The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1897-03-25
In SAMSON AND DELILAH"
GOUNOD SOCIETY PRESENTS SAINT
SAENS' BIBLICAL OPERA.


Complete Success Qualified by the Char
acter of the Work and tho Singing and
Acting of Barron Barthold In the Tenor
Role-The Society's Tribute to Mr.. Agra
monte's Efforts.
Saint Saens' Biblical opera, Sam
son and Delilah' was heard for the hrst
time in this city last evening, present
ed in oratorio form by the Gounod So
ciety at it's one concert of the season.
1t is the eleventh year in the existence
of the society, and each year has peen
marked by the advancement in the
character of the works performed
Samson and Delilah" is the most am
bilious work that has been undertaken
so far, and the fact that it was success
fully rendered proves the continued
growth and increased capabilities or
the society as an organization Inc
society has always been conducted by
it's present leader, Emilio ASramonte,
and the reputation that the society mas
is owing to his unceasinS efforts TO
bring the performances up to the pres
ent standard. The society repays Mr..
Agramonte by an extraordinary per-
sonal devotion and loyalty that must
be extremely gratifying to him. The
best instance of this was shown few
weeks ago when the giving of this
years concert hung in the balance and
the members of the society within ten
minutes guaranteed by something over
$500, and last evening the chorus gave
a very public demonstration of it's at
fection when Mr.. Agramonte was pre-
sented with an enormous laurel wreath
to loud accompaniment of applause
and cheering.
not so entirely satisfying as that of
"Arminius" last year This is not the
fault of the society," but OF the work it
self, which requires for an entirely ar
tistic presentation conditions which are
not only impracticable but impossible
at present. And the chorus which has
been the invariably excellent feature of
the concerts in past years had very
little to do this year That little was
done extremely well and would un-
doubtedly have received a large share
Of applause if the continuity of the
work had not prevented the opportuni-
ty for it, The martial choruses of the
first act were given with splendid spirit
and ought to have fired the enthusiasm
of even so phlegmatic a person as Mr..
Barron Berthald
Mr.. Berthald was most unfortunate
Samson" He absolutely failed both
as to the musical and dramatic possi-
bilities of the role. His voice is natu-
rally Of good quality, which is the only
good thing to be said Of it. Among the
other things are the incessant use oi
| the portamento, the unpleasant habit
of scooping tones, inability to enunciate
the English language, and last, but not
least, incorrect intonation.
| Miss Stein deserves a double share
of praise, not only for her excellent rem
dition of her own role, but also for heI
ability to sing against the Samson" OF
the occasion. Miss Stein was warmly
received and enthusiastically applaud.
ed on the few occasions when there was
an opportunity for applause. Miss Steir
sang well and showed considerable ap.
probation of the dramatic possibilities
Of the text. She is one of the most sat.
isfactory and conscientious singers be
| fore the public. Miss Stein has sans
ungrateful roles here on several occa
sions. Last night she had her oppor
| tunity for greater things and she prov.
| ed equal to it. The public appreciated
| it,
| Mr.. Meyn and Mr.. Witherspoon ha6
ungrateful tasks to perform, but botl
acquitted themselves we'll Mr.. Wither
| spoon sang with lovely quality of tone
and showed a complete understanding
of the text. He was more than eaua
to the part, and has undoubtedly start.
ed on a very successful career as ar
oratorio singer. Mr.. Meyn sang the
part of the High Priest" and while he
has a good deal of difficult music tc
sing, he has no opportunity for effec
tive solo work. Mr.. Meyn sans
throughout the evening in very digni
fed and conscientious manner.
| The chorus work has never sounded
more effective In the Hyperion, and il
probably is in no small measure due tt
the fact that new sounding board was
used. 1t was the sounding board II
regular use at the Boston Symphony
concert, but has not been used for ora
torio before.
The orchestra, which is the one fur
nished by Mr.. Stewart for the sprine
| festivals played very well. The scor,
is very difficult, and so smooth a per
| formance after one rehearsal deserve.
| great credit.