The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-12-24
CONDUCTOR JORDAN.

teristic the world has for many gener-
ations owed the gift of the Creates
musical composition OF any age. Hav-
den's "Creation" and Mendelssohn's
"St. Paul' have been awarded an inn
portant place in the history Of sacred
composition. but for grandeur OF theme
and marvellous powers OF Interpretation
the orator., of the Messiah" has been
universal Y accorded the first place among
all sacred COMPOSITIONS Handel himself
declared it to be the work OF inspiration
of which he was merely an agent,
ment OF the world has placed
second in the rank OF sacred c,mposers.
affirmed that the messiah" was the
pattern and inspiration. of his famous
"Creation." G eat az was Mendelsshon,
he also maintained that the greatest Of
his own compositions were but faint en-
ulalions OF The marvellous work OF the
pioneer musician.
Few peop @ can appreciate the true
beauty OF :he Messiah" on hearing IL
rendered for the first time. It's scope is
too vast, its glorious inspiration too
evening Like theLgyorks of Shakspere,
new revelations are presented at each
successive study. To many who heard
its masterful rendition last night 1t was
not new in the abstract, but il is safe
to say it unfolded new beauties never
DeIOfe rchilZeu. NO Dhlus was bpHTel Dy
the Arion Club to present every feature
of the grand work in the clearest light OF
a perfect Interpretation. The soloists
engaged for the occasion represented
some of Americas most fImous talent.
The noble chorus OF 800 voices were
trained with assiduous care.
The audience that assembled in Infan-
try Hall last niSht knows we'll what the
Arion Cub is capable of doing, and their
confidence was not misplaced. From the
first note of the orchestra to the last
strain of the beautiful chorus, blessing
aud Honor" the entire hall sat spell
bound. Toe soloists, Miss Emma Juch,
Miss M. Gertrude Edmapds, William
Dennison and Max Heinrich are too we'll
known TO the music-loving public To
leave any room for doubt as Co the inter-
probation Of the grand solo pass ages.
Taken altogether. Handel has some
what subordinateG the tenor, but the
beautiful opening solo, Comfort We my
p.ople," sustained by the accompaniment
bearing the theme "Jov to the World"
which has found its way into every hymn
book in the Christian world, is sufficient
compensation even IL not another line
had been added To the work One of the
greatest beauties of the Messiah" is the
faithful adaptation of the music to the
words. There Is not line in the entire
work but WHIT Is SO perfectly adapted to
the theme that one could almost repro
duce the words from the music. So when
the words " Comfort ye my people" filed
the hall in the tender, pititul strains
that only the genius OF Handel could
have conceived, one could instictively
feel the sorrow aud desolation of Jeru-
salem and the wall OF reviviug hope that,
her warfare accomplished her in
iquity is now pardoned."
Mr.. Denhisou sustained his part in ex-
cellent form, his clear, resonant voice be-
ing especially adapted TO the peans of
Jerusalem exultant,as well as the discon-
ISOLATE nail Of Jerusalem repentaut aud
ehasteued. Tins opening recitative is
one OF the sweetest and most inspiring
OF the tenor parts.
Then comes the sum mary of the prom
Use TO an Ubiquitous, but r,penta Q,
world, "Ihs glory OF the l. ird shall be
revealed" The effectiveness OF the
chorus OF $50 voices anu the careful train
Ing tha IL lad been given was rendered
most apparent in this first chorus.
The exquisite baritone recItative, Thus
saItn the Lord of Hosts" the prop lecy
OF the iuture reign of a Redeemer was
rendered by Max Heinrich with spirit
aud pathos that held the entire aud ience
spell-bound. II will Shake the Heaveus
aud the K ,rth," saith the LORD: ''rhe
Lord whom ". seek shall suddenly come
10 nis temple"
Then the world is given the secret OF
the scheme OF Redemption "Behold "A
Virgin shall conceive and bear Son,
aud shall call his mans Emmanuel, Goa
with u.s. The voice VI Miss Edmands Is
peculiarly ada yted TO the parts which she
sus aimed. Her clear even contralto,
while not possessing unusdal strength is
% mellow aud 50 thoroughly moduiated
that II hlled every crevlce of the vast hall.
The enthusiastic applause with which her
every appearance vas greeted showed
plainly tue place that sue holds ia the
cOnt ience and affection OF the music low
ing world.
Zoo much cannot be said In praise of
the beautrfut chorus, %, Thou That
Telltst Good Tidings g. on" With the
exception OF the grand usllelujah IL II
uusurpsssd. Tue force aud beauty Of
the acc impairment is exquisitely brought
out here aud the thorough training of
the chorus was plsinly apparent
TIE appearance Of Miss Emma Juch
just before the chorus "Unto Us ~ Child