New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-05-07
TIE MESSIAH


No oratorio that las ever been written has been
50 widely known and so greatly admired as Han
dcis Messiah" but OratOriO music has never
appeared 10 be especially popular in this
country. and the enormous audience which
came Ia last nights concert was altogether suTpTs-
ing Not only every seat the floor Of the
armOry filled, but several Of the ailses densely
packed almost up to the stage and the crowd about
the doors and in the back part Of the hall ter
rible. Several women tainted and had TO be carried
out--no easy matter in such a throng
and those who arrived at the building
anywhere near the hour SET for tho open
ing of the concert found it almost impossible 10
reach their seats. large number Of admission
tickets had been sold which did not entitle the
purchaser 70 a seat and all the reserved seats
were occupied, the people who came in on them had
no place 10 Sit and were compelled TO stand IN tho
aisies. II was not judcious management 10 permit
IT, and II resulted in immense amount Of dis
comfort and annoyance.
The performance wa8 by far the best that has yet
been given during the Festival. This was 10 have
been expected. The Oratorio Society, which forms
the nucleus Of the Festival chorus and
supplies about half the voices. is in
the habit of giving the Messiah" every
year az Chrstmastde, and is therefore
perfectly familiar with the music. The remainder
OF the chorus, moreover Ntnftl 20 uaNt bfou moIb
thoroughly drilled in it than in any other work
which Dr. Danrosch has yet given u.s. and, with the
Oratoro Society 10 steady it and 10 lend promptness
TO the attack. did excellent work. Most of the
great choru.cs went with abundant spirit The at
tack was generally firm and prompt and
the immense volume Of sound was wonderfully inn
posing The work of the chorus was not remark
ably finished nor was there much Effort 10 produce
delicate effects while once IN while the parts woro
NOT together ia rapid passages; but Dr. Dam
roschs taste docs not lead him 10 attempt
drlicato effects, even under ordinary circum-
stances. and the temptation 10 rely upon strong
ones might well prove Irresistible when bee lad At
his command large q mass Of singers and
Observation-Disclosures The best Of the Chorusos was
" Unto us q child is bomr in which tho
soprano sang the opening phrase captally and the
pas.a e. beginning Wonderful, Counselor" de-
claimed fortssimo was exceedingly elective. Tho
" IIallclwah" chorus was excellent too, aud 80
were the two others, And the glory Of the Lord
and His yoke * easy
The solos were exceedingly well done. for tho
most part. ard the majority Of them sounded al
mraby in spite of the great size Ct the ball. Miss
Cary sang the air lie vas drSpised" with extreme
paihos and beautiful expression, and she gave He
Shall feed lls Hook like Shepherd" with the ut
most tenderness and great elegance. Mr. hifney
sang tine Why do the heather magnihccnty,
and Mr. Courtney who replaced Mr.. King sang tho
two airs, Behold and see and " But
thou did'st not leave his soul in
hrUr much better than ho has done
ANYTHING that we have heard. Nine. Gcrster
whose first appearance in oratorlO i was, did not
seem quite al home ia the music, though she sang
Come unto Him, all W that labor Her render
ing of 4 know that my Rcdecner liyeth'
was not wholly successful, and the influence
of her Italian training was cnriously perceptiblc IN
the roulades in " Rejoice greatly" which she sang
somewhat after the fashion Of Bellini oavatina.
The audience very enthusiastic, and applauded
everything stuTdly.