The record-union., 1892-02-05
ELIJAH, !"
The Sublime Masterpiece of Men
deissohn,
as Sung Last Night by the Sacramento
Choral Society-A Pronounced
Success Scored.

Kinross, sang the oratorio of "Elijah."
The Metropolitan Theater was filled by
an appreciative, though not demonstra-
tive audience. But that its interest was
closely held for three hours, suffering at
no time any relapse, testifies to the entire
success with which the society interpreted
Mendelssohn's sublime work.
Oratorio has not been sung in Sacra-
mento in many years; the taste for it
has not been cultivated here. 1t is not
surprising, therefore, that while the
crowded house was held in most fatter-
ing attention, the audience was but
mildly disposed to reward the efforts of
the singers with applause. However, the
more striking choruses, solos and pieces
with mixed voices received the recogni-
ton of applause.
But the performance was worthy OF
more pronounced manifestations OF ap-
proval, for it was throughout meritorious,
and the association of singers deserving
of warm encouragement. All such work
is beneficent; it refines and broadens the
taste; cultivates love for the unsurpassed
melodies of sacred music. and tends to
quicken the sensibilities and soften the
harsher factors in the human compost
ton.
The society put upon the stage one hun
dred and two voices, supported by eight
cen instrumentalists. The division be-
tween the voice parts was very happily
made, and the result of the combination
OF forces was an exceedingly well bal
anced body of singers, whose execution
was distinguished by three special feat
ures-clearness of tone, with good vol
ume; precision; distinctnesS OF enuncia-
"a nj yaf
well retained in hand, and not at any
time degenerating into mere vociferation;
the singers were precise as to time and
accent, and observance of the conductors s
baton; they enunciated with distinctneSs,
without any sacrifice of melody, and thus
testified to very careful and certainly in
telligent leadership. Without the book
of the oratoriO, no difficulty was expert
enced in understanding every line, and
the little pamphlet was therefore not
painfully reSOrted to as unfortunately
hbrettos of operas are many times.
The chorus numbers were given with
clean finish and the nelodic character of
all the passages skillfully preserved.
Without any disposition, whatever, to
fatter, and sensible than unwarranteG
praise does only harm, especially with
local musical organizations, the RECORD
UNION has no hesitancy, whatever, in
saying that the society surprised its audi
scarcely believed that in this community
such a body of good voices could be
rallied and trained for first performance
TO such harmonious and successful work
The society has proved that oratorio can
be given here without importations sat-
isfactOrily and in manner to reflect
credit upon the community.
In two or three places only were the
more difficult choruseS, there We're brief
indications of hesitation, and once or
twice in quartetS there was failure of
some voice to sustain the note the full
time called for, and once three or four
voices in a mixed part failed to sustain
chord the requisite time. But these were
minor events and barely noticeable. for
the rule was sharpness and strength of
attack and fullneSs and evenness in sus-
tanning chords.
''Eliiah' is the production of a great
master; It's choralS are wonderful in
their grave, suggestive beauty, and the
recitatives, full Of feeling and pathos, win
their way into the deepest part of ones
regard. The arias are all beautiful, some
of them OF Incompatible tenderness,
as, for instance, that for the soprano
Mrs. Bonnheim), Hear Ye, IsraeF':
that for the contralto Mrs. Hawley),
wait Patiently for Him.; another for
contralto (Mrs. Howard), "Woe Unto
Them" The triO-sopranos and con-
tralto Miss Clinch, Miss Casedy and
Mrs. Howard)-" Thine Eyes to the
Mountains is full of fine melodic grace.
and was given with warmth, feeling
and devotional tenderness that deeply
moved every hearer whose sensibilities
were at all awake.
Where there is such all-around general
excellence, it is not, in a hasty review at
late hour, intended to speak specially of
individual performances in a critical
spirit. But even in passing review it is
justice to accord to leaders their deserts
1t is wholly within bounds therefore
to say that the laboriouS task given
the basso, Mr.. Beardslee, in the score of
"Elijah," was well sustained and dis
charged, and was marked by a number
of solos that, before more responsive
audience, must have brought out strong
applause. Mrs. Percy Ross and the ladies
already named; Walter Longbottom,
Horace Crocker, r. L. Cohn, c. T. Milli-
ken, either in solos, trios or quartets car
ried the parts assigned them with credit
to themselves and the society. 1t would
be pleasant to specify the several notable
numbers in which there was the fullest
manifestation of intelligent grasp OF the
theme, did the eXigencies Of time and
space permit.
1t would, however, be injustice to last
evenings event to fail to distinguish the
opening of the second part by Mrs. Bonn
helm, soprano, with the air, Hear Ye
Israel; Hear what the Lord Speaketh": !:
the air for tenor, Mr.. Longbottom, "If.
With all Your Hearts," the chorus,
"Baal, We Cry 10 Thee" and the finale,
Thanks be to Cod" as beyond all ques-
ton the gems of the singing of the even
ing.
1t would not be difficult to point out
wherein some improvements could have
been made in the presentation of the
oratorio; it is always easy to discover
blemishes, but the RECORD UNION is not
disposed TO indicate those minor matters
that will almost rectify themselves when
next the society appears. 1t is enough to
know that there was massed over hun
dred conscientious singers, who have
labored long without hope of other re-
ward than the qualification of giving
Sacramento, In creditable manner. one
of the sublimeSt of oratorioS and that
they succeeded very much beyond ex-
pectation.
Human effort thus directed is a COM
munity benefit; and iwhen its shortcom-
ings are neither grievous nor many it is
the part Of justice. and pleasure also, to
give it the commendation that stimulates
TO sustained energy in the same direction.
The book Of the oratorio furnished by
the society was very neat pamphlet, in
telhgently edited and introduced, which
contributed TO the pleasure and under
standing of the auditor. The officers of the
Choral Society are: President, Rev. j. l..
Levy; Vice president, O. w. Erlewine:
DirecJors-H. X. Blair, b. Wilson, C.. T.
Millikin; Treasurer, G. II. krebs; Secre-
tary, Mrs. J. a. Moynihan; Conductor
w. II. kinroSS; Music Committee-Miss
lida Clinch, Mrs. \. Eikus, r. 7. Cohn,
w. L. NJ. Beardslee. The active mem
bers number one hundred and twenty
The society has i'll preparation for its sec
ond concert Sterndale Benefits MAY
Queen" cantata never yet sung in the
United States.