Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-03-06
AMUsEMEsrs.

lie presentation IN this city last evening
by the Washington Choral Society at the
Congregational Church. 1t Is peculiarly
appropriate composition for the Lenten
season, and the large audience present at
once recognized it's beauties and the good
work of the society. The choruses are not
SO numerous as in some oratorios. but they
are written in the NEST lofty and devotion
al spirit and appeal strongly to. the better
part of ones nature. The absence Of an
orchestra was felt, for Gounod has in the
score much effective work for such a body
Of musicians, but Mr.. John Porter Law
renee, who presided at the organ, did his
best to atone for the deficiency. 1t was a
task Of extreme difficulty, and that it was
satisfactorily performed was tribute to
his ability as a musician and his technical
skill as an organist. In some of the heav-
Ter choruses the. organ was reinforced by
grand piano. played by Mrs. ]. S. Thomas.
The work of the society was highly conf
mendable and bore excellent testimony to
the intelligent training that had been given
the members by the musical director, Prof.
Josef Kaspar. The membership was out
in full force, numbering nearly three hun
dred. and the parts were very well balanc-
ed The male voices came out better than
usual and several times they had an op-
portuntty Of being heard by themselves,
and although separated by the width of the
platform the tenors and BASES kept we'll
together. The society never did more in
spiriEg work. the character of the music
and the place of the performance both con-
tributing to this result. That the devo-
tional sentiment of the oratorio was recog-
nized was evidenced by the large attend
ance and that the work of the society was
appreciated the applause that followed each
chorus fully testified. Particular attention
should be drawn to the chorals of 1.-THE
PASSOVER" THE Pentecost" and unfold
fe the Portals Everlasting" Additional
interest was given to the performance of
The Redemption" from the fact that the
solofsts were all local singers. While it
was not expected that these would equal
some OF the professionals that have sung
with the society, still they all acquitted
themselves creditably and are entitled to
a good measure of praise. Miss Blanche
Mattingly sang I'VE Mountains" effectively,
although the recitative with which it COM
menced was not well delivered, and Miss
Mamie Donnelly's solo was happily given.
Miss Mary Helen Howe sang difficult
solo, with chorus accompaniment, and
I ner voice came out clear and dis
Corby. Blanche Rueckert and laura
Zeh. Miss Corby's while My Watch
l Am Keeping" and Miss Rueckert's angel
SOLO We're commendable efforts. OF the
male voices those of Mr.. W. D. Mcfarland,
tenor, whose enunciation was remarkably
distinct, and Mr.. Henry NJ. Paul, bass,
whose delivery was unusually impassioned
All the work of the gentlemen was of
recitative character, and on that account
extremely difficult, but it was well done,
and reflected credit upon not only those
already named. but upon Messrs. w. !.
Caulfield and Chas. L. NJ. Skerrett, tenors,
and Bernard A. Ryan and Chas. F. Rob-
erts, who completed the list of soloists.
Tonight THE Redemption will be re-
local singers.
ATrS In
able to present the most adequate reading
of their own works, for there seems to be
that element in the literary Inspiration
that is naturally antagonistic to the pow
err of rendition possessed by reader. Thus
Mrs. Clara Bell Brown, in her entertain
ment last evening at MetZerott's, did not
give the best presentation of her writings
that she had selected for the evenings
program. The audience, however, was well
entertained, and applause was generously
FREQUENT Several very handsome floral
pieces went over the footlghts to Mrs
Brown, who appeared under the most dis
tressing circumstances, having left a bed
of sickness to fulfill her engagement. She
read the poems, 1.-The War Cry of Logan"
THE FAN of the Confederaey," THE stok-
er's Valentine" and "A Thousand Years
Ago" The prose sketches were entitled:
"A Reporters Life" and Il Remember"
Mrs. Brown was accompanied and assisted
In the program by Miss Jennie CNetll Pot-
ter in several selections. which she rem
dered in her usual happy style, and COM
pletely captured her audience. Prof. Mar
iano Mama sang twice most acceptabiy,
accompanied by Prof. Harry Howard. In
the audience were Chief Justice Fuller, the
Senators from Tennessee, Mrs. Sherman,
Mr. and Mrs. McCulloch and other distin-
guished people, all of whom hoped for bet
ter success under more favorable condi-
tons.
have been completed by the law students of
Georgetown University for the testimonial
benefit to be given George d. Bahen, the
plucky half-back of Georgetown's loot ball
team The array Of talent Is cutie large,
and aside from the meritorious object OF
the entertainment the attractions present
ed should induce a crowded house. The
young gentlemen promoting the affair have
been quite energetic and have secured the
services of those most popular in musical
circles, and the program Will contain a
picture of Bahen as he appeared IN the
championship game. The participants will
be- Mrs Thomas C. Noyes. Mrs. Anna
Craig Hills, the Philharmonic Quartet and
Mrs. H. H. Mills, Messrs. John Porter
Lawrence, Hub. T. Smith, I. Williams
Pearman. Herman c. Rakemann, Condo
Mast, E. j. Walsh, Miss Helena Chalmers,
the Tuxedo Mandolin and Guitar Quartet,
the Georgetown University Banjo, Mando-
lin and Guitar clubs The entertainment
will take place in Metzerott Hall tomor-
row night and seats may now be secured
at Metzerotts.
Lillian Russell-The Lillian Russell Opera
Company in a grand revival of Offenbachs
brilliant opera bouffes, La Perichole and
Grand Duchess" will appear at the Grand
Opera House next week. The ensemble is
but recently from Abbey's Theater, New
York, where it met with very great sue
cess Miss Russell, seen in these operas
with her present surroundings, is fully as
captivating as ever in appearance, and her
vocal quality has certainly improved; with
time she has added largely to her re-
sources OF her support, Miss Annie My
ers, we'll and popularity known here, is a
clever actress with an excellent voice, and
she helps make the most of the scene in
which she is seen. Mr.. Richie Ling sings
admirably and meets the demands of the
important roles in both operas. Digby
Bell an old favorite, furnishes a most
amusing study of the Viceroy in La Peri
chole" and Baron Puck in 1.-THE Grand
Duchess" while Mr.. Hallen Moystn is al
ways entertaining. La Perichols" will be
presented the first four nights of the week
and 1.-THE Grand Duchess the remainder
Seats on sale tomorrow morning.
1.-The Tcrnado."-Lincoln J. Carter, who
has for several years been prominent as
producer of novel stage realisms, will pre-
sent his latest scenic play, 1.-THE Tornado"
at the Bijou Theater next week. 1t is a
scenic melodrama of unusual pretensions,
and is said to contain enough in this line