Evening star., 1894-04-12
THE CHORAL SOCIETY
A Splendid Performance of Haydn's Crea-
tion at Convention Hall.
Large Attendance in Spite of the
Bad Weather-GOOd Work by
SOloists and Chorus.

The Washington Choral Society brought
its eleventh season to a close most aus
piciously last night by an excellent per-
formance of Haydn's Creation" at Con-
vention Hall. The driving storm did not
prevent a good attendance, and the gener-
Gus applause after nearly every number at
te sted the satisfaction of the large audience
at the work done. Next to the Messiah"
the Creation" is probably the best-known
of oratorios, and its beauties of melody, of
chorus numbers and of orchestration were
never better brought out in this city than
last night. There are but three solo parts
III this oratOrio-those for soprano, tenor
ana bass-and these were taken by Miss
Lillian Blauvelt. Mr.. w. H. Reiger and DIR.
Merrill Hopkinson. This was, perhaps, the
most satisfactory cast that the choral So
clety has ever presented Miss Blauvelt
nlade her first appearance in Washington
ana She made a decidedly popular success
as much by her pleasing personality as 10y
her vocal equipment. Her voice is clear
true and we'll cultivated, with a CARRYING
power that easily filled even the large hall
IN which she sang. There were two things
lacking, however, to make a complete ar
tlStic Observation-Disclosures of enunciation
ara the devotional sentiment which is so
essential TO complete Interpretation of
oratorlo music. These, however were not
greatly perceptible to the audience for the
applause she received in every number in
ulcated their qualification at the work
which she did.
Mr. William H. Reiger is unquestionably
the pest tenor oratorio singer that has
Deen heard in this city in many years His
voice Is smooth, even, well trained, and he
teneered tal,o ms tones with feeling and good
was particularly effective, and at it's close
vas rewarded with the most emphatic
App aRplause aus, OF the evening. He is a singer
VINO Will be gladly welcomed to Washington
again. DR.. Merrill Hopkinson had been
neard here before, and the excellence of
MS work is well known. He fully sustained
the good opinion he had created by former
W, .isits mere, ana IN all his work was artis-
tic and effective.
In the solo quartet in the last number
Mrs Herndon Morsell sustained the con-
tralto part effectively, and by the way this
lauy voice, which was once such an ad-
dition to the Boston Ideal Opera Company
has been. too rarely heard in the concert
room in recent years.
The orchestral work was efficiently per-
FORMED by IN" Peabody symphony Orches-
ira or Baltimore, and their task was not an
easy one, for Haydn was essentially an
orchestral composer, and in the score of
the Creation he has given some of his most
Heiodlc euectS. The accomplishments were
all -I.o-1.2 ed with good taste, being a sup
port to the singers, and not at any time
oVerpowering them. The most effective
work by the orchestra was the introduction
ly performed A pipe organ supported ma
terially many of the recitatives, and the
accompanist, Mr.. John p. Lawrence, was
thoroughly satisfactory.
The work of the society itself is desery-
ing only of the highest praise. In precision
of attack, in obedience to the will of the
conductor, in delicacy of shading and in
volume of tone, il was all that could be
desired, and showed concluSively the great
improvement that it has made under it's
present director, Prof. Josef Kaspar. The
development of this society has been
gradual, and each year has shown an i'm
provement over it's work of the previous
season. 1t is now probably the best chorus
of mixed voices that Washington has ever
seen and even greater things may be eX-
pected of ii next year. There seems to be
a perfect harmony of feeling between sing
ers and director. the one recognizing the
Interpretation of the other and striving to
carry 1t out in the most perfect manner.
In the well-knOWn chorus, The Heavens
Are Telling" which is probably better
known than any other chorus. unless il may
be the Hallelujah chorus from The Mes
siah." the society was decidedly at its best.
and could have easily taken an encore from
the enthusiastic applause which followed its
conclusion, had the Iirector so desired. AL
together, Washington has additional reason
to be proud of the Choral Society and 10
give II the strongest announcement for its
future prosperity. Aside from furnishing
entertainment for the cultured and refined,
II has proved an educator to the masses by
OIerlnS tne nlSneSt form OF musical cOmpO-
sition at prices that are within the reach of
those of moderate means. Its aims, how
ever. are still higher. 1t has now under
consideration a project to found home for
all the musical societies of the District, and
to that end its members and board of di-
rectors are bending their energies. 1t is be-
lieved that there is in Washington a suifi-
cient number of wealthy people interested
in the art of music who can be induced to
furnish the necessary means for the estab-
liShment of such a home and those who are
most active in the enterprise are satisfied
that buildinW for that purpose will be
erected in the not distant future. Next
Monday evening the Choral Society will hold
its last meeting for the season, when the re-
suit of the election of last Monday night
will be made known and the names of those
who were chosen 10 be directors for the next
three years will be announced. 1t is ex-
pected that there will be a full attendance
of members, and 1t is probable that the sub
ject of musical home will be brought up
and discussed.