Evening journal., 1889-12-19
HANnsL,s MASTERPIECE.
Successful Rendition of "Messiah," by the
tuesday Club, Last Evening.

Opera House, last evening was no ex-
ception TO the standard maintained by
this organization, and TO the excellence
of its chorus This grandest composition
of one Of the greatest composers, was
sung from the opening recitative to the
tumultuous Amen, in manner that in
spired solemnity in the audience,
and admiration for the genius of
of the master mind that conceived 1t. The
club has every reason for a feeling of
pride in its advancement to the plane OF
excellence that made the magnificent
music of last evening possible.
The audience numbered little over a
thousand people. The lower part of the
house was filed and nearly half Of the
balcony. Many of the audience came
late, and as the music began promptly
the opening tenor recltative was con-
siderably marred by confusion.
The chorus, numbering nearly 100, oc-
cupied raised seats on the stage, the
soloists being seated in front. The
selected orchestra was seated on
staging erected over the FIRST
three rows of chairs. Director Gil.
christ stood on a high platform, over
looking all. The audience applauded
frequently and warmly. but the grand
solemniSy Of the oratorio and the story it
told impressed itself, and at no time was
there the demonstrative enthusiasm that
popular opera would have aroused.
In the introduction to the program,
Howard Pyle speaks as follows: Prob
ably upon this, of all his works. Handel's
name is most firmly pedestaled Handels
choruses are most remarkable for their
clearness, and perhaps of all his works
the choruses of the Messiah are the most
characteristic Of the simple grandeur of
the Masters genias. The general con-
struction is in nearly every instance the
same; the first theme is given out, usually
by one part ccompanied by simple hnr-
mony second theme follows, fire.
quently developed out of the first, and
sometimes third, each Of which in turn
is repeated aud answered by the various
parts. All then unite in some clear-cut
passage Of great dignity, after which the
themes are brought into closer and
closer proximity, until finally, all the
voices rush as by one grand impulse to
reiteration of the story mass eliminating
in a tremendous finale.
In the present version, the oratorio
has been divided into two instead of
into three parts. II has also been sub
jected to some judicious cutting to bring
it easily within the limits Of an even
ing's performance.
''In the general construction Of the
composition, each of these two parts may
again be divided into two portions, briefly
as follows:
First Parts. The prophetic passages
relating to the Advent of thu Messiah.
b. The Advent.
Second Part-a. The Life, Death and
I Ds1r !,
lating to the salvation of humanity by
the coming of the Messiah.
The first chorus was well received and
well sung The chorus ''For unto us a
child is born, was very effective. The
opening chorus OF the second part
"Behold the Lamb of God, was rich ia
expressive sadness and pathos, while
that beginning 20 ye gates" was joyous
and effective.
The hallelujah chorus was the culmi-
nation Of grandeur. A note in the pro-
gram requested the audience to stand
while IL was sung When the chorus
rose, there was a moment of hesitation
and then, as the music began, the entire
audience rose to its feet. A burst of
triumnhful song. such as is rarely heard.
followed, and the magnificent chorus
was sung with grand effect The audi
ence felt the inspiration and the act
seemed one of worship AS every one stood
in silence and reverence, drinking in the
sublime music.
The closing chorus was full of volume
and the amen was a fitting close to the
evening of music At one or two places
want of spontaneousness in the start.
ing of the chorus was noticeable and q
moments drag in time at one place was
/ oF ~ 4
whole in any way
The soloists were as follows: Soprano,
Miss Kate Currinder of Wilmington
contralto, Mrs S +. Osbourn of Phila
delphia; tenor, Leonard E. Auty of Phil
adelphia; bass, w e. Harper Of New
York; accompanist, Walter Hall Of Phila-
delphis;
Miss CuErinder was applauded as she
rose to sing her first solo. Her voice was
clear and full. She sang unusually well
and was frequently applauded, Her besi
solos were "Come Unto Me All Ye That
: Labor" Chow Beautiful Are The Feet
of Them That Preach The Gospel o.
Peace and that greatest of sacred songs
II Know That My Redeemer Liyeth
The latter song was interpreted
with exquisite taste and feeling
Mrs. Osborne's deep, rich voice was
heard with excellent effect Her best
solos He Shall Feed His Flock Like a
Sheperd, ard 'He Was Despised an6
Rejected of Men. The latter was very
expressive and beautiful Mr.. Auty
sang well last evening, and his rendition
of Behold and See If There Be Any
Sorrow Like Unto His Sorrow" was a
solo of great pathos and taste.
Mr. Harper has never been heard in
this city before. His FIRST solo charmed
the audience. He has a magnificent
voice. full of volume and strength, and
at its best in the middle and upper regis
ters. His solo, why Do the Nations SC
Furionsly Rage Together" was splen-
did, and "The Trumpet Shall Sound,
was sublime. The latter has beautiful
cornet obligato, which was particularly
fine.
The orchestra comprised twenty
stringed and eight wind instruments. Its
playing was of the best character and
added much to the general effect.
No Wilmington audience ever heard q
more successful evening of music and tC
Mr. Gilchrist is due the credit for it.
Remember Hart's.