
THE HAYDN CONCERT TONIGHT.
In Aid of the Maine General Hospital

| The performance OF Memberships St. Paul
of which public rehearsal was given by the
Haydns TO their associate members, last week
occurs this evening for the benefit of the
Maine General Hospital; and it is to be hoped
that the public will cordially attest their inter-
est in the great charity to be aided, and in the
Haydn Associations musical organization il,
which our city has so just cause for pride.
The oratorio of ST. Paul is standard work.
and is interpreted by the chorus under the
conductorship of Mr.. Kotzschmar. with the
greatest care, spirit and intelligence; aided by
Mr.. Coyle's admirable singing, rich, extensive
and resonant voice in the title role; Miss Mill
kens Charming rendition Of the soprano solos;
Mr.. Pencils ready, brilliant and effective
tenor; and Mrs. Pratt's agreeable contralto,
With these musical attractions it is needless to
say how desirable it is that the kind efforts OF
the Haydns in behalf of the Hospital be fully
seconded by the public.
few words in regard to the Haydn Associa-
ton may suitably be said here. 1t may not be
generally understood by persons not connected
with the society, how steady and genuine is the
musical progress which it has made. and how
great good its continued prosperous existence
is to prove to rortlanu. To the Haydns is due
the first hearing in America of several notable
works: Handel's Theodore, PaiIie's st. Peter,
Macfarren's John the Baptist and Randegger's
cantata of Fridolin are among these. The ben
eft to singers Of chorus-practice can hardly be
overestimated; it ensures steadiness, accuracy
and musical comprehension in degree posi-
BILE to no isolated study of singing. Robert
Sphnuoup svh sc olroI> Ii ;r%u
declares chorus-practice to be indispensable.
For five dollars, the price Of annual member
ship in the Haydn chorus, one has the advan-
tage of practice once week, during ten
months Of the year, under the instruction Of
Mr.. Kotzschmar-than whom no musician can
be more perfectly fitted by nature and art to
direct the intelligent and adequate study of
the works of the great masters. Next Monday,
the first rehearsal after the annual meeting of
the Haydns, they will begin the study of
Spohr's Fall Of Babylon; and singers DESTROYS
to become members of the chorus will do we'll
to join it at that time. Tickets of associate
membership admit for the price of five dol
lars, two persons to hear all rehearsals and con-
certs given by the chorus during the year
Our citizens should see to it that the Haydn
Association be we'll supported. 1t has had no
lack Of appreciation from musicians of other
cities who have heard its performances. Prof.
John Fske, in recent volume of critical es-
says, speaking of tho turore created by the
singing of the Boston Handel and Haydn Soci-
ETY. in New York. adds that ''they might well
take quarters lessons from the Portland cho-
rus" Others have expressed their approx
al-if not perhaps as piquantly, with no less
decision. 1t is greatly to be desired that the
city understanding that the ad-
mirably directed studies of the Haydn Associa-
ton are in fact higher musical education for
our citizens, to which the musical training in
our public schools should form the preparatory
course-would give to the Haydns the use of
some larger and more convenient hall than
that which they now occupy, thus leaving their
funds free for the purchase of music and other
contingent expenses. 1t will be matter of
wise and far-seeing policy for the city to give
its favor and support to the Haydn Association,
which has proven by years of faithful and sue
cessful work, its value and efficiency in the
musical education and progress of Portland.