The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-04-05
THE ARIoN.

The last concert OF the Arion club for
the season was given at Infantry hall last
night, and the auditorium was packed
with the members aud friends of the
club and lovers Of good music.
verdi's Manzoni requiem mass was
given, in style never surpassed in this
city at least. The soloists were Madam
Nordica, Miss Olive Fremstadt, William
II. Rieger aud Max Heinrich. The
orchestra was under the leadership of
Emil Mollenhauer. as usual, and AS usual
was capably led. Mr.. jordan, as con-
ductor. added to his deservedly high repu-
tation and gave fresh evidence of his
ability to conduct q chorus, as well as
drill it for the best choral work.
This composition OF Verdps is well
known in this city, as everywhere. 1t
has seldom been given n worther pres
entation than was accorded it last night.
The sooists were happily chosen, aud
worked together with that smooth adap-
tation that is not always the result of the
making up of quartets for occasions like
TINS. Nine Nordica was iu splendid
voice and succeeded in giving all the
solo, assigned TO her in such an
admirable manner as to win not
only the applause of the audi
ence but the appreciation of
the most critical. She gave fresh evil
dence of her high quality as an artist,
and added justification for the pride that
the citizens Of this city feel IN her and
her achievements. Miss Fremstadt is
one of the best contra tos that have been
neard here she has powerful and
sweet voice. and it is thoroughly culti-
vated. Messrs. Rieger and Heinrich are
we'll known here. Their qualities'are APP
nreciated more highly eacn time they ap-
pear.
Too much praise cannot be bestowed
,n,n the chorus and its talented con-
auctor aud trainer. Ii appears to be
=, ore ,xcsllent each time 1t sings, and is
In fact more worthy OF being considered
one of the leading orga lizaLions of the
sort I'm the country. Technically, the
work of the chorus last night is open TO
very little criticism. In all tue essentials
of good choral work there was high
deoree of excellence re Iched. The time :,
the attack. the delicacy of the shadin2
and the quick and sympathetic respon Sc
to the conductors baton were the quail
ties that were noticeably prominent, and
mad be N dis inctly Improved upon.
This concert closed the most succ ssful
season the Ariou has experienced. Its
,uture il assured. While no 10 ger ago
than last year the question was of exist
ence. IL is now only as TO the manner Of
exlsleu, @ aud the measure Of the inevita
bte urowth in usefulness To be attained
with every year. The club has now TO
face its gravest crisis. As long as the
proble "A is confined TO struggle for ex-
istence there is no choice. The fight has
20 be maintained for the single purpose
70 support life. When an active aud
virile lie il assured then the question
comes nm. what shall he do, Q vita it2
What does the Arion CLUB now propose
toaoP |, has become one of the perma-
nent ins itutions OF the city. ana IL is
an.werabie for the use 1t makes of the
opportunity IL has won. The club makes
a partial answer to the query itself, even
before there has arisen AN occasion TO
propouud !. IL announces that IL con-
templates an enlargement OF its sphere
| of activity next season. by the increase OF
the uumi or of concerts IL will give and
the establishments o. the Messiah" at
| Christmas "a an annual event
This will perhaps absorb all the ca
pacity OF the club for progress for the
next season. IL would be very gratify-
ing, however. IL the CLUB could see 1 $
way to such broadening g its sphere of
activity as ~ oud inc u ie the promotion
of the musical interests Of the city in a
practical sense. IL is strong enough 20
dominate the taste and control the mu.
sical seasons. IL might. for example. Sc
cure the building OF a music hall worthy
OF the city and adequate TO it's needs.
This is an enterprise that IN sorely
needed. and IL would require but little
encouragement TO induce capitalists to
consider IL seriously. The Arion club