The Sunday herald and weekly national intelligencer., 1891-04-26
MUSICAL GOSSIP.

The closing concert of the Choral Society
was the only musical happening of the past
week, and more pleasing performance in
every respect is seldom given in Washington
''The Spectre Bride'' itself is full of descrip-
tive beauties, both in the voice parts and in
the orchestration, and, despite the weird char
acter of the story, holds the interest and ad-
miration of the audience from beginning to
end. The chorus parts are very difficult, un-
usual and unexpected intervals constantly ap-
pearing, but they were given without per-
ceptible flaw. All the niceties of shading were
well worked up, and the attack was bold and
determined In most choruses there is
scarcity of tenors, but last Wednesday night
the tenors equaled the BASES in number, and
the bass choir was hardly strong enough for
the other parts. Mr.. Ludwig had the most
difficult of the solo parts, and was easily the
favorite, his grand voice being just suited to
the part of the Narrator. Mr.. LAWN improves
with each hearing. His quality of voice and
style of delivery are both pleasing in high
degree, and he sang the music allotted to the
Spectre with rare taste and musical intelli-
gence He is in every way an admira-
bly, equipped and excellently trained art
list, whom we cannot hear too fire.
quently. Nine. Sophie Zela was engaged
for the soprano part by telegraph, the message
reaching her at o'clock on Monday evening.
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evidently not looked it over since. as she was
uncertain in places both in intonation and
time. She gave the solos numbers with feel
ing and was especially enjoyable in the Gave
Maria" The solo parts are all ungrateful.
difficult to sing, and SO closely followed by
chorus numbers that the audience has hardly
a chance to show their appreciation. The
duets between soprano and tenor are full of
interest, and their dramatic possibilities were
well brought out by Nine. Zela and Mr..
LAWN. The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
furnished an excellent accompaniment in
spite of flute out of tune, and a harp player
from New York, who managed to lose his
place when he had anything to do. They
were too loud for the soloists in places, but
generally gave great satisfaction. Mr.. I'll. G.
Sherman, the director of the society, deserves
much praise for the work of the chorus and
the general excellence of the performance. If
he has any fault 1t is due to his lack of expe-
rience with an orchestra. Finer chorus effects
are seldom heard and an equal amount of at
tention given to the orchestra at the concert
would produce equally as good effects Mr..
Sherman has been the director of the society
since its organization eight years ago, and the
results achieved are due to musical judgment
and skill as conductor.
4 X
The Choral Society began the season with
debt of $500, and made every effort to make
the seasons receipts large enough to pay
this as well as the current expenses. Through
some cause hard to explain their concerts
We're only fairly well attended, resulting in a
loss for the season of $3.50. This is in addi-
tion to the old debt There is talk already OF
giving another concert during May, and ask
Ing every one to take an interest in lifting
the debt
X X X
Nine. Zela sails for Europe in June to
make her temperance in opera She will be
gone year and further engagements may
keep her longer time. She knew hardly a
word of English when she came to Boston,
less than two years ago, yet she sang without
any foreign accent except in one or two
places. The wide streets and budding trees
were an unending source of pleasure to the
prima donna, and she declared Washington
the finest city she had seen in America.
H. IL r
Mr.. Ludwig returns to London in June, but
expects to be singing in America by April OF
next year. He said that he didn't work as
hard as in past years, although only forty
four, and his wife wouldn't let him stay away
as long as formerly. He can always be sure
of a warm welcome in Washington. His