Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-05-30
RETURNED
THE WEDNESDAY CLUB CONCERT
n "rahd Artistic and Financial Success
The Special He afures


Richmond achieved last evaoino on, %
the most artistic triumphs in its musical
history The occasion was a most notable
one being the first concert of the We'd
nesday Club, and attracted a large and
appreciative audience that filled the
Mozart Academy TO overlooking. So much
interest has been felt In this choral So
cIety' so much individual ambition mani
reused so much labor expended upon H.
that IT'S triumphant success IS a matter
Oh congfatulatlOn not to the club alone
but TO the entire community.
rarely has the Academy assumed so
brilliant an aspect as ii did last evening
The house was brilliantly Illuminated.
the stage tastcfuly decorated with palms
ana flowers. and the ladies' of the club
were, with one or two exceptions, gOwned
In white, and many OF them carried hand
some bouquets. Such an audience. too,
as was present is rarely seen in this city.
The majority were I'm evening dress, some
of the ladies appearing in most elaborate
toilets. Society was very much en- evil
dence, and seated here and there among
them were musicians Of reputc, and other
notable persons.
The orchestra. made up from leading
bands OF Washington and Baltimore. did
thoroughly satisfactory work, the over
ture Last Judgment" was played finely,
and the impression left was one Of I'M
alleged satisfaction.
The choruses were very effectively sung,
and showed a marked improvement. even
upon their excellent rendering Of THE
CrucihXion" earlier in the season. The
first number was Praise His Awful
Name from THE Last Julgm mt"
which was given in excellent style Their
phrasing was good and the lights and
shades OF expression were made with
perfect unanimity. I'VE Come in Bright
Array" Judas MaccabaeuD was their
second number and this, too, was well
sung. Mendessohns superb Motel Hear
My Prayer" "A selection from The Cru
citixion," which was enthusiastically re-
demande and Damascus" from "Naa-
man." were all rendered with an artistic
precision, and appreciation Of their char
acteristics that was praiseworthy and
gratifying TO a degree. Seldom was there
| an absence OF confidence, Mr.. Scrivenor
took the chorals at the right place, and
they were one and all rendered in adj
mirable fashion.
Mrs. Gerrit Smith, the soprano, came
as a stranger, but has left a lasting inn
preston on the audience. She has
! clear, Iull, powerful voice. lndI "lliipul
any apparent effort penetrates to the
| farthest parts Of the auditorium. Beau
| tifuI in quality, pure in tone, and fault
| less in intonatiOn, her voice is exceedingly
flexible and her trill Is charming-a very
rare thing, indeed She rendered the So
| prano solos Mighty lie COmeth TO Judg-
ment" cast Judgment, and Hear My
| Prayer" (AlendelssohnJ, and her other Sc
| lections inclueded willamette" (E. d.
| Acaua) ana ''Slumber Song" (Gerrit
| SMITH.
The surprise, nay revelation, OF the
concert however, was Mr.. Ericsson
Bushnell who is one Of the best singers
heard in Richmond for some time. lie
has a beautiful round, full, and thor
| oughly-even bass voice. sings intellgently'
unsteady. and without effort or anecta-
ton. The words could not have been
| more clearly enunciated, nor the music
more artisticaily interpreted. His rem
dering OF the solos 20, Thou sublime
Sweet Evening star Crannhauserl, rear
| Thou Not" and II Know Thy works
| LAST JudgmenU, Bedouin's love SONG
Arm, Arm, lie Brave Judas Macca-
baeusl. ISRAELI" and Tscharkowsky 5
"Serenade," left little or nothing 10 NC
| desired. .t,,
Professor Jacob Reinhardt aconpahieu
with his usual brilllancy and skill. II -
| gratifying TO learn that the concert was
| a big financial success.