The sun., 1890-01-12
A MUSIC LECTURE.
Mr.. DamrOaeh Talks and Plays and His
Audience Of Women Admire.

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Audience Of Women Admire.
The musical lectures given by Mr. Walter
Damrosch have lost mono Of their fascination
for fair auditors, and whenever one is an
nounced the little theatre OF the Berkeley Ly-
ceum Is filed with a throng OF enthusiastic
listeners among whom scarcely half dozen
me may be counted. Each man hearer Is at
tended by a delighted sister. wife or woman
friend, who endeavors to inspire him with her
sensations Of supreme felicity. while he. judg-
Ing from his expression. feels as though he
had inadvertently strayed into Il ladies' lunch
party without his best bonnet and gloves and
was trying to satisfy his hunger with macca-
rooms and rosebuds. Tho theatre is just the
sort OF cozy, luxurious, retired little place that
women like to frequent. The youthful lecturer
has some subtle charm OF perSouality or ad-
dress which makes him a great !avorite with
women. and the musical disourses are both
entertaining. unique. and clever
Take for instance last Mondays lecture on
pointed time Mr.. Dam mrosch came out upon the
stage and saluted bis hearers. seating himself
t al the piano VIII nI h,s lace turned toward his
their attention. little murmur OF applause
from the Rloved hands greeted him and silence
discourse. Not a skirt rusted not pro-
Rramme ratified. not fan nuttered. whisper
would have sounded Ike cyclone and the
proverbial PIN had II dropped would have made
Throughout the overture preceding the Sec
ond act he deFcribed each motive, talking AS
he played. bringing out the notes clearly OF the
piano and then, describing the scene upon the
stage in few simple but realistic expressions,
he proceeded t. read the words OF the singers
In n metrical rhythm In timea with the
music. bringing out M,ne's whining, dis
sonant croaking with his voice at the
same same time that VIII BE angSrs on The
steps until the hideousslittle dwarf stood out
plainly before them all Then the Sev-
y'ied tones, and motive. clear, fresh. and
fearless: the sharp sword motion. tho
fash OF tho ring, WOtan'S mighty voice,
the dragons deep snd heavy tones iE,'da's se-
the hum and life and stir OF the woodland, the
birds sweet notes and prophecy. all depicted
in the expression OF the speakers face: tho
changing tones OF his voice, the sure. unerring
happy unison: AZ last the wonderful awaklng
OF Brunhilde. to which the quaint simplicity OF
his words with their slight German accent the
earnestness OF his tone amid the never-ceas-
ing melody gave new Significance and purDort.
Why, i cou d Just see the stage right before
and the bird answering and ALL" said one lady
with a little sigh when 1t was over and the lee
turer had bowed himself out with The same
grave serenity amid tho soft applause OF the
small glOyed hands.
+" Poor fellow. how tired no must be-" said
another gusher while some one else remarked
on the won. erful changes In the expression OF
the young lecturers face and In tho sound of
his voice. initiating 40 closely the different
characters in the opera II Is, indeed. rather
complicated form q enlsI talnmept. combining
the duties OF an eiocuiiontst and musician in
one. and at the same time explaining the signi-
HcatiOn and occasion OF each. There!is to be
another lecture Tomorrow afternoon.