The Sunday herald and weekly national intelligencer., 1891-12-27
IN MUSICAL CIRCLES.

The unreasonable weather of the past week
had most depressing effect upon the Christ
mas music prepared at the various churches.
Hardly choir was without its list of singers
on the sick list, so that at the last moment
changes In the programmes were necessary.
green Christmas is not popular among
vocalists-however much 1t be desired by un-
dertakers.
recent "cold snap" prompted CORE
spondent of a New York paper to write an
article showing the necessity for extreme care
among public singers of guarding against
colds, in which the statement was made that
the majority of the principals OF the several
opera companies were in the habit of muf-
fling themselves from head TO foot. From
rather extended acquaintance with travel
Ing singers the writer Is convinced that
the opposite to the above is true. ANY one
who has observed with what Indifference
opera singers regard the chill drafts which
lurk behind the scenes in the average theatre
will exonerate them from the charge of over
carefulness of their persons. 1t appears that
as rule singers are rather more careless than
others in this regard.
Apropros of muffling, story is recalled
which illustrates the kind of singers probably
referred to by the New York writer. Some
years ago a concert party from q dis
tant city gave most delightful entertain
ment in Washington, after which the men,
bers were entertained by a local musical club
III uuc uOSplUdDle manner WHICH is prOVerDlal
among our musicians. Each of the visitors
had, on leaving the concert hall, encased his
feet In thickly lined ''arctics," while the
neck, chin and mouth were swathed in fold
over fold Of silk muffier. From hat to over
shoes reached an ulster, suggesting an Arctic
expedition-all this on one Of our mldest
winter nights. To the endeavors of the
Washlngtonians to keep up a conversation
during the short walk to the place Of enter
tainment, the only response was a gutteral
ugh" which occasionally forced its way
from the depths of the ulsters Arrived at
the house, and after the process of unwrap-
ing had been concluded, the entertainers
were astounded to learn that the visitors
neither eat. drank nor sang after a perform
ance, and the impression left behind was that
the lot of a travelling singer was not happy
one. Its effect was perhaps profitable, as 1t
crushed then and there the aspirations of the
local club to attain more than local reputa-
tion.
Professor Kaspar visited Baltimore last
week on the invitation of the director Of the
Garland Orchestra, of that city, to attend one
of It's rehearsals, and expressed himself as
highly pleased at the excellent discipline
shown by that favorite amateur organization.
The occasion was very pleasant one, and the
Baltimore conductor will show his reciprocal
spirit by attending the coming concert of the
Georgetown Amateur Orchestra on the 9th
proximo.
The concert given by the Harvard Banjo,
Mandolin, and Glee clubs at National Rifles
Armory on Friday evening drew one of the
prettiest audiences seen this season, many Of
our representative society people being pres
ent, and all appeared to enjoy to the utmost
the characteristic songs and catchy instru-
mental selections rendered in true college
style. The mandolin contingent easily led In
point of excellence, their numbers being rem
dered with crisp precision, showing careful
training. Some disappointment was felt in
the work of the Glee Club, both in the selec-
tions and rendition. The club is deficient in
tenors-sadly so-and most of the better COM
positions suffered from this cause. But 1t
must be said that they gave the audience a
surfeit of comic songs, and we would suggest
that in the makeup of their programmes they
should not make this the feature, 10 the ex-
clusion Of the really beautiful compositions
the glee clubs of other colleges render so
charmingly.
The only soloist engaged by the Choral
Society for the coming production of stThe
Messiah' at Albaugh's Opera House. who is
unknown in this city, is Miss Christine Nell
son. a contralto of prominence In the West,
where she has been singing leading parts for
some time. Ille other soloists Mr.. and Mrs.
LAWN and Mr.. Moraroski are well known
and established favorites here. photograph
Of Miss Nelson, at Metzerotts, represents
strikiL gly beautiful young lady. who, II she
sings as well as she looks, will speedily make
friends here.
The Temple Quartette, of Boston, one of
the Oldest organizations of its kind In this
country, and one of the best, withal, is to
visit Washington professionally during this
season, and during their stay the members
will be entertained at banquet by the Franz
Abt Club.
The Columbia Amateur Orchestra made It's
first public appearance at the National Rifles
Hall last Tuesday. The selections were ad-
mirably rendered for such young organiza-
ton. The conductor, Professor j. D. Rhodes,
Jr., is young musician with remarkable
talent, and takes great interest in his work
An invitation is extended to young musicians
to join. The object of the orchestra is mutual
improvement, and to lend what aid they can
to charitable undertakings.