The sun., 1897-12-04
ZEE oEAroR1o sootrrr.
An excellent Performances OF esunea,s "ne-
deuipttenn Gtvon.


For tho first concert of this season tho orato-
rio Society gave yesterday Gounods "Redemp-
tion" work which has not been done here
since tho winter OF 1882 80. when 1t was given
under Theodore Thomas's leadership, the solo
lists being thcn Miss winont, Mrs. Hartdcgcn.
Mrs. 0sgood, Mr.. Rommertz, Mr.. Winch and
Mr.. Simpson.
Tho first production OF n work laid out upon
as grand a scheme as this, SO soon after Its in.
itial performance and enthusiastic reception In
England. was event scarcely less noteworthy
than the first introduction to the public of Men.
delssohn's Elijah" notwithstanding the fact
that the latter is n creation Of vastly higher
merit than Gouuod's oratorlo. us tho test
OF time and OF improved musical taste and
Judgment during these past dfteen years has
proved. Much was expected from Gounod's most
serious writing. ho himself prophesying that
on this would bo founded his most enduring
reputation. Such will not provo the fact, how.
ever. for although 1t is of larger SCOPE and DOS
tosscs libretto Of deeper import than theirs.
she music OF Tho Redemption Ia not
more beautiful nor moro inspired than
tRiny II is not as original. as touching, or as
attractive rs that OF :. Romeo and Juliet" II Is
thas onnods fame viii rest towerbR ao thc
skies and cnshrninE his memory as one OF the
greatest geniuscs Of the world and one OF the
Gounod's heart was in his iebors upon It with a
He was his own libretslst, the exeolent English
translation being by tho Rev; J; Troutbeck. Tho
the prologue treating Of tho crea tion Of the world
and Of man and the promise I & OF the Redeemer,
fSe 20 aoSnod called RHs' Rs book
"a TriloEy, and he hes introduced a melody or
Lcitmotif, which typitles the Christ. This oc-
freuucntly throughout the work,
Although there Is much ,,. to admire ,S IN this
mighty nRd r rtasmg X ~ the nc evidence nc, n of
ardent admirer of Gounod can honestly rejoice
in more than a limited number of extracts from
doubt, to the fact that the subject chosen is too
great, too sacred, for musical illustration. What
Hs S ths EVENTS on aoh
sacrifice upon the Cross ia made trivial. unim-
and s"rSs in seors
nevertheless. and it is impossible that it should
be thought OF with bowed head and contrite heart
in silence is mad made :. noisy with voices and ND
"Pentecost' "pS are re- better managed and do do
not jar sacred and feel
and bass ssG among the Of
the text Throughout the trilogy the recita-
tives consigned TO these " Narrators arc al
upon a steadily rising and falling progression
Of semitones. The wcarisome character Of this
music Is IN u great Negree reueVcu Dy
monies in the accompaniment and by the dra-
matically interesting way in which the story is
told, yet tho general effect Is of weakness and
monotony. The gems Of the work are in the
latter portion. ono of them being the chorus
Lovely Appear" and another tho soprano solo
"Over the Barren Wastes"
Following is q list of the artists who appeared
at this concert:
Nine Johanna Gadski Soprano
Miss Fielding Roselle Mezzosoprano
Miss Marguerite Hall .... .Contralto
Mr. William H. Rieger Tenor
Mr. David Bispham. Baritone
MI Ericsson Bushnell Bass
Naturally among these Mme Gadski and Mr..
Bispham were the ones to rejoice in. Both of
these favorites were in perfect voice. Nine.
Gadski astonishcd even those who had long
since accepted her as unusually compe'
tent and reliable artist by her remarkably clear
and correct pronunciation of English A for
egner seldom attains such f1awless utterance.
GaGSkfB voice never sounded moro sweet or
more brilliant than yesterday.
Mr.. Bispham was Mt once q model of doport-
ment and of defamation.
Miss Halls voice sounded throaty and her
enunciation was very Indistinct. Neither Mr..
Bushnell nor Mr. Rieger added any laurels to
their wreaths. though they gave evidence of
sincerity in their endeavor.
Neither did Mr.. Damrosch's chorus acquit
themselves always faultlessly. There were
signs OF timidity and insecurity In its perform
ance.