The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-12-19
MUSICAL ENTERTAINMENTS.

gnsn maurfgais anu Oteess
Every seat in Plymouth Church was oc-
cupied last night at the closing entertain
ment of the first series of the dollar lecture
course. 1t was given by Prof. John Towers.
His subject was English Glee and Madri-
gal Writer'S the programme being n mix
ture of discourses and quintette singing.
The Professor prefaced his musical num-
bers with a resume of English history, so
far as it has a bearing upon the madrigal.
and therefrom he drew the conclusion that
the productions of the more modern
composers in this class of music are not
equal in merit TO those of an earlier date.
The madrigal figures very prominently. he
said, in the field of poetry. 1t is popular
because of its simplicity Originally it was
! a poem, sometimes known as a pastoral
poem, a kind OF composition that is not con-
fined TO the regularity of the sonnet. but
which contains some tender and delicate,
though simple. thought.
Opinions differ. however. rs TO the merit
of the madrigal when set to music. the Pro-
fessOr said. In 1897. Thomas Morley. re.
authority, wrote that the music,
While artificial. was most delightful.
One must be III a loving humor. he held. in
order To compose a madrigal and compose
1T successfully. Later on, Frederick Lewis
Ritter said that madrigal writers created
works. which. when we'll performed,
elected admiration from ali who heard
them by their simplicity. their charm and
their melody.
In order to let his hearers Judge for them
selves the Professor ahad arranged for a
choir. composed of Mrs 5. l.. Morrison.
Miss Lizzie Walker, Mrs Lynn. Mr.. Ben
ton and S. l.. Morrison. who sang several
selections without accompaniment. The
first four rendered were to illustrate the
popularity of the madrigal. and Richard
Edwards's Pm Going to Mine Lonesome
Bed" was selected and sung for its
plaintiye beauty and its harmony of com.
position, as was William Byrde's"Lnllaby."
Morley's Fire. Fire, My Heart" and in 20
that the Learned Poets" by Orlando Glib
bons- Following these madrigals three Sc
lections of English glees were given. They
w. Colcott; The Chougb and the Crow"
by John Bishop, and There Is Beauty on
the Mountains" by John Goss. The musical
selections were all received with hearty
applause by the audience.
A Successful Concert.
The concert given at Tomlinson Hall,
last night, by the first section of ladies of
Roberts Park Church, surpassed the most
sanguine expectations. Master Blatchford
Kavanaugh, of Chicago. a lad of twelve
years, had been engaged asa special attrac-
ton, and his wonderful singing fairly cleo
trified the audience. Imagine a boy in a
Knickerbocker suit and red tie, with brown
curly bair and a sweet face. singing the
most difficult music with a voice that many
a celebrated soprano might well envy. His
tones are pure and melodious. and the sew,
eral numbers were given with wonderful
l. ease and brilliancy. The cavatina, Rob
ert. Idol of My Heart" by Myerbeer, showed
1.-THE unusual register and execution. and in
fresponse to a perfect storm of applause he
~ xva h nm N s'Nn RnrE md Rrn0u ~
ltBOnne Doom" in a manner that brought out
l9the sympathetic qualities of his voice.
The second number was the recitative and
aria, With Verdure Clad. from the ''Crea-
ton" and this he sang even better. if posi-
BILE, and in response to a recall he gave
exquisitely angels Ever Bright and Fair"
1tw left for the last number, lnf1ammatus,
from "Stabat Mater" for him to do some
the high c with ease and held it unfalter-
ingly, and all the difficulties with which
. kthis selection abounds were met with the
fSs p%sE dS festival 4 chorus sS of members sssoS of
tPanied the last number. They were
i directed by Prof. J.. s. Black, in
/ place of Prof. Carl Barus, the regular di-
rector, who was Obliged to be Ct the Man.
Church 0uartette rendered two songs in
Y their ever good and pleasing style, and the
Banjo Club played and was so vociferously
applauded that they had to respond. Mrs.
Sang unusually well. In her first song Mr..
Gustav Rocker played the finite ~obligato,
and they so perfe city h~armonizedin the ca
II denzas that it was difficult to distinguish
the voice from the instrument. Mrs. Grace
ID. lowering, of Denver. always a favorite,
was warmly received. She sang Mari
nello," by Randigger. Her lovely voice
is greatly improved, and the great ap-
plause which she received at the
Il close was not only a testimonial to her
voice, but to the warm place which she
holds, and always will hold, in the hearts
: Of the Indianapolis public. The pianist of
the evening was Miss Mckenzie, who
played an "Arabesque'' of Meyer-Helmund
and the "StaccatO Caprice" of Vogrich.
The concert was q great success and one of
a day,