New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-02-16

choralorpanization Thetwo most strikiDg 9 proouc''
of this cooperation, under tho direction OF W.
Damrosch were the first performance IN tn'S ooun-
try of Berliozs "Damnation of Faust ~ series
of concerts in 1870 aud 1851, anu .no
Musical Festival OF 1881, heio III WY
seventh Regiment Armory. At this festival
Rub,nstein,s STower of Babel" and berliozs
Keouiem were performed for the first time IN
America. The chorus numbered 1900 voices INC
orchestra $50 instruments. and In spite OF the vast
expense incurred by the gathering .and driiiins
of such forces and the engagement OF eminent Soio
sinners. the festival was financially successfui.
Ifnon the work done by DIR. Damrosch in tho
Oratorio and Symphony Societies his reputation as
=. fed and energetic and Jealous musician
depended until this season. when he crowned inc
ed,ice by carrying to brilliant success the hazard
ous experiment of establishing German Opera al INC
Metropolitan Opera House. The story OF the season
still sounds incredible. Until late in the summer
eaorts were made to secure an italian Company
for the house The mpressarios appealed TO de-
clned to undertake the risk. In this emergency
Dr. Damrosch brought forward his scheme. He
gonize a company He; started from this country
toward the end of August and returned toward lhs
end of September. Within this time he nad seculed
the excellent German artists who nave DeeH ncliu
this winter and selected his repertory On NoVem-
Der H. one weeG after the opening OF tbe llaii i
season at the Academy he brought boyed an
first OPERA "Tannhauser," whlch acneVed an
instantaneous success. The same week fidello
was also produced and for several weeks In
one new opera was added each week ,h hn
Complete list being as follows: "Iannharn,ser'y
TdeliS Les HneTeH"o rn'r d FTssihIa"
R0n efiofan9"'w inam feIn lie Prophet"
" La Juive" lapd, pie N Malhure
In spite Of all ALL, the wov I WnGb 6es
at racted audiences that have crowded the theaTe
nightly. ..,, u .ho
production of these operas, PM con-
Quoted every performance until last Wednesday.
His last work in the conductors char was at ne
representa alton Of LohcnCrIn last Monday. be
sides all this Dr. Damrosch had entered in mo
arrangements to take the company y" riu ~ Thnr
spranqements are thrown into confusion by
his death and it is Impossible 10 fII
performances of this week at the, Metropohtan !,
was determined last night that the opera iionse
should he kept closed TINS evening, ont lnat lne
representation should take place on THURSDAY even,
inr tickets bought for tonight will be exchanged
at the box Office the pleasure OF the holders AS
to the Oratoro Society concert hoInins va, h,
ternined The last work of Dr. Damrosch WIN lhls
choir was 10 prepare 1t TO sing requiem:
Dr. Damrosch was for season the director oil
the New-YOrk Philharmonic Society. lie mas
stood the hlgnest p anes possible 10 u
conductor III tins country. In every emergency
he never failed to convey the Impression OF cqh-
scientious. intelligent artist Ills cnOral uanhins
was especially noteworthy for the manner III when
he ouickened the mind of his chorsters TO The
beauty and significance OF the works III s'T T1tc
He " ~ also a composer of good attainments Two
cantaras of his appear the list of works sung Dy
the Oratorio Society. One OF his most sue sue
cessful compositions. however, was the res
tIval overture playsd at the festival 9i 1851.
This overture was composed IN the year iSoo, iol
the inauguration of the Grand Opera house IN 20
festival OF the United Musicians OF GERMANY
at Wemar, and Ratf. who heard II there,
to testify his appreciation of 1t volunteered to make
a piano forte Arrangement of 1t for four hands, and
did So On November % of last year violin con-
certo of his played at the Symphony society py
NJ. Musln.
WALTER DAMROSCHS RESIGNATION.
HE LEAVES PLYMOUTH CHURCH CHOIR BEFORE
HIS FATHERS IND
Walter Damrosch. the musical conductor OF
Plvmouth Church. resigned suddenly Yesterday
before his father--died. He placed letter in Mr..
Beechers manipulating that be must be released
from his engagement with the church for the year
which will end on May !. oil the ground thatihe was
compelled to take full charge of the music ut the
METROPOLITAN Opera House. in the illness OF his
father DR. Leo aold Damrosch. and would have to
90 West with the company He gave notice 70 the
members of the chorus. most of whom went with
him to the church when he assumed charge OF the
music that their arrangement with him was al an
end After the singing of the anthem, ~ Yesterday
mornings service Mr. Damrosch left the church.
Mr. Ellis, the leader OF the singing In tne nnnaay
organist Robert Thallon continuing at the organ
| member of the music Committee said u a
| TRIBUNE reporter after the service here nas
| been no feeling III this matter, but Mr. Daniroscb
| thinks he is compelled by the pressure OF crcnm-
stances to leave u.s. He has gone aud we shaii nave
TO do the best we until May l. when MI: Shelley
| will take charge of the organ and We VIII have a
quartet. That will be an entirely new departure IN
Plymouth Church. We Will have quartet OF the
| best voices, and We may have double quartet
that s a volunteer quartet AS well as the paid one,
TO make little more music III our og cnuIcn A am
| in the evening There will be response alter the
| PRAYER and probably some other changes We nave
nany.yOung people here andthey don't ma the same
| musical service that they 90 elsew hero and We
| want to supply the deficiency. There IS no idea o.
giving up the evening sermon MIR. Beecher will
| preach Just the same AS. before. l don't know
| whether the chorus will stay OF not most OF then
| came with Mr. Damrosch and their engagement
| with him is at an end
The general sentiment in!the church seems To be o.
| satisfaction with the prospect of change There
| was feeling that Mr.. Damrosch was not adapted
| to lead devotional music, and his chorus was not
| success.
| CLOSING THE ITALIA OUT OF RESPECT.
The Thalia Theatre was as usual well filled
last night when the Sunday concert was begun Shortly
| after the commencement the news OF Dr. Damroschi
death arrived. Mr.. Amberg. the manager
lost no time In communicating md,ancs re Inc . sa(
FEW words extolling the dead musician as manager
all artist and man. He then dismissed the audience
who slowly and wfully lett the theatre The Thnii
company viii the stage OF theatre Tomorrow
| in order TO take fitting action IN the matter
JOHN II. BRADY.
John II. Brady died yesterday afternoon at
his home No So Kng.st, after short sickness, in h
s1ty-fourth year. Mr. Brady has been active In loca
politics in city since 1858. He native OF Troy
| l,rto l.r. han nlv years He