Evening star., 1896-01-11
IN MUSICAL CIRCLE S
Saint Saens' Samson and Delilah" to Be
Given by the Choral. Society.
1t VIII be at the Grand Opera House,
With Good Cast and Large
Orchestra-Other Items.

rare treat is in store 1or tne music
lovers of Washington, and it will be not
long delayed. On the 9th instant at AL
lens Grand Opera House the Choral So
ciety will present for the first time in this
city Saint Saens' sacred grand opera SAM
son and Delilah," after three seasons OF
dligent effort on the part of the society to
overcome what have appeared to be insur-
mountable difficulties in the way OF its
successful rendition. The great expense,
extreme difficulty Of the orchestral work
and a suitable place to perform such a
work constituted some of these difficult
ties which have made 1t necessary TO aban-
don the concert each season heretofore.
One by one the board has overcome these
difficulties, until now the arrangements
are complete and the work viii be done in
thorough manner. The soloists are Miss
Mary, Louise Clary of New York, contral-
to, who sang the part under Walter DAM
rosch with such marked success; Mr. J. H
Mckinley of New York, tenor; DIR. B. Mer-
rill Hopkinson Of Baltimore, baritone; Mr..
Arthur Beresford of Boston, basso. The
orchestra will be made I'D of selected mu-
sicians from the Metropolitan Opera House
(New York; Orchestra Of last season and
the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. The
sale of seats to holders of honorary mem
bershp tickets opens Monday at Ellis &
Co. 937 Pennsylvania avenue. and to the
general public on Monday, January 90 at
the same place. The prices are 50 and %
cents, 81 and sl.50.
1t is expected that this performance Of
Samson and Del;lah'' will be the most ef-
fective that the Choral Society has given,
than heretofore, and there have been more
rehearsals on this music than any work
that the society has presented. Saint
Saens has given on the vocal score some
splendid opportunities for grand effects.
which DIR. Sherman, the director of the
society, has not lost sight of. He has drill
ed his force constantly and faithfully, and
the members have intellgently responded.
The directors are gratified at the interest
taken in the coming performance by sing
ers who have not heretofore sung with the
society. Mr.. Walter Damrosch has written
to the chairman of the finance committee
commencing the work and aim of the So
ciety, and saying that all the good singers
in Washington ought to be included in its
active ranks, and that no solo singer
should be above singing in the chorus with
the Choral Society.
Miss Anita Cluss, harp virtuoso, has re-
turned to this city. after giving concerts
| at Hagerstown, Nd, Wheeling, w. Va.
and Moundsville, w. Va Miss Cluss was
assisted by Mrs. Jennie Gardner-Stewart.
! soprano. late of Hinrich's Opera Company:
| Miss Irene Roland, dramatic reader Of this
| city; Miss Boley and Mr.. c. v. Gates. in
| dramatic literature.
Miss Cluss has recently played harp solos
in Baltimore, and has filled one weeks
| engagement in Cumberland. 1t is expected
| that Miss Cluss will give harp concert in
this city at an early date.
Mrs. Hobart Brooks added another to the
number of Washington singers who have
| made a success in New York and Brook
| lyn. She sang for the New Year reception
| Church, of which DR.. Theodore Cuyler was
\ for so many years the pastor. He was a
| lifelong and intimate friend of Mrs.
| Brooks grandfather, the late DR.. ]. w.
| Scott. Mrs. Brooks made a decided hit,
being obliged to respond to several recalls.
| Miss Gem Buker Of this city, after several
years Of study in Boston and of success in
| choir ard concerts, is now in London. She
has studied with Randegger and Shakes
peare in London. With the latter she is
| now working hard, and, her friends say,
| making great improvement Miss Puker
! has a soprano voice of wide range rich
| full and flexible. She sings with artistic
| finish and taste James Whitcomb Riley
complimented her highly in Boston, when.
at press banquet, she sang his Little Girl,
! Don't Cry" Her Old friends in Washing
| ton will be glad to know of Misc Buker's 8
work, and will wish her every success.
| Rivarde continues to create sensation
| wherever he appears and his coming to
| Washington is expected, with great antici-
pations of enjoyment He will play with
the Washington String Orchestra, Febru-
| ary s, and render Mendelssohn's violin con-
| oerto and Wieneawski's Airs Russes As
| Mr.. Lachaume, the eminent pianist, will
| also give several solos. and the program
announcement of Mrs. Lent's appearance In
this concert is withdrawn. She will be
| heard, however, at the next concert of the
String Orchestra.
Prof. Fanciulli is desirous of having his
Messe Solennelle, which was given Christ
mas day at St Aloysius' Church, produced
in elaborate style, with big chorus and
full orchestra, and it is not unlikely that
| this may take place at one of the oper a
houses some Sunday evening. At such an
occasion Prof. Fanciulli could also present
some of his orchestral compositions, which
| have never been heard in this city, al
though they were warmly praised in New
| York.