The daily morning journal and courier., 1895-04-25
eOUNoD'S EINAE REHEARSAL.:
All Ready for the Grand Musical Event at
 the Hyperion.

l the Hyperion.
 Tn final rehearsal of "St. Paul' last
 evening disclosed the fact that as afr
 as the chorus is concerned everything
 is in complete readiness for the grand
 performances at the Hyperion to-mor-
 row afternoon and evening. MT. Agra
 monte was at the helm and when at
 7:50 he raised his baton for the first chorus every member of the society | apparently was on deck ready for the fray. Prefacing the work of the even-
 ing Mir Agramonte made a few admon-
 ishing remarks and especially warned
 the chorus against "too much impetu-
 osfty" T want you to sing with won
 derful foree and strength, but you
 must learn to hold your horses and | exhibit a rare amount of reserved strength" was his idea, although not
 his exact language; 1t would be irn-
 possible to do justice to this in it's
 quaint broken English. The chorus
 listen intensely to the direction he
 gives and follow them implicitly It Is
 quite interesting to note the magnetic
 grip Agramonte has over his forces.
 He makes them reproduce every shade
 of emotion desired, imparting dra-
 matlc coloring that is extraordinary
 and quite unusual in such large bodies
 of singers.
 Nowhere does the true grandeur of
 Mendelssohn's genius strike the musi-
 elan more than in the choruses of this
 great oratorio The arias are all beau
 tiful, filled with sweetness and light and melody that captivates every ear;
 and so the recita lives many of them are packed full of wondrous dramatic f1re,and in the hands of great artists like
 Davies Mills and Walker can stir the quietest nerves. But it is the choruses that move with graphic and over whelming force. How majestic is the opening one 'Dord, Thou Alone Art God" followed immediately by the serene contrasting chorale, "To God on High Be Thanks and Praise" Then comes that subdued murmuring of the multitude, "Take Him Away" gradu- ally growing louder and more turbu- lent, For New the Holy Name of God He Hath Blasphemed," and end- ing with the fierce cry, 'He Shall Per ishp' But soon the climax of the rab- bIG 10 IGdCliGO III lllttI l6IIlDlG OQIOuTSJ of popular fury, Stone Him to Death! Stone Him to Death!' This short chorus is justly considered one of the most stupendous pieces of dramatic writing in all oratorio. If the Gounod society sing 1t tomorrow night as they did at the rehearsal last evening it should produce a. thrilling effect The beautiful chorales are constantly in- troduced by Mendelssohn for the pur- poses of rest and contrast. They are general of a sweet, deep, heartfelt character, but occasionally break forth into surpassing splendor. like Sleep CTS, Wake, a Voice Is Calling with its flashing trumpet interludes and the full power of the entire orchestra. This number Is one of the magnificent illus trations of Mendelssohn's lofty genius Other inspiring numbers. are the ex- ceeding1y tender and spiritual Happy and Blest Are They Who Have En- dured," after the death of Stephen; and the immortal and familiar "How Lovely Are the Messengers" in the l second part. The latter has melody 1 which at once captivates and haunts | every listener. In still another vein | and very dramatic are the two Greek | choruses, "The Gods as Mortals Have and 70 Be Gracious, Ye | sensuous and full of en- ticlng melody. Tn fact, the whole ora torio Is of absorbing interest, is mag | orchestrated and cannot fail | Of a wonderful success The society l sustained itself nobly last evening and | sang with the precision and steadiness of a machine.
 The few invited spectators present, number of prominent musicians and representatives of the press were delighted with the results shown and warmly congratulated Mir Agramonte. One of these, who is well known throughout New England and In New York as a fine critic and said: "This is one of the best choruses that 1 have ever heard, outside of Boston; and I have had .he opportunity of hearing most of the important ones in the east" The Bos- on Festival orchestra, forty-five men, md all the soloists will arrive tonight " late train. There will be an orches- ral rehearsal-not with the chorus tomorrow morning at the Hyperion. The matinee will begin promptly at 2 ''clock.
 With the greatest of living tenors, Ben Davies, Mrs. Patrick Walker, Bos- on's favorite soprano, Watkins Mills, lot surpassed as baritone singer ,ither in Europe or America, and Miss Stein, all secured as so1oists, it will ,e seen that no one can afford to miss his greatest musical festival New Ha- ven has ever seen. MT. Harry B. Jep- on will preside at the organ.
 There will be a large out of town ontingent present at both perform .nces.
 Those intending to go should secure i eats at once. There are still a few |, xceHent ones left. The top gallery eats are now being reserved at $1