National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-06-17
ADJUSTMENTS.

The capacity of the Congregational church
was tested last night by the large audience
that assembled to listen TO the first public
concert of the Church Choral union of this
city. This organization, which is based upon
that of the Church Choral union of New
York, which has attained great success, was
formed in February last, and its course of
instruction has included but cightoen weekly
lessons. Tho three Genters have met
respectively in tine Congregational, Western
Presbyterian and Christian churches. Tho
combined chorus last night numbered about 400
voices and their efforts deserve the highest
praiao. They sang with perfect precision, in
correct time and tune, and their phrasing
showed not only the care that had been
bestowed in their rehearsals, but also gave
evidence of their own musical intelligence.
Tho programme embraced anthems, glees,
part songs, chord practice and sight reading,
selections from psalmody, the "lnilamatus'
from Rossini's "Stabat Mater" and tho
"IIallelujah Chorus" from Handel's "Mes-
siah." In the sacred selections it was
matter of regret that more numbers were not
chosen from the abundance of chorus music
| in standard oratorios instead of modern
compositions, which have pleasant jingle,
but no true devotional spirit. The best work
of the chorus was perhaps done in the SIN
! hamatus' which was given with a
fullnoss of harmony and deloaoy of shading
that has rarely been heard and which brought
out to the full effect all the exquisite beauty
of this wonderful composition. In this con-
nection an aluson should also be made to
the excellent rendition of the soprano solo
tI,u aU,nr a
which furnishes the melody for the matchless
harmony of tho chorus. Miss Ella Earle, of
New York. fully justified the pleasant antici-
patons of her singing by presenting voice
clear and pure of great flexibility and excel
lent cultivation, and of volume which
enabled it to DO distinctly heard above tho
large and powerful chorus. Tho emphatic
encore which followed was richly merited.
The chanting of the Lords Prayer was ex-
cellently done and evidenced the careful an d
intelligent training that the chorus had re-
ceived Miss Earle sang two solo numbers
and the duet "L'Addio" with Mr.. Warren
s. Young, in all of which she sustained her
self admirably and was heartily applauded
Mr.. Young sang the Toreador song from Gar
men" with the same excellence which has
always characterized his rendition of this
selection, and q solo in the anthem, praise
yo Jehovah" by Palmer. The second number
of the programme introduced quartettC
composed of Mrs. +. ID. Power, Miss AddiC
Bailey, Rev. l.. II. Schneider, and Mr. Ii. l..
Shepard who acquitted themselves most cred
itably. Prof. John P. Lawrence presided a
, the organ, and Rev. T. S. Wynkoop at thu
piano, and their efforts As accompanies meri
warm commentator.
The concert last night should be but thu
prelude to others next winter. Mr.. j. w
Robinson, tho conductor, who has had thu
instruction of tho chorus, has shown how
, much can DO accomplished in comparatively
Q few rchearsals with an untried body o
y singers, Next winter, having the presen
chorus as u groundwork, he can enlarge thu
structure If no SO desires, or IL that is no
> intended, the present organization is sutii
GENTLY large for the proper and ehectiv
> rendition Of the works of tho best masters
i For his work in bringing the present choru
L TO so high degree of perfection Mr.. Robinson
, deserves the highest praise. 1t is understood
that his services have been engaged for mex
= season, and that other conters are to b
Q formed.
IS MISS HURST AT FORD's
4 Ford's opera house has not been NOR
completely filed during tho season than
> was last evening when Miss Lula Hurst bega
u her peculiar performance. Tho manifesta
o tions of Miss Hurst's remarkable power WEI
If quito fully described last week when she CAV
d a private exhibition. Thoiporformances las
as evening with umbrellas, billiard cues an
chairs were the same as those then described
~ except that on tho larger stage and befol
ID the larger audience the destruction of furn
ID ture was greater, Several umbrellas we
n reduced 90 fragments for no other Apparer
70 reason than that Miss Hurst placed h,
e., hands upon them q strong man broke
. billiard cue in tho attempt TO put it to II
30 floor when Miss Hurst willed that it shout
ID not 60; and chair in which gentlema
1T sat was broken TO pieces by his eccenti
S, movements whom Miss Hurst put her han