Evening star., 1896-02-29
IN MUSICAL CIRCLES
Soma Former Notable Amateur 0peratie
Performances Recalled.
Some of the Participants Have Passed
Out of public Vlcw-Items Of
Present Intercst.

The death of Mrs. E. r. True calls to
mind one of the most successful perform
ances of amateur opera In this city, in
which she was an active participant. That
was before her marriage to MIR. True, when
she was Miss JEANNE Bryan, and the opera
was the Chimes of Normandie," In which
she sang the part OF Germaine. She had
a contralto voice Of remarkable sweetness
and the song in the second act was never
given with more sympathetic expression
and effect than on that occasion at the
National Theater. The entire cast was a
good one. Miss Eva Mills was the Serpo-
lette, and she sang and acted the part
beautifully. John Pugh was the Marquis,
Ed. Hay the Gaspard, Harry Pearson the
Greumcheaux, Lou Seibold the bailie
and Harry Forsman the notary. John
Sousa led the orchestra, and it is needless
to say that that branch of the work was
thoroughly efficient.
The chorus was composed Of ladies and
gentlemen then well known in musical cir
c!es, some Of whom have since become
prominent, and the organization was
known as the Washington Operate Asso-
citation. Although the association lasted
only about three years it did some excellent
work during its existence. Among the
Sausa's "Smugglers,' % Patience and THE
Pirates of Penzance." A feature Of that
organization was that it incnded in its
membership the then foremost singers in
Washington, something which no other as
sociation since has been able to do.
Mr.. Herman Rakemann is preparing for
a musicale by his pupils, which will take
place carly next month. He will present
some novel effects in string music, and 1t
is said that some of the soloists will ex-
hibit decided ability. 1t appears, not only
from MIR. Rakemanns testimony, but from
that Of other teachers, that the number of
rsrl- lii
as an accomplishment Is increasing every
year.
Mr.. Charles S. Elliot so agreeably re-
nembered here as organist of the Gunton
Temple Memorial Church. and as a lecturer
end writer upon musical subjects, has gone
into musical Journalism in New York. He
will publish the first number Of his paper,
The American Choir carly in April. He
best church music writers on both sides of
the Atlantic.
The Moody Choir, which has now become
fixed musical institution here, is prepar-
ing to give concert which will take place
some time next month Mr.. Percy S. Fos-
ter, the director of the choir, will arrange
an attractive program, and there will be
good solo as well as chorus numbers
1t is generally supposed that there is
good deal Of local pride in the community
and that every enterprise that is under
taken which is purely of local character
will be generously supported Mr. Z. H.
new Washington Symphony Orchestra
however. thinks this is not always so. Il
sent out over 1890 appeals in behalf of
guarantee fund.- he said, in speaking of
the work that had been done for the new
organization, land 1 have received about
Si25 all told. There wasn't enc to whom
l sent a circular who was not able to re-
spond to the extent of about s.. but you
see the result. Now" he added, don't
imagine that the amount 1 have received
is all in So subscriptions, for some have
sent checks for S25. some for SIS and some
for SO. Mr.. Rakemann and 1 are anxious
to give a concert as soon as the guarantee
fund justifes 1t, but we don't feel like
shouldering the expense ourselves. We
have not yet been able to fix date
The new Washington Military and Con-
cert Band, of which Mr.. Will Haley is
conductor. made an excellent appearance in
the parade on Washington's birthday, and
its work was highly praised. Mr. Haley
will not give his last band concert until
after Easter. when he will present a pro-