Morning journal and courier., 1892-04-02

perion TO Listen TO the Oratorfo as
Given by the Gounod Society -
Memorable Musical Event.
By the successful presentation of Men
delssohn's elijah" yesterday afternoon
and evening the Gounod society scored
another triumph. If the performance
was not a perfect one in all respects, it
was certainly one that reflected great
credit to the society and was an advance
step in pathway which at its beginning
was not exactly strewn with flowers. The
history of the Gounod society shows what
pluck and perseverance can do towards
talent appreciated and supported by a
conservative populace. 1t is great stride
from the 'Jack and Jill" of a few seasons
ago to the sElijah" of last evening and
the ladies and gentlemen who have made
it are to be congratulated. The immense
audiences which greeted both the after
noon and evening performances cannot
have failed to place the club upon
sound financial footing for next seasons
work.
elijah" was last heard in this city on
February IA, 1877, the work being sung
by the New Haven Choral society, under
the leadership of MIR. Thomas G.. Shepard
The soloists were: Mr.. Myron w. Whit
ney, Mr.. William Castle, Mrs SIS. Thompson
and the late Miss Carrie Phelps. Music
hall was filled to its utmost capacity, all
the seats having been sold week in ad-
vance, rendering public rehearsal on the
evening previous to the concert a necessi-
ty. The oratorio was first presented at
the Birmingham festival on August IA,
1916. Its composer declared that no work
of his ever went so admirably at a first
performance or was received with such en-
&Hr,rs ~
dels time oratorios have been the favorite
public music, "Elijsh" occupies a place
almost, if not quite, on level with the
greatest of all oratorios-"The Messiah"
1t was the result of the labor of ten years
of Memberships life, and it has an air of
distinction which stamps the masterpiece
in every art.
The performance last evening was a
thoroughly enjoyable one, the applause
was frequent and the enthusiasm of the
audience was at times thoroughly aroused.
The soloists were most acceptable. Mr..
Max Heinrich, who assumed the title roll,
sang the part with dramatic power that
at once won the favor of musicians, sing
ers and audience. Thoroughly familiar
with the score and evidently fully imbaed
with the spirit of the music, he seemed
indeed an ideal oratorio artist. Mr.. Will
lam Fl Rieger's dignifed manner and the
pure quality of his voice made him also
favorite. His last solo was one of the
best rendered numbers of the evening
Miss Clementine DeVere is a talented ar
tiste, but is at a disadvantage in oratorio
work. In church and in ballad music she
has few equals in this country,
but her singing last even
ing was disappointing. Miss Olive
Fremstadt stands an excellent chance of
becoming the contralto of this country
Possessed of a wonderfully melodious
voice, faultless method-or rather no
method at all, for she sings as naturally
as a bird-and charming stage presence,
it will be strange indeed if she does not
secure permanent place in tn very first
rank of the vocalists of this country
OF Mr.. Agramonte and his chorus it may
be said that their work was meritorious,
although by no means perfection. Some
of the ENTHUSIASTICALLY the double
qusrtette-wers simply ruined by the un-
warrantably rapid tempt. This fault
deprived the music of the dignity
| which should always characterize it. The
gems of the evening were the trio Lift
Thine Eyes" Mr.. Heinrich's solo SIS Not
His Word Like Fret" and the ever beau
| tiful 80 Rest in the Lord, )" in which Miss
Fremstadt won the greatest applause of
| the evening. The orchestra was excellent,
| especially Mr.. Victor Herbert, whose cello
| playing added not little to the pleasure
/ of the evening and the success of the pro-
| duction. His obligsto to Mr.. Heinrich's
solo sit is Enough" was a revelation.
| The success of elijah" can mean but
one thing-the production of THE Mes
| siah" next season.
| The boxes at the concert were occupied
| by the following people: Mrs. Edward j..
Phelps, Mrs. c. s. DeForest, Mr.. and Mrs
W. w. Farnam, Mr.. and Mrs. Eli Whit
ney, jr., Mr.. and Mrs. Henry w. Farnam,
Mrs. S. II. Chapman, Mira and Miss Kings
ley, Mr.. and Mrs. w. B. Fem, Miss vir-
ginis K. Johnston, Mr.. and Miss Fisher,
Mr.. 81. Grant Thompson, Mrs. and Miss
Jay, Miss Alice Walker, Mr.. Wordsworth
bridge Riley, Misses White, Mrs. Hen
derson, Mr.. auckland, Mr.. and Mrs. F. @.
Porter, Miss Roberts, Professor and Mrs.
Bergum, Colonel Morgan and party, Miss
Hazlet. Among those noticed in the audi
ence last evening were Miss Justine Inger.
soil, Max Dessauer, Henry Sargent, Edward
Heston, George w. Curtiss and wife,
Charles Curtiss and wife, II. L.
Hotchkiss. DR.. Winchell and wife
Il. Webster Stow, N. F. Fields, Mr.. S. R.
Ford, Alfred Harlan and Horace Weed OF
Stamford, Professor Bonney and wife, T
G. Shepard and wife, Pierce n. WEIGH
Professor Wehner, DIR. E. S. Gaylord and
wife, Burton Mansfield. DIR. William
J. Dsggett, z. s. Wheeler, Pro
fessor Chandler, /. Freedman and wife
s. B. Shoninger, DR.. Ring, DIR. Ehni, An
drew w. DeForest, Prof. +. A. Fowler, NJ
A. Borden, L. W. cleveland.
Mr.. Emil Agramonte, the conductor
was presented with a beautiful wreatl
made of orange leaves and red roses, orna
1 mented with red ribbon from which wa
4 cd l,acy INT a al la Il