Morning journal and courier., 1888-01-25
THE GoUNoD CONCERT.

The GounOd Society's First Concert a
 Complete Success-NTiss Jennie But
 ton and the Beethoven Quartette En-
 thusiastically yE3eceived-A Large and
 Delighted Audience.
 There have been many efforts made during
 the last twenty years in New Haven to estab-
 fish permanent choral society here. The
 difficulties in the way of undertaking like
 this are so considerable that the history of
 each has been generally one of continual
 struggle. They have each filled a. need moro
 or less successfully and then have succumbed
 to adverse circumstances. Meanwhile the
 progress in musical culture has been slow,
 depressingly slew New Haven has been
 by-word to concert managers and the despair
 of the few local musicians whose efforts have
 ever been unremitting. There is, however,
 much in the musical atmosphere of to-day
 that offers encouragement. If still slow
 there has been distinct advance, and there is
 growing up here, especially among the
 younger generation, genuine and increasing
 Hys FSs is for manfess in the recent gn as en deayors toward choral organizations, and is fostered by the valuable musical train ing given in our public schools. This has now made it possible to find in New Haven an unusually large number of young singers of good intelligence, aptness in reading and much natural ability. The success and per-
 manence of 8 choral society starting in at this time under the right auspices and under these conditions ought to be insured. The Gounod society is an experiment in this direction, and if the excellent work done at it's initial concert is any criterion it is one which promises well and should be encour- aged. The society has been so modest in it's l claims that It is safe to say that the large and representative audience at the Hyperion 1 last evening was treated to genuine and agreeable surprise at the result.
 The society numbers but about 40voices and therefore it must not be judged on the basis of large oratorio chorus. Fine work rather than power should be expected and in this requirement. the club gave ample promise. The church choir element is predominant and to this must be attributed much of the careful finish and general intelligence mani fested in the rendering of the various selec- tions. The attack was superb, and the quality of the tone fresh and pure. The tone | of the sopranos was especially beautiful. The tenors are excellent, and form the best body 1 of tenors heard in this city fer 8 very long l time. They sang with 8 vigor most refresh l ing. The altos were very good, the pres eHce of two or three well known voices lend- | ing additional strength to this part. The same may be said of the basses, most of whom 1 are we'll known church singers. It may be | doubted if better chorus of the same size has ever been heard in this city. .,a. ,. The society is to be congratulated upon it's successful beginning. In securing the ser vices of Signor Agramonte as conductor the | society took wise step, as the work of last | evening plainly evidenced. He is quiet and restrained in his method, but has firm grip on his forces and never loses it. His skill in | moulding the finish is very great l and has justly given him a high posi- tion among metropolitan musicians. Miss Jennie Dutton. who made her first ap- pearanee here last night, has been heard often at the New York and Brooklyn Phil and sympathy of the audience from the start and was listened to with much pleasure. She possesses sure soprano voice of great compass and power and remarkably even in all the registers. There is certain electric ring in it admirably adapted to the work with the chorus. We have seldom heard Rossini's ''Infammatus" sung with greater effect In addition to the numbers with the chorus Miss Dutton sang Hellmund's "Magic song" with rare taste.
 Of the playing of the Beethoven Quar- tette club it is needless to say that it was faultless and worthy of the finest instrumen- tai quartette in the country. Tho club should oftener be heard here and may be certain of warm welcome.
 The programme, although not strictly
 classical throughout, was of the highest order
 of merit and well adapted for an opening
 concert. The date for the second concert has not yet been fixed.