The record-union., 1896-04-22
ADJUSTMENTS.

iouS tIIne. 1t was sincerely regretted
by music lovers that the Congrega-
tional Church was not completely filled.
such a musical event was worthy the
largest audience Sacramento could
turn out. 1t was an entertainment such
as falls to ones lot only on rare occa-
sions. Here were 175 trained voices
singing as one-the time was simply
perfect-under a leadership that was
ideal, and singing with such spirit, feel
Ing, earnestness, heartiness and refined
taste as are met with only on rare occa-
sions in chorus body. 1t was splen-
did concert, a choice musical feast, and
as varied as it was charming. The
singers, too, are fine specimens of
womanliness and manliness; not beau
ties, to be sure, on the one hand nor
Apollos on the other, but vigorous,
womanly and manly. There are some
very superior leading voices that were
heard in solos, quartets and trios, and
In part songs. Notably did Mr.. Easton.
the tenor, impress the audience with his
fine taste and deep feeling, as well as
with his exceedingly strong, sweet, sill
very tenor. Miss Cooper, meZzo-so-
prano, Mr.. Ashworth, tenor, and Mr..
Ensign, basso, in a trio, won a perfect
storm of applause for the delicacy and
finish of their work. Miss Edwards,
soprano, Miss Allison, contralto, and
Mr.. Pyper, tenor, were entirely success
full also in their numbers. The boy alto,
Master Pike, sang Angels Ever
Bright and Fair in a remarkable voice,
remarkable for its quality and strength,
but not less so for the feeling with
which the lad invests his songs, and the
deEcacy with which he executes. Mr..
Weihe, the violin virtuoso, proved to be
an artist of excellence. Miss Babcock,
the reader of the troupe, is one Of the
cleverest, most self-possessed and un-
pretentious. There is no flourish or
founces about her work. 1t is the
beauty, charm and strength of natural
ness. But it was the chorus work that
most pleased the audience, and drew
the most persistent and pronounced ap-
plause ever heard in that assembly
room. The hallelujah chorus with the
grand organ and the string or
chestra was loftily impressive and
soul-uplifting, and when, imme-
diately on its close, the choir
broke forth with 1.-The Star
Spangled Banner" the audience arose,
and some cheered and some waved their
handkerchiefs, and many joined in the
National hymn, and all felt patriotic
from top to toe. The programme was
long, the encores responded to many,
and though it was nearly 1870 o'clock
when the concert closed, 1t was evident
that the people were 10th to leave. To
our taste the finest effect pro-
duced by the choir was in
the Dedication Anthem and the
best number by select voices was the
tenor solo by Mr.. Easton, though the
fine quartet from 'Rigoletto" by four
superior voices fairly divided honors
with any number of the evening. One
thing noticeable was that, save with one
or two soloists, no music scores were
used. The 175 singers are note per-
feet in their memorized scores, and it
is said that this ability runs up to a
very large total of anthems, oratorios,
acts and scenes from operas and a host
of hymns and songs, so that probably
one or two hundred numbers could be
sung by the choir without reference TO
written or printed score. Treating of
the choir as a whole, we should say
that it is a combination of discreetly
chosen forces, making up remarkably
well-balanced body of musicians, whose
tone is round and powerful, whose
enunciation is as near perfection as
trained singers in such number ever
reach, and whose work is careful, pre-
else and full of enthusiasm. 1t is def
cient only in formality and primness,
and for that the audience was most
thankful; it was so refreshing to face
and hear a body of highly trained, fine
voices, where there was no affectation,
no flourish, no red tape, no fiutter and
straining. 1t was all ease, frankness,
sincerity earnestness and perfect sub
mission-glad submission-to the will
of the leader, Mr. Stephens, than whom
we have never seen one of just his pecu-
iarities and singular qualities; but for
them let the public be thankful II
was a highly enjoyable concert. No
one who heard it will be found who will
have word to say of it except IN praise
If there were weaknesses and minor de-
fects, they sank out of sight and con-
sideration before such general excel
1ence, such perfection of drill and splen-
did enthusiasm. We have never heard
in Sacramento from any body of sing
ers deeper. richer or more harmonious
body OF tone than that In the Soldiers
Chorus" from Faust" nor any better
choral work anywhere than that of the
Mormon choir in the hymn 80, My
Father" The tenderness with which
THE Mothers Lullaby" was sung by
female voices was exquisitely lovely
and the Pilgrims Chorus" from 81
lombard" as an encore, was wonder
fully beautiful. more than notable fol
its stateliness and grave, suggestive
beauty. In short, all the work of the
chorus was either dramatically eff
fective, devotionally profound and NOV
ing, lofty in ascription and aspiration
or delicate as dying autumn zephyr
II was a work throughout of richness
and meaning; and music, from whatever
source delivered, without sensibility as
to it's meaning, is an offense
At the Gunia OpAra-house fThe
Private Secretary" has caught on al
once, and is giving fine satisfaction
The speciality acts please, and the whole
varied bill makes up a most enjoyable
entertainment. The same bill tonight
The box-office OF the Metropolitan
Theater opens this morning for reser-
walton of seats for "Puddnhead vii
son" by the Frank Mayo Herald-squart
Theater Company of New York.
If you don't smoke Sweet Moment:
cigarettes you don't get the best.
DR.. Siegert's Angostura Bitters, in
dorsed by physicians and chemists fol
purity and wholesomeness-
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