Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-04-02
THE CHORAL SOCIETY.
A Decision Not to Give "SamsOn and
Delilah" This Season.

n
Delilah" This Season.
The Choral Society has concluded that
1t will be impossible to give Samson and
Delilah" this season. Some months ago it
was arranged, through Mr.. Wolfsohn, that
Miss Clary. Mr.. Guile, Mr.. Emil Fischer
and Mr.. Merrill Hopkinson were to be Sc
cured as soloists for the Choral Society
for Saint Saens' oratorio, the date then
being fixed on April II. It has been re-
Gently ascertalned that neither Mr. Guile
nor Mr.. Fischer can be obtained under
any circumstances. the formers time being
monopolized by the Tavary Opera Com
pany, while the latter is under contract
with the German Opera Company under
the direction of Mr.. Walter Damrosch. AS
Sampson and Delilah' requires the &C.
compartment Of large orchestra effort
was made to obtain the Metropolitan Opera
House Orchestra, but that organization
could not come here until the 9Th Of May.
The society would have given the oratorio
even at that late date had there been
SUFFICIENT response to the call of the board
OF directors for guarantee fund asked for
to secure the society against loss. Circu-
lars were sent out to the active and honor
airy membership. setting forth the expense
that would be involved in the production
of this oratorio and an appeal was made
for a fund of $1,000. 1t was believed that
this amount would be readily subscribed
to aid an organization that has done so
much to further the cause of music in its
highest and most elevated form in this city.
But the returns did not justify the
anticipation of the board of directors.
The active members of the society did
well and pledged themselves either in cash
or responsibility for tickets to the amount
ship failed to respond, and the sum re-
ceived from them was less than 500. The
total was not sufficient in the estimation of
the board of directors to justify attempt
n ft,av fsrv, -
much expense and SO it was decided to
postpone giving Samson and Delilah" I'M
til next season. There was some discus
sion as to the giving of another concert
and repeating some Of the works that the
society has already presented, but this
plan was finally abandoned and report
was made to the society last night that
rehearsals be continued during this month,
but that no more concerts be given this
season Those who still hold coupons on
honorary membership car have them re-
deemed In cash or they can be held until
Samson and Delilah" is given next year
and then used. This report was adopted
by the society and no more concerts will
be given this season. The attendance last
night was quite large and the work, under
the direction of Dr.. Harry e. Sherman.
has already required the good feeling and
hearty cooperation of the force under his
control. and has given to the rehearsals
an increasing interest. The decision of
having more concerts would have
dampenirg effect upon a less thorough
musician, but DR.. Sherman puts as much
industry and energy into his work as If
there were definite object in view this
season. 1t is his plan 10 give Samson and
Delilah' sometime in February next, with
the Boston Symphony Orchestra as the
accompaniment if date can be arranged
to follow one of the concerts of that
ganization in this city. The first oratorio
to be given by the society next season will
be THE Messiah" which will, as usual be
presented during the Christmas holidays.