The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-02-24
page -.
The Arion Concert.

The musical public of Providence is so
wont TO look upon the Arion Club as a
fr-rrt tttrt parcci of it's owff bcfnr the
character of the last evenings concert,
made necessary by lack of appreciative
support among the lovers of music in
general, must have caused some regret.
This year the number of concerts was re-
duced from four to three in order that
each one might be musical entertain
ment of the highest order with the fitting
accompaniment of "a full orchestra. But
the full orchestra, the leading concert
artists and the general setting of the great
masterpieces are expensive, and il is be.
coming every year more and more evident
that the people of this city do not care 10
give the financial support necessary
There is neither sufficient local appre-
citation of the powers that the
Arion Club possesses or sufficient
local pride to encourage the club to put
forth its best efforts. 1t does not seem to
be generally known that the years of time
ana patient effort which managers and
members of the club have put into this
organization have made il without a peer
in America for concerted choral work, and
the great body of the people do not seem
TO recognize the fact that the work of
which the Arion Club is capable has been
favorably compared by the most eminent
critics with the best work done by the
have world wide regulations. Such are
the plain facts of the case, however, and
so we are compelled to listen To miscel-
laneous concert such as was given last
evening when little more general appre-
citation and liberal subscription of mem
bershp tickets would insure q series of
such grand musical works as was given at
the first entertainment of this season.
Worcester with it's 10000 inhabitants can
support series of u full weeks con
certs, but Providence can not support
three.
AS to the entertainment last evening,
il was excellent but not exempt from
some adverse criticism. The attack in the
first measures of the opening number
ballad of "A knight and his Daughter" ,"
was slightly uncertain and there were
times when the accompaniment lacked
sufficient accent to encourage the chorus
to put forth the proper power The COM
bined accompaniment of the piano and
organ was not pleasing, and il was some
minutes before the singers seemed to gain
their accustomed ease and precision. All
seeming errors were however fully re-
deemed by the exquisite work OF the
female chorus in the next isumber, 1.-THE
Lady of Shabott." The composer has
perfectly caught the sentiment of the
Poet Laureate. and has wo len TO the
words of Englands Bard series of
strains that harmonize and blend TO per-
fection. The purity of tone, the sustained
power and shading of this number com
bned with an accompaniment which was
an inspiration in itself, made the piece the
gem of the evening. vorak's Woodland
Angelus," n four part descriptive song
was artisticaly rendered and the second
base did splendid work, giving as il were,
"A shadowy back ground TO the other voices.
"Under Blooming Branches was
marked by the excellent work OF the
tenors, and by that light sustained tone,
the well rounded crescendo and diminu-
endo for which the chorus is so noted.
King Olaf's Christmas, given 10y the male
chorus and sol, needs no criticism. The
concert was closed by u very appropriate
gem of Gade, sunset
Local interest in the solosts centred in
Mr.. Towne but "A very evident nervous
ness and n selection slightly too porten-
tious under the trying circumstances com
bned TO make his reception less pleasing
than his ability deserves. Mr.. Towne has
improved greatly since his last appear
ance here, and undoubtedly we shall hear
his voice, which is of a very pure aud
sweet quality, to better advantage in the
near future.
The rich, mellow tones OF Mr.. Clifford s
voice strongly reminds one OF that much
beloved artist, William Ludwig. He has
the vibrating quality of the basso can
tante voice which, with a few years of de
velopment should place him in the front
rank of concert singers.