Morning journal and courier., 1889-05-24
THE OLD TOWN AWAKE.
The Elijah Orat0r1o i'm Berlin-By tk &f. Lahn StHaaE Chureh nrarox,

The Elijah OratOr1o in Berlln-By the
 St. John Street Church Oratorro
 Chorus.
 To the Editor of the JOURNAL AND COURIER:
 For weeks the quiet village of Berlin, Ct., has bsen in state of great excitement and unusual anxiety was expressed on the face of the oldest inhabitants as to what would hap pen if the alarming symptoms could not at once be met and the village restored to it's normal state. There were vague rumors in anything that neither 'tSarah Jenkins" nor 'eSusie Jones" knew exactly what was going on. Susie said it might be depended upon that whatever it was those people in the 'Singin scewl" of the Congregational church certainly knew something about it though they would tell nothing. And SO the anxious ones waited until one fair morning an epi- demic was declared and the whole town posted with bills announcing that the oratorio fever had reached Berlin and a consultation on the case would be held in the Congregs- tional church on the evening of May 22, at which time the St. John street Oratorio sos ciety of New Haven, under direction of Pr #. Jepson, would sing the Elijah with the assis- tance of the following soloists: Miss Nora Russell, soprano: Miss Madge Roberts, con- tralto, F. H. Osborn, tenor; MT. Ericsson Bushnell, bssso; Master Walter Schneeloch, soprano. Harry Jepson, accompanist.
 Early on the evening of the appointed day the various committees were hard at work. The church was beautifully decorated, 8 bountiful repast was provided in the chapel and all was in readiness. The singers arrived in Berlin shortly after o'clock and were conveyed to the village in "busses" and car- riages. The supper was one to be long re- membered and several applications for sum- mer board were at once sent out to the vari- ous housewives whose cooking was thus brought to notice. Promptly at 7:5O the concert began. Owing to lack of proper railroad accommodations much of the seconds part of the oratorio was left out. The soloists with the exception of MT. Bushnell were in fine voice and each received the hearty ap- plause of the audience. Mir. Bushnell was suffering with an attack of tonsilitis, which greatly affected the quality of his voice. His solos, however, were sung with his aecustom- ed vigor and animation, which atoned for the defects of quality for which he was not responsible Miss Nora Russell was heard to great advantage in Clear ye Israel" and the dramatic aria fol- lowing. Miss Roberts sang "Woe unto them" with great beauty of tone, and it was sincerely regretted that the familiar 70 Rest in the Lord" was cut. Ar. Osborn sang the well-known ''If with all your Hearts" in good style, and also the solo, ''Then shall the Righteous" Much interest was manifest in the singing of Master Schneeloek, who sang the music of the youths part The chorus work was in many ways fine. There were weak points, but on the whole the noble choruses were we'll sung. ''The thanks be to God" and ffBe not Afraid" were sung with great decision, and the chorus, "He watching over Israeli" was sung in most beautiful m amer.
 The Oratorio will be given next Wednes- day, May 294h, at the St. John street Metho- dist church, when no doubt large audience will be present to give its approval, as did the audience i1 Berlin, which comp prised well-known musicians from Hartford, Meri- den, New Britain and Aiddletown, besides the delegation from New Haven.
 FROM A BERLIN LADY.
 The following is an extract from 8 letter written by most estimable lady, formerly for many years New Haven resident: When we consider the grandeur of the character of Elijah and the striking incidents of his life, and that the genious of Men dessohn has siezed upon these incidents and imbedded them in song one might expect that even the uninitiated in musical criticism would be delighted and awed by It's melodies.
 In the Congregational church at Berlin Wednesday evening large and appreciative audience greeted the Oratorio society of New Haven under the able leadership of Prof. Jspson.
 The part of Elijah was majestically sus- tained by the deep bass voice of MT. Bush- nell, and all the solos were finely rendered.
 In the Baal chorus the audience sat spell- bound by the rush of the glad chorus, Thanks be to God; he laveth the thirsty land" In the finale the triumphant music carries the prophet by a whirlwind to heaven.
 These are some of the striking features of the oratorio. The trio, quartettes and solos were exquisite and the whole performance was a delight.
 In the wild, wierd shrieks of the people, "Baal, we cry to thee," and the reply of Eli- jah, "Call him loudsr;;" in the prayer of the prophet and it's answer, "The fre descends from heaven" one was almost transported to Mount Carmel and saw the triumph of the true God. Then again, Elijah on the mount with his servant praying and watching for rain were beautifully rendered.