New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-05-01
MUSIC---THE DRAMA.
THE ORAToRIo SOCIETY.

THE ORATORIO SOCIETY.
AT the third concert of the Oraterio soc:e.v
which took place last night at the Academy VI assis
under the direction of SIR. Walter Damrosc VERDI.
hequicm Mass was performed. The occasion WIS .,,,
wnch Justified nasic-Ioyers in pleasant anciprton.
Inc MASS II Will be remembered was com posed for III
celebration in Milan OF the first anniyersary Of Ae.
dro Manzoni, on May "a 1874. In June OF The cam.
year WAS given in the Paris Opera Csnlaue aud ae.
ward In London and Vienna under tAc direction
Oh the composer. Everywhere it exei,,a
the Iiveliest interest and brourtt nn,v
distinction and fresh honors TO the greatest or ivs
opera composers It's first performance this city took
pace IN ST. Anns Church on October %. 1874 the solo
parts Deing IN the hands 81 Henrietta Corrad Octayie
Gomen Mr.. Fr1tsch and Mr. Blum Mr.. Lou,s p.cbaue,.
otected THIS performance, which, however WAS incon,.
pie'e' lnaSmuch the accompaniment, which is an
integral part OF the work. played Oh the organ I'm
der these auspices the work given twice and then
came the first complete performance this side OF tho
Atlantic. The date November IL, 1874 the solo
singers Miss Maresi Miss Cary, sgnor Carp and sIeuor
tiorini OF the Strakosch Opera Company The cboru.
numbered about $50 voices and Sgnor Buzo co
the performance, which moderately sattsfaciorv
Inc audience was not "A numerous and there was
less enthusiasm than expected view OF the beau,v
OF the music and the fact that IL Is the pest product OF
Verdfs muse. Since then we do not recall a nerfoun
ance Of the work here up last night In Cincinnati s
was given once by German society and afterward bv
the Festival Chorus under tho direction OF Mr. Thomas
and 1t has bean heard In OF tho chief cities
OF the country. Tho Baltimore Oratorio Society will
sing might Mr.. Thomas being conductor II wa,
to lave been given by the New Uraoro Society ON
the 10Th Of February, but the death of Dr. Darosch
and the resulting Disarmament OF the socetys plans
caused pOstponcment until last night.
The Requiem has boon the subject OF much contradc
tory criticism If It possible arrive at con-
sensus of the most honest, impartial and intelligent
this 1t scarcely be called church music Of
the odor of stage lamps which cngs IT, but 1t Is
churchlke than Rossins admired "Stabat Mater" and
Is consistently serious impressive and beautiful We
even conceive 1t possible that It should awaken
devotional feelings In persons who are sus-
ceptible lovely melodies aud suaye harmonies
who take a sentimental view OF religion 1t is the
fruit of VerdIs most advanced and admirable
period In composition. When It announced that thu
composer Of " La Traviata" and "Il T oyatore had
composed a reauiom the Intelligence shock
OF surprise through the musical world The appearance
OF the mitigated the surprise considerably for il
disclosed that though he had changed his textual
rial Verdi was yet NJ the old INES Father on
showed s Itself in Ada" lie had not lef OF being an
matte rnanner in which he set to work upon
the second division OF the Mass Which,
following missal IL made up OF the Dies Irae."
his setting OF the famous Old sequence the most obvious
influence Is that OF Berlloz who rd TINS portion of lis
il as picturesque the Apocalypse asa the nssrest
that nave lDu OF DfydenS suggestive
lines
The trumpet shall be heard on high.
The dead snail live. the living die,
And music shall untane the sky.
Verdi does not achieve the terrifying realism which
Beroz rsvels in but denying that his Of
trumpet fanfares throughout the Tuba mrum," is
really awe-inspiriDg, and that he reaches great
height of musical expressveness when be
depicts the stupefacton OF death aud nature IN the bs
OF this division OF the Mass, with which
prayer for peace, is in the worst theatrical, and
might better have been reserved Tor chorus OF demons
IN some opera Compared with the effective phrase
bass voice 10 which we have Just alluded IL shows
how wide is the difference between mass music that Is
dramatic and that which is rely theatrical. Dramatic
music has long had its place in the mass, esPe-
cIally in settings Of the mass for Toe
dead-which. in the sequence. contains the vehicle
for a spirit which the solemn mass lacks.
Unfortunately some OF the dramatically effective por
the performance was highly credlbe. The solo voices
predominate the work but the chorus has also much
singing OF the choir showed that the death OF Dr. Dau-
rosch crushing blow To the organization ne called
into being. Numerically the strength shown la the nrst
concert OF the TO nave been maintained,
quality. The work studied under Dr. Damrosch,
who II will be remembered al what was to De the last
rehearsal contracted cold that brought about bis DEATH
Ills IDEAS were undunhtedy reflected in the
though question whether all the tempt weie bewOud
them had he lived 10 conduet tue perform
the singing sooists Miss Henson's voice has not
dramatic breadth or power enough 70 10 run justice 70
the soprano part and she d9 I not Away;
tho music in the matter Of taste aud dec
lamation, but her high notes were extremely
bright and beautiful, and 20 them duo
several OF the pretty OF the evening Fraueia
Brandts understanding of her duties was much moro
deep and thOrOu she read her lines with telling e
feet The inevitable but" In her frOn tbs
want OF her vote. aud correctness IN her In
tOnation Mr. Saudgl filed his part % the admiration
OF all his singing delightful exposition Of what
good style IL aud his voice IA better sued
music of character than TO opera II can truthHy
be said that singing last night keener pleasure
than ever 1t did the Metropolitan Opera Houss MI
Knor OF Chicago has clear high tenor voice winch %
handles fair degree of skill aud taste but wthous
variety OF sentiment A numerous audience heard th3
Mass and rewarded all the performers with liberal and
hea