Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-07-20
IN MUSICAL CIRCLES
Mr Rakemann Making Good Progress With
a Symphony Orchestra.
Satisfied That a First-Class OrSanixa.
ton Can Be Assembled--Coming
Changes In Church Choirs.

The work Of assembling a symphony or
chestra in this city, to be composed of the
best professional musicians in the Distric.
Is progressing in good shape, and Prof
Herman c. Rakemann, who has undertaken
Inc task Is satisfied that an orchestra Of
between forty and fifty can be secured
which will be able to furnish accountant
ment for the Choral Society in any oratorio
tnat 1t may see fit to give. II this can be
done 1t will have the effect of keeping
mere the money that the Choral Society
has been for years paying to musicians
from Baltimore and other cities, and will
establish IN tie capital city an orchestra
OF which the people may well be proud
MI Rakemann is peculiarly fitted for the
TASK OF forming this orchestra for he Ia a
young man of great energy, a brilliant
Vioiinist and has developed remarka-
Ole ability as conductor. He has the
confidence of musicians of every CLIQUE,
for he has kept out Of all the entangle-
ments which have caused so much trouble
among players In the District. Mr. Rake
mann Is confident that symphony orches-
IRA can be formed here IL it can be sta rted
WIN the backing of such powerful or
ganizanon as the Choral Society.
w oooy OF musicians is so greatly IN
terested in the formation of such an or
chestra as the Choral Society, for II has
suffered from the incompetency of orches.
tlas which 1t was forced to engage from
orner clues, and would gladly welcome the
existence Of body of local players thar
could perform Its acc ompaniments fin an
emcient manner. Such an orchestra would
n uns prove successful from a bust
mes standpoint. for besides Its engage
ments by the Choral and Similar societies
mere II would be available for other cities,
and could give concerts that would prove
remunerative.
ha nj nf
yet formed for next season, hut IL viii. of
course, give the Messiah somewhere during
tne christmas holidays. Il is also prob
ape that Samson and Delilah will be one
be Elijah. A difficulty is experienced In
the matter OF hall. for the experiences
win Convention Hall last winter AT the
Messiah performance cannot be repeated
~ may De that dates can be arranged al
the New Albaugh Theater. and This mattsr
Is being looked into by a special Committees
II is some time before rehear sals will com
mence, put the directors realize that the
as early as possible, and a good deal of
correspondence is now oeing carried on bv
MI Pfeiner. the chairman Of the finance
committee.
In Boston recently were greatly easad
WIN Mechanics Hail. and wished that a
building of that kind with a hall as sna-
cious' with as good acoustic qualities and
soma
means be erected in this city. That is an
ideal hall for the giving of oratorio with
a large chorus and orchestra
Inc quartet which will commence at St,
andrews Episcopal Church September
VIII be Mrs. Kitty Thompson Berry. So
prano; Miss Eleanor Simonds contraIto.
AR. A. F. Mosher, tenor and Mr. Chas. n
rice, pass. These are excellent individual
SINGERS. and IT is believed that their voices
VIII harmonize well. Mrs. Berry has had
much experience, both as a church and
concert singer, having last year held the
P1sitlon OF leading soprano of st. Aloysius
Baptist Church. and Mr. Rice was at Cal
vary. Miss Simonds is one of the rising
contraltos of the District and has ALWAYS
Seen successful whenever she has had a
nearing. She first sang at DR.. Parson's s
Lutheran Church. then she went to Christ
+. T. Church, Georgetown; then to the
calvary Baptist, and last Dr. Sunder.
lahds Church from the choir of which she
voice rich and sympathetic and is ef-
fective both in solo and concerted work.
she Is besides a member of the PhiIhar.
monte Quartet
favorable impression in Boston during the
christian Endeavor convention by the ex.
ceilent manner in which he PLAYED ths
eornet leading the singing in Mechanics
nan and In the big tents. 1t is understood
That he may go to the conservatory In that
city to perfect himself in the playing OF
that instrument or in the cultivation al
his fine bass voice. His musical friends
while they appreciate his cornet piavtnc
hope that he will prefer to bring out the
splendid possibilities of his voice, for
field. 'e e'
Prof. Mariana Mama will again Assam.
the direction of st. Patrick's choir when
the extensive repairs to that church are
completed in the fall. Mrs. Mama has alsc
been engaged as the leading contralto. and
IL Is understood that the other members OF
the quartet, Miss Mattingly. soprano; Mr.
Mcf arland, tenor, and Mr.. Ryan bass will
remain. fine. large organ is to be one of
the improvement in this church. and Miss
Boone Will remain as organist.
Mr. Chas. A. Ellis of Boston will next
season. IN addition to managing the Bos-
ton Symphony Orchestra, conduct the
Melba concert tour He will devote his en-
TIRE time to these two enterprises and will
give up the control of the Boston Music
Hail. He sailed for Europe last Friday on
business connected with Nine. Melba The
company that will support the prima donna
is mol yet determined upon, but it is prob
able that Adamowski, the violinist will go.
Mr.. Hinrichs is having great success with
his opera company In Philadelphia his sea
son closing next week. He saws il is I'M
certain whether he will come to Washing
ton next spring, as the support he received
at his last venture here was not equal to
the outlay. He will attempt grand opera
on great scale in the fall and has already
arranged for a season of forty nights at
the Academy of Music in PHILADELPHIA
This theater Is to be entirely reftted and
put in splendid shape for him. He has al
ready engaged Nine. Nevada and Vignas,
the tenor. and as soon as his season closes
Will go'to Europe to secure additional prin-
cipals.