The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1891-12-03
vERDps REQUIEM SUNG.
The Arion Club Had Good Audience
Which 1t Pleased.

Inc AriOn CfuD hau soou """~
Which It Pleased.
There have been few entertainments In
Providence in recent years, to which even
the most fastidious critic could give such
unqualified approval as could justly be
accorded the concert of the Arion Club
given last evening. Verdi's Requiem "
is a series of surprising and beautiful tone
effects that unites the major melodies OF
the Italian school with the more grand
themes German school-a combination, az
il were Of sweetly descriptive scenes ana
just enough of the somber background To
give the whole symmetry that betokens
alike the artist and musical genius In
every line.
The subject is old, the consigning, of the
soul to the place OF eternal abode, but
Verdi's treatment of it is original in that
his description appeals to the senses more
distinctly than TO the conscience For
this reason il Is the more easily compre-
hcnded and the more enjoyable at the first
hearing The wierd, awful, pathetic
piano passages OF the Introduction ana
conclusion, inspire the feeling OF actual
visible contact with the soul in its state
oftrausition. Its trembling and hesitation
are vividly portrayed, but yet portrayed
with such reserve power that the imagina-
tion readily fills In the whole scene. The
more tremendous passages or the Dies
Irae" are equally clear tone pictures.
Taken as whole the work appeals alike
TO the learned musician and TO the one
who loves music for music's sake.
OF the Interpretation Of the work by the
chorus and solists little need be said. 1t
was admirable, and in many respects IT
was perhaps the most perfect concert ever
given. The chorus work is by no means
so technically easy as its amount is small.
In many places the waole effectiveness Is
dependent upon the precision of attack
and the sustained tone OF the chorus but
in no place did the chorus fail. The light
and shadow the pianissimo, the crescendo
and the forttssimo were alike treated In a
manner that commanded the attention OF
the audience. The soloists' voices not
only blended with each other, but each
voice seemed peculiarly fitted to its part.
In general, the strictly pure soprano voice
has rarely any sympathetic touches, but
Mrs. Geneve Johnstone- Bishop has voice
of clear soprano quality OF = most eX-
quisite technique, and withall voice that
is full OF soul Its sympathetic effect In
the piano passages added greatly 20 the
charm of the work Mrs. Julia f. Wyman
has voice that were IL only little
heavier would be all that the Providence
public have admired so much in Miss
Emily Winant. The richness and fullness
of the mezzo-soprano tone carried her
hearers with her in every note she sang.
Signor Galassi is the recognized baritone
artist par excellence in the country, and
Mr.. William Rogers voice waa also pure
in quality, sweet and rich at all times
The ensemble of the piece was great
credit TO all concerned, and if 1t is not too
early in the season to look forward
gesL that the Requiem be made feature
Of that occasion, with the same soloists II
possible. The work Is honestly worth
more than one performance.