Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-03-11
IN MUSICAL CIRCLES
"Coronet and Coin" to Be Given for the
0hildran's Country Home
A New Comic Opera by Local Compos-
ers-The Choral Soeiety's New
Musical Director-Notes.

"Coronet and Coin" the new comic opera,
by Messrs. Fort, Hub Smith and Macleod,
will receive its first presentation on any
stage at the Academy Of Music on April
%. The piece is being actively rehearsed
| under the personal supervision Of the Ii
brettist and composers, and both cast and
chorus are enthusiastic over the prospects
fo- successful outcome of their iabors.
The opera Is to be given for the benefit
of the Children's Country Home, a most
deserving charity, instituted and managed
by number of our society young women.
Starting less than six years ago. these en-
ergetic young people have succeeded in
building and maintaining a comfortable
house a few miles from the city. where
they give from three to five hundred poor
children Of Washington an outing of from
two to five weeks each year.
1t is now proposed to erect an addition
to the present building, in order to give
accommodation for larger number Of de-
serving youngsters during the coming sum
mer. and it is hoped that the amount real
lied from the presentation of "Coronet
and Coin will he sufficient to enable the
managers to carry out their praiseworthy
plan.
The principal characters in the opera will
he essayed by Mrs. Kitty Thompson Berry.
Mr.. Herndon Morsell, Miss Florence Grigg,
Mrs. Burns, Mr.. Dave Bangs, Mr.. George
OConnor, Mr.. Mills Thompson and Mr..
Fox.
The experiment of the Choral Society of
giving oratorio with local soloists, as was
illustrated in the two performances of
Gounods Redemption at the Congrega-
tional Church last week. was in the main
a success. There were too many SoloiStS
selected, but the idea of the committee
was to give as many members of the soci-
ETY. as possible an opportunity to do solo
work. The next time such selections are
| made the examination will undoubtedly be
more rigid and fewer will come up to the
standard. But those who did appear as
all are entitled to credit. Those who ap-
peared on the first night were at a disad-
vantage, for they had to set the pace, and
then, too, 1t was more difficult singing with
an organ thar with an orchestra. But the
first night soloists disclosed better voices
than those who followed them. although
the set for the second night had the advan-
tage of the experience and observation of
the night before and the greater confidence
that comes with second performance.
The society never did better chorus work
than in the Redemption" The grandeur
and devotional character Of the music was
brought out in it's fullest extent, and the
volume of tone was such as to inspire the
audience to the most enthusiastic applause.
All this excellent work vas due to the
earnest, constant and Intelligent work of
the musical director, Prof. josef Kaspar.
He submitted his resignation for the rea-
son that he feels that he is not physically
able to go through with the task of train
ing the society for proper representation
of Samson and Delilah" this season. Pc
titions were numerousiy signed by both the
ladies arr gentlemen of the society urg-
ing that he reconsider his resignation, for
a very large majority of the society feel
that Prof. Kaspar has been the best mu-
steal director that they have ever had, and
deeply regret that the pleasant relations
hal ho owl w
years should be severed. Prof. Kaspar,
however, felt that he absolutely needed the
rest, and that his health would not justify
a longer service at this time, and would
not change his action.
At a meeting of the board of directors
Friday night Prof. Kaspar's resignation was
man was elected musical director for the
remainder of the present season.
While it is not definitely determined that
Samson and Delilah" shall be presented
this season. the indications are that Saint
Saen's oratorio will be given on April 20,
at Convention Hall If the undertaking is
made it Is contemplated to secure the ser
vices of the New York Metropolitan Opera
House Orchestra and Miss Clary, Messrs
Guile, Hopkinson and Fischer as Soloists.
involving an expenditure of about $1,000.
The board of directors do not feel author
lied to assume such a responsibility with
out guarantee fund of at least 81 900.
The members of the society have come for
ward in good numbers to supply that sum,
orary me nbership, which 1t is believed Will
be very generally responded to. The ma
jority of the society favor the employment
of extra eXertioD in order to give this ora
torio, although there are some who think
it would be better to close the season with
sure balance on the right side of the
ledger than to the risk of loss and
debt in an attempt to bring the season to
a brilliant close.
The soloists at 1.-The Redemption" will
receive their honorarium at the meeting of
the society tonight
MIR. Anton, kaSpar. the young violinfst,
will shortly give recital, prior to his de-
parture for Europe. He intends spending
several years in Vienna and Paris under
the greatest masters. Mr.. Kaspar is now
one of the foremost vioinists of Washing
ton, having received that strict and
thorough method from his brother, Prof.
Josef Kaspar, which made Miss Leonora
Won stosch attract much attention in
Europe, and finally assisted her in winning
the first prize. with the highest honors,
over numerous competitors at the Con-
servatory of Brussels.
Next Saturday the first concert of the
Washington String Orchestra, of which
Mr.. Ernest Lent is conductor, will take
place at the Universalist Church. This or
ganization was only formed the early part
of the season, but 1t has some excellent
material, and has already proved at re-
hearsa,s that it can do good work. Its
composition is as follows: Violins Mrs.
Brown Misses Daisy Hickox, Pauline Ise-
ents. Annie Craighton. Mary Cook, Louise
Carson, Maud Small. Florence Morrill,,
Belle Cannon, Katharine Bradford, Anna
Endicott, Jeanette Baum, Ethel Sigsbee.
Anna Davidse Daisy Dyer, Alma II. viii
son. Clara L. Rowell, Ella A. Knight,
Messrs. Lee Crandall, c. w. Curtis, ].
F'ipckel w. E. Green, Z. B. Amiss, jr,
VIM. z. Holcomb, H. p. Boyle. John Alden,
Walter Blount; violas, Misses Maud Sewan,
Phoebe Holmes. Messrs. Robt. C. Stearns,
G. X. Finckel, W. H. Burr; violoncellos,
Misses Minnie Schott. Amia like, Messrs.
z. A. Knorr, Paul Finckel. Julius like;
double BASES, Ben Isemsnn and l.. B.andt,
planes, Misses Katie Anderson, Anna Nc
Combe. Dalzie Hammer, Nellie Beedy Otis
Townsend, Maud Bethel, Rebecca Chand-
lee, Emily P. Kemp and Bessie Holccmb
The club will be assisted by Mrs. E. z.
Perkins. soprano, and Mr.. John Porter
Lawrence, pianist.
Mr.. H. G. Meem, who is already acGuir-
ing quite a reputation as a bass singer of
good ability, sang the offertory at the
Church of st. Michael's and All Angels
at the service last evening.
The sacred concert and testimonial bene-
fit to the Tuxedo Mandolin and Guitar
Quartet Sunday evening, March II, prom
ises to be one of the best musical enter
tainments that the Academy Of Music has
ever presented. Part of the talent has been