Morning journal and courier., 1891-12-18
GRAND CONCERT.
A Brilliant Success Achieved by the
 Gounod Society, Assisted by Boston

A Brilliant Success Achieved by the
 Gounod Society, Assisted by Boston
 Talent.
 The Gounod society. at their grand con- cert last evening scored splendid success. The theater was taxed to it's utmost to hold those who came to hear, and the hearty and frequent applause that was given attested to the merit of the perform ance. Professor Emilio Agramonte is to be given great deal of praise for his suc- cessful training of the chorus and also his The Germania orchestra of Boston was present and assisted in the music, with Emil Mollenhawer as concert master and Harry Rowe Shelley as organist. Mrs. Jennie Patrick Walker, who, it will be re- membered, sang here last season in the Redemption" was the soprano. It seems to be the general opin- ion that she has improved much over last year, although she sang at some disadvantage last evening, owing to a slight attack of Ia grippe. She is consid- most enthusiastic students of music of the day. Miss Gertrude Edmunds sang the alto. This was her first appearance in public here, and she achieved 8 marked success. He rich full tone formed an ap- propriate offset to Mrs. Walkers "high C's." MT. George Parker was the tenor, ard is singer hardly surpassed in his line. Heinrich Meyn sang the baritone. It will be recalled that he achieved great success in the Cantata of Arminins at the Worcester musical festival last September. The mezzo sopranos were MT. Dr. F. w.. Brown and Miss May H. Mansfield, both New Haven ladies. 1.7
 The music must be heard to be appreci- ated. They were the productions of two great masters-Mendelssohn the greatest of German masters, and Saint Saens, the greatest of the French. Thus an excellent the music of the races which are in such close proximity to one another, but ex- hibit traits and ideas so different. The prelude of the Christmas Oratorio, Noel of Saint Saens, is pastoral symphony of the most exquisite sweetness. The harp forms prominent feature. here and lends rare charm. The mezzo-soprano air, 'Firm in the Faith," sung by Miss Edmunds, re- ceived good deal of praise and also the duet, "Blessed Ever who Cometh in the Name of the Lord," by Mrs. Walker and Mir. Parker. But the grandest features of Noel are the chorus, "Wherefore are the Nations Raging" and the trio by Mrs. Walker, MT. Parker and Mir. Meyn. In the chorus the impassioned opening changes to solemn strain and again rises to the dence. In the trio the harp accompani- ment is an inspiration. It's beauty and sweetness can scarcely be imagined with out the hearing of it. The oratorio con- cludes with chorus, ''Raise Now the Host on High"
 After pause in which the orchestra was increased by the trombones and drum and diminished by the removal of the harp, the "Hymn of Praise" was opened by symphony, which commenced with a melody which increased in power until a climax was reached when it subsided into an adagio religioso strain. The piece car ries with it throughout a more powerful and forcible strain than the Noel, seeming to exalt Gods majesty and sublimity more than his goodness and mercy and love as in the Noel. The duet by Mrs. Walker and chorus was marked feature. This was followed by an air and recitative by MT. Parker, which is perhaps the most prominent part of the "Hymn of Praise" especially the recitative s'Watchman, Will the Night Soon Passa'' The solo by Mrs. Walker and chorus, "The Night is Departing, the Day is Ap- preaching" suggests strain full of mar tial clang and noise. The choral, 'Let All Men Praise the Lord," was most beautiful, the first half was sung without accompa- niment and displayed the training of the chorus to it's best advantage. This was followed by duet by Mrs. Walker and MT. Parker. At this point MT. Parker's singing was not praiseworthy. He is in a loftier strain than the choral. The chorus, ''Ye Nations, Offer to the Lord Glory and Might" closed the piece. The society has had one difficulty to contend, however. in that fifteen or more were un- able to sing on account of la grippe, and Mrs. Walker was suffering from it slightly. Of course, the loss of fifteen or twanty voices is greatly missed in 8 chorus of 150. But it was great success, nevertheless, and music-lovers here have had treat which will be remembered. The selection to be rendered at the next concert is the 'Oratorio of Elijah"