New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-05-20
GOOD CHORUS SINGING.
THE PROVIDENCE ARIoN CLUBS MUSE
FESTIVAL OPENED.
BERrIoz's DAMNATIoN OF FAUST WE'LL PEE
FoRMEp-AN EXCELLENT BODY OF SINGERS.
rBr TELEGRAPH TO THE TKIBUNE.l

rBr TELEGRAPH TO THE TKIBUNE.l
Providence, May ia music FESTIVAL, dlrecUeo oy
Jules Jordan, begun here this evening under
circumstances Of an exceedingly gratifying nature
from an artistic point of view, and with fair prospect
OF a financial outcome which will encourage repeti-
lions In the future. Mr. Jordans local society," the
Arion Club has undertaken the enterprise; ana for
the visitors from New-York and Boston its singing is
the most interesting feature of the meeting the other
elements being such as are familiar enough In the
metropolis Of the country and the chief city OF New
England Yet the choral, Instrumental and solo COM
binaton presents extremely interesting phase OF
musical culture, and one worthy Of study.
Tho band is composed Of fifty good musicians. the
great majority Of whom hail from Boston. IL was
organized about three weeks by George Stewart
member Of the Boston symphony Orchestra, who TOOK
advantage Of the growing festival spirit IN NewEng
land and undertook TO supply the choral organlza-
tons that are ambitious TO produce works m the
larger forms with capable band than they
could control under ordinary circumstances, and also
with solo talent Of high order 1t was daring
enterprise, but the outlook financially is good and
arscally 1t is easy that its influence viii be
potent md farreachng for good.
The festivals which have been held thus far mark
long step in advance of the old-fashioned musical
conventions which used TO offer vent to the choral
enthusiasm Of Eew-England, and at the same time,
have enabled the people of cities that 60 not enjoy the
artistic mnistrations OF Messrs. Nikisch and Thomas
to hear orchestral music solo lnstumentallsts and
singers of high class Mr.. Stewards combination has
thus far taken part in festivals in Hartford, Conn
Springfield, Mass, and Richmond, Va; and has given
concerts in NewBedford and Fall River, Mass; Will
mantle and 3Hddletown, Conn. Washington Baltimore
and Philadelphia. In the last two cities Mr.. Tschak-
owsky conducted some OF his own music, the concerts
being the only ones in which he participated outside
of New-York From this 1t will be that though,
In the present festival, the centre Of gravity for
New York or Boston observer lies in the choral por-
on for the local public all its features signih-
can't and welcome.
The concert tonight brought forward Berhoz-s
dramatic legend "The DamnatOn of Faust In which
the solo parts were sung in acceptable manner
by Miss Emma Juch, Andreas Dippel and William
Ludwig. The choir consisted Of the Arlon Club OF
$50 voices. The work was not new here, MT. Joroal
having performed 1t before with Che help OF the Ger
mania Orchestra of Boston, Infantry Hall, in which
the festival holding, large place more suited
in appearance for the purpose implied III
It's name than for concerts; but good
room acoustically, so good, in fact that ONe
cruditles Of the bands playing seemed 10 DO mag
ned rather than lessened, by the spacoushcss Oh te
room. The audience though it did not crowd the
hall was very numerous, and manifested an interest,"
in the music which gave evidence Of keener enjoyment
than It's somewhat apathetic behavior. several uhes
In the course Of the evening the singing OF the chor
was OF a kind that would have aroused great ell
thusiasm in cities whose musical aeuVl"es
would not justify the attempt TO dignity
series Of concerts like this with the name
Of "festivalr; though, it must be confessed,
New. York Inst week helped to put the stamp OF
amblcuity on the term Tie AriOn Club proves the
correctness of the observation which has found It's
way into The Tribune in spirit, at least, on many
occasions heretofore, that the excellence OF CITY
is not 10 be measured by the VaSthesS VI
its population. The greater stability OF smaller com
| tbo
selfsacrcng work OF singers who are not distracted
by multitude OF amusements and social obligations,
as the chOrlsters In cities IKE Newfork ana Bosten
arc the pleasurable excitement which the uncommon
privilege OF singing with competent bano before se
audiences bdngs-an these things make Tor the sood
OF choral music in small cities and towns and their
fruits were present N the choirs labors tonight
From this IL must not be assumed that the Aron
Club Is to be ranked in all respects over the large
organizations Of some OF the larger eiues OF the
country, but simply that, relatively II takes high
piace among those cholrs. Proporuonately the
number OF real singers in its ranks
IS much greater than In the ranks
of the oratoro Society OF New-York, for instance.
That to say there is less dead wood in the body
The male choir is noticeaby fine, and the contingent
OF tenOrs is most admirable body, and put 10 shame
their brethren OF tho Oratorlo Society In the New
York festival last week. The womens voices are
fresh in quality, pure in nonadon, and, indeed the
body of tone whole is homogeneous, well balanced
and satisfying. At times little sluggishaesS OF
tempo aud d minimum of expression suggested crit
Teal train OF thought but IL not 0ien, and the
temptation cOndone these faults strong when
splendid burst OF harmony reached the
! car IL Is choir of which Providence Ousht To DO
proud, and which sings well that neithef the Choir
listers nor their leader ought 10 be satisfied until 10 can
sing better.
The festival will be continued tomorrow aud Thurs
day. Tomorrow there will be miscellaneous CON
cert 10 ennbe the band and solo performers to shine,
the participation OF the choir being confined to shorter
works namely, Bruch's Z" Fair Ellen,' chorus from
| fhe tfOuuOd'S
| Callla.p On Thursday afternoon there viii be an
| other miscellaneous concert, End In the evening
| EliIahp will be performed IL. u. X.