The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-02-17
A GREAT SUCCESS.
The First Grand Concert ofthe Festiva
Week.

The speaker briefly touched upon the
work undertaken by the festival committee,
Of which he is chairman and, in conclusion,
said that he hoped and believed his COM
mittes would deserve the congratulations
Of the audience
There were many who hoped
and sympathized, but there were
very few who dared to expect such an IN
qualified success as after ward TRANSFERRED
The public rehearsal, which took place in
the afternoon, only brought out about two
thirds OF the singers, many OF the male
members OF the chorus being detained by
business engagements. But DR.. Palmer is
not the man 20 be discouraged, and in spite
Of adverse circumstances, rose above the
occa ion and put his choir through drill
which was both instructive and interesting
The first surprise OF the concert which
greeted the public was the beautiful pict-
ure presented by the brilliant
evening costumes Of the ladies
in the chorus. The seats were
arranged in tiers. the ladies occupying the
center and the tenOrs and BASES framing
in the picture as it were with the black
and white of their evening suits. The stage
had been greatly enlarged, and the size of
the chorus exceeded the most sanguine ex-
pectations. In addition to the choir, there
was an orchestra of sixteen pieces. made up
of leading players. both amateur and pro-
fessional, who had volunteered for the &C
CasOn. -
The programme was divided into three
parts, the first consisting of a short choral
work entitled "Galha," by Charles Gounod,
the author of the opera Faust IL con-
ssts of two choruses and solos for soprano,
the text being taken from Lamentations.
The composition is rather popular IN form,
but is worked up very skillfully with excel
lent climaxes, the final chorus DeIug
especially souorous and taking.
The chorus had not sung two phrases
when it was apparent that new experience
was at hand for tue music lovers of Savau-
nah. Never since the days of the old Mozart
Society has chorus singing of q like char
acter been heard in the city. The attack
was quite exact the tone quality good and
the shading surprisingly varied. considering
the very short time which has been devoted
to the rehearsals. " hen it is known that
the practice only began last Monday night.
and that many of the singers not ouly had
never sung any of the works, but did not
consider themselves sight readers" tine
wonderful results attained by the skill, en-
ergy and magnetism Of DR.. Palmer can be
appreciated.
Miss Isabelle Lazaron was the soloist of
the "Gallie," and her flexible, well-culJured
voice was heard to very good advantage.
The range of her work was extended, and
she took her high in the final solo with
good information and considerable power;
and as the final phrase, Jerusalem, o,
turn thee to the Lo=i thy Cod" died away
there came a hearty burst OF applause
which gave the cue for repeated and en-
thusiastic encores during the whole even
ing.
The second part Of the programme opened
with chorus, Light and Gay,n based upon
the well-known Faust" waltz. This was
lightly and tastefully sung. The orchestra
was unfortunately so badly placed as not to
be able 10 see the conductor when the chorus
was standing, and was consequently some-
what out Of tune in this number.
By request of those familiar with his
work, DR.. Palmer gave chorus illustration
Of what can be done in good psalmody by a
trained choir. and the examples, especially
the GENTLY Now, the Light of Day" were
sung with fine appreciation of the meaning
Of words and music, and with excellent
shading. Perhaps the most generally pleas
ing chorus number was the imitation of
male chorus effect, the sopranos and
altos giving the tenor part
an octave below their usual
range. The first part of this number was the
well-known SOLDIERS Farewell, " and was
followed by Hullah's glee, '''Tas On a
Bank Of Daisies Sweet" This was so
daintiIy and effectively sung as TO call out
a spontaneous encore-an unsual compli-
ment to q chorus.
The work Of the choir ended with the
great and always welcome Hallelujah
chorus from the messiah" The audience
followed the custom of rising during this
number, and as the majestic harmonies of
this classic sounded through the hall it was
difficult TO remember that week ago there
was no body of singers IN Savannah capable
Of producing anything at all comparable to
the massive and withal refined tone effect
to which all were listening with rapt aud
joyous attention. OF course the chief in-
terest of the occasion conferred in the sing
ing of the festival chorus, but the pro-
gramme was varied and its interest greatly
enhanced by solo work of a high character.
A number of prominent soloists from
Macon, have come down for the occasion.
Mrs. Williams, one Of the vocal teachers at
the Wesleyan college, who has a soprano
voice OF good range aud very pleasant
quality contributed two numbers The fret
was the popular Com bello by Donnizetti,
and the horid requirements of the number
we're well met by highly cultivated voice.
Mrs. Williams was warmly encored and
responded with the Schubert Serenade.
Miss Grier, also from the Wesleyan, and a
young pianist OF good ability gave taste
full performance of Raff's "Fantasie Polo
naise." She was also recalled and responded
with Scarf Dance by Miss Chaminade,
which was played with great delicacy and
pleased every one immensely.
The other soloists of the evening were
Miss Minnie Schwarz and Mr.. Julian Wal
ker. The former is a comparative
stranger, not having been much
heard in public here. She has
a mezzo,soprano voice of very bright clear
timbre, especially pleasing in the upper
register. She has been well schooled IN the
modern German method, and sings with
considerable breadth and real musicianly
appreciation of her authors meaning
She sang Jensen's "Murmeludes Luftchen
Bluchenwind" exceptionally well and re
sponded gracefully to a warm encore with
a dainty ballad, short and sweet. 1t is
hoped that Miss SchwRrz may be heard
often in future.
Mr.. Walker is such an established favor
ite with the Savannah public that it seems
superhuous to say that he was most warmly
greeted. As often as Mr.. Walker has sung
it is doubted whether many people really
appreciate how rare gift he possesses in
his voice, which has an emotional
quality rarely heard in such de-
gree He is likewise gifted with
an artistic temperament, and his singing of
the great song Of Paderewski, az Leave NV
Love Forever" heard for the first time here.
would have been a credit to singers Of far
greater reputation He also sang Rubin
STEMS "Yearnings" with more dramatic
force than of yOre, and responded to an
overwhelming encore with Dudley Bucks
"Come Where the Lindens Bloom"
The Sanctus from Gounod's Cecilia Mass,