Morning journal and courier., 1894-03-14
AmEmoRAnLE ooNCEnT.

A NAnNAVAeAADAA - - OSSASO"ASAs The Messiah,, Nobly sung Yesterday by the Gouuod S0cIety-Excellent Work of the Chorus-Signor Agra. montess Fine Leadership-Ben Da. vies, the Tenor, Scores a Great Hit | Ericsson Bushnell's Success-miss | Blauvelt and Miss Clary Also Carry | or Honors-Meritorio Work of the Germania Orchestra-Large and Appreciative Audiences.
 "Ths Messiah" ss given yesterday by the 3ounod society will be handed down in he musical history of New Haven as ono ,f the most memorable and artistic con- ,erts ever given in this city. The fame of this society sold the entire house many Jays before yesterdays concert, and the Hyperion was never filled with such large audience for . public rehearsal as yester- day. In the evening standing room wss sought for. At both performances there were large parties from Ansonia, Bridge port, Waterbury, South Norwalk, Meriden and many other places. A large number of New Workers were present ct the even Ing performance.
 The stage was fitted with 8 terraced plat form. which was occupied by the members of the chorus. In front of this platform the orchestra sat, and in front of the latter the soloists. Signor Agramonte stood up- chorus presented pretty sight, two hun dred and fifty strong, last evening. The ladies were all attired in white and the gentlemen in full evening dress, the con- trast being indeed striking. During the afternoon performance the ladies of the chorus removed their hats, the first time this custom was ever observed at matinee by this society.
 That the chorus did excellent work, Is but saying what they justly have earned and deserved by their singing at both the rehearsal and evening performance. It is seldom that such @ quality and we'll balanced tone, is ever heard from the soprano voices of chorus of such size. It sounded like one voice, and the clear ness of tone was remarkable. The altos, were perhaps the weakest part, but the quality of tone was rich and full. The tenors carried off equal honors with the sopranos. They were firm and steady in both the lower and upper registers. The bassos did some excellent work, and in some of the most telling numbers, the full ness and richness of their tones was re- markable.
 The first chorus, .'And the Glory of the Lord," was rendered in 8 manner above criticism. In this number the parts were equally balanced and the attacks were firm and executed with telling effect 70, Thou That Tellest Good Tidings" DOT trayed the brightness of tone and volume excellently. "For Unto Us Is Child Born" Is perhaps one of the most difficult chorus es in "rhe Messiah" It abounds in ca denzas and lengthy phrases. But under the skillful baton of Signor Agramonte it taste. In the closing part of the chorus, the forte passages were heroically attacked and portrayed most wonderful quality of tone. "His Yoke is Easy" Is another of she difficult choruses, and with the assist ance of the soloists the legato movements were in perfect accord with Signor Agra monte's will. This ended the first part and 8 short intermission of about ten min utes followed.
 Part the second opened with most diff fcult chorus, 'Behold the Lamb of God |" difficult for both sopranos and tsncrs on account of the sustained upper tones, and in this number there is usually @ slight fsttening at times, but this was finely overcome. ''Surely He Hath Borne Our Griefs" was rendered in mastsrly style, the volume of tone beng most massive in the heavy passages, and the shading from the forte parts to the pianissimo passages was excellently executed. The chorus, "All We Like Sheep Have Gone Astray," was rendered with vim and firmness which brought forth spontaneous applause at it's close. "Lift Up Your Heads, o Ye Gates" |" was nicely sung, the parts being we'll ren- dered throughout.
 AS the first few bars of the prelude to the world-fsmed "Hsllelujah Chorus" broke upon the air the audience, like as one person, arose from their seats and re- mained standing until the close of this number. It was an inspiring spectacle to look upon, and together with the inspir- ing strains of this chorus left an impres- sion deep in the hearts of all those who heard 1t. The chorus in this number showed what marvellous power of tone they possessed, and as the last 'HalIelu- jah" was sung deafsning aPplause filled choruses, "Worthy Is the Lamb" and "Amens," were admirably rendered.
 The chorus, at both the public rehearsal and evening performance, sang as they have never sang in this city before, and they have honestly gained another and larger laurel wreath of victory for the two excellent performances of yesterday. Sig. Agramonte, under whose skillful and artistic baton the chorus followed, had just reason to be proud of the Gounod so- ciety, and they in turn have cause to hono1 and dearly love the man through whose untiring efforts yesterdays successes were achieved.
 The soloists this year were by far the finest array of artists that have ever sung in any of the Gounod concerts. MT. Ben Davies, the famous English tenor, made his first appearance on an American stage yes- terday afternoon, and his singing was eagerly awaited by all. He possesses 6 pure tenor voice of wonderful power, range and quality. His first recitative and aria, with a fervor and style that has never been heard in this city before, and at the close of this selection MT. Davies was greeted with vigorous and continued applause. The recitatsve and aria, "Behold and See If There Be Any Sorrow" was rendered beautifully, the piano passages being most subduedly but clearly rendered, and brought forth well msrited applause. His wonderful voice was next heard in that most difficult. aria, "Thou Shalt Break Them" It was rendered by MT. Davies in a manner above criticism and rounds of applause greeted the masterly work of MT. Davies. He came to this country with the reputation of an artist and goes away leaving the impression of fine artist and @ man.
 Miss Blauvelt, the soprano, more than satisfied her critical listeners. She has q soprano voice of remarkable strength and magnstism. sR@joics Greatly, o Daugh- ter of Zton," was rendered In @ perfectly artistic manner. But her success was made in the aria, "Come Unto Him, which was sung in subdued and fervent man. ner, which csptivated all. She received hearty applause after both numbers. ''I Know That My Rsdsemer Liveth" was we'll rendered and brought forth vigorous applause.
 Miss Mary Louise Clary, who sang tSe contralto solo parts, made decided hit yesterday. She is the possessor of a full, round, and rich voice of immense power and range. The upper register is clear and penetrating, the lower tones open and rich in color. Her rendition of 70, Thou That Tellest Good Tidings to Zion" was overwhelmingly received. Equally artistic was the air "He Shall Feed His Flock. " Miss Clary portrayed the wonderful artist that she really Is in the we'll known solo, "He Was Despised and Rejected" The fervor and passion with which she i'm bued this number made it fall with telling effect upon the house. Loud and vigorous applause followed this artistic effort.
 New Haven has reason to be proud and claim Ericsson Bushell as one of our local artists. His singing yesterday afternoon and evening was . revelation to those who had not heard him lately. His voice is wonderfully strong and rich in the upnar