Evening star., 1896-01-04
IN USICAL CIRCLES
The Choral Society Working on Saint Saens'
Samson and Delilah."
This Will BE Given I'm Aliens Grand
Opera Housc-Interest i'm Banjo
and Mandolin Music.

The next concert of the Choral Society
will be given at Aliens Grand Opera House
the last of this month. The oratorio to he
presented will be Saint Saens' Samson
and Delilah," which has EXCITED the great
est interest wherever it has been sung.
The society hoped to give this oratorio last
season, but was unable to secure an ade-
quate orchestra at the date fixed for the
performance. This Is one of the greatest
compositions of modern times, and requires
an orchestra not only of unusual size but
containing many unusual instruments. IT
as presented last year in New York by the
ABBEY, Schoeffel & Grau Company both as
an opera, with all the accompaniments of
scenery. properties and costumes, and also
IS an oratorio, on a Sunday night, where
the nobleness of the work stood out in all
Its grandeur. without any adventitious aid.
AL thesa performances the resources of the
splendid orchestra, under Manchinelli were
iully tested, and the Choral Society feel
that without proper orchestral accompani-
meilt Samson and Delilah" would be a
failure
The vocal part of the work will be in
competent hands. for the society has had
considerable practice both last season and
tnls upon the chCruses, and these may be
expected to be rendered in a perfect man.
ner Many of these choruses are of great
beauty as to treatment, and afford oppor-
tunlty for the society to show the careful
training it has received under its musical
director, DR.. H. c. Sherman. A large body
OF singers is needed for the proper inter-
probation of this work and at a meeting of
the board of directors of the CHORAL So
ciety held Thursday evening II was de-
clded to admit to membership in the So
ciety limited number of capable voices
without charging them the usual admis-
sion fee on Monday evening next at the
Typographical Hail. where the rehearsals
take place; singers whose abilities are not
known TO the examining committee will be
examined as to quality of voice and read
ing ability. The approaching performance
of the great sacred opera of Samson and
Deltiah' is exciting considerable interest
among musicians here, and the ranks of
the Choral Society will most likely be filled
up next Monday evening. The Damrosch
Club of thirty male voices has, it is under
stood, been invited to sing with the society.
and it is probable will accept.
In the old days the players of the banjo
and mandolin We're considered to be pick
ers rather than real musicians. The possi-
bilities of these instruments were unknown.
1t was considered that they were all very
well to furnish brief amusement, but the
idea of getting artistic music out of these
instruments was not thought Of. Now,
however, both banjo and mandolin sre
played by men who are as artistic in their
musical sense as those who affect more
ambitious instruments. Neither Of them Is
perfect instrument, and each needs
background of accompaniment to bring out
perfect harmony, but with that aid either
banjo or mandolin is an artistic solo in
strument. The playing of the banjo by Mr..
who thought they were good players upon
that instrument as to what could be done
with 1t by an artist
There are many good players on these in
struments in Washington. both singly and
in clubs. The best team is undoubtedly
that of Cullen and Collins, who both play
the banjo, and have Mr.. McEnany as
piano accompanist. They play a high grade
n ho IRA nrrQd fir.
gems and the works of some of the most
eminent composers for their own use. The
best club is perhaps the Madrids, who play
a class Of selections equal to any orchestra
The interest in these instruments, both for
Individual and club use, is Increasing with
each year, and when 1t is considered that
Chopin's Nocturnes. Liszt's Polonaises, the
works even Of Schubert, Schumann and
Wagner. besides arrangements from every
classical and comic opera, are now played
by such clubs the reason for 1t is manifest.
Prof. Geo. w. Lawrence has secured the
National Rifles Armory Hall and will pro-
duce the opera Pinafore with his pupils on
Thursday and Friday evenings, February
- and y. The cast and chorus. which has
been selected by Prof Lawrence with great
care, will number about forty-fve voices
The Washington String Orchestra is dill
gently rehearsing for its next concert under
the direction of Its conductor, Mr.. Ernest
Lent. The program will be one of varied
character and the soloists will be Riverie
the great violinist; Anne Lachume and Mrs.
Ernest Lent, pianists. Great interest is
manifested in the appearance here of Ri
verde, who has created the most favorable
impression In every city in which he has
played. and 1T is expected that the seats
will be rapidly taken.
Mr.. Anton Gloetzner is bringing the
Georgetown Orchestra through its rehear-
sails in excellent form. Many of the old
members, who have been rather irregular
In their attendance are now among the
most earnest of the regulars, and the inter-
est in their work increases with each re-
hearsaL Those who have heard the orches-
ira recently say it never played in better
form
An organ recital will be given at the New
Church, corner OF 10th and Corcoran streets
next Friday evening, January TO- the occa-
sion being the opening of a new organ built
by Hook & Hastings of Boston. Mr. Fred
e-ick Maxson of Philadelphia will give the
recital. assisted by local talent to be an
nCunced later.
Mrs. Ralph P. Barnard will sing tomor-
row morning at the New Church. corner
10th and Corcoran streets, "The King OF
Love My Shepherd Is by Gounod.