The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-04-21

A Splendid Concert by the Arion Club In
Infantry Hall.

Great soloists ana n great chorus made
the closing concert by the Arion Club
something worth remembering. Infantry
Hall was packed to the walls last evening
by one of the finest audiences ever seen
i'm the city, and the music Of The Flying
Dutchman" was rendered superbly by u
quartet of famous singers and the Arion
chorus It was "a rare musical treat ana
IL was enjoyed to the utmost Wagner
work was something out OF the ordinary
ambition of this fine chorus but the sue
cess of last evening will probably be the
means of giving more of the master 5
genius next season. The opera given
without any stage dressing and depending
entirely upon the art OF the vocalists lost
little of its value To the great majority OF
those present because they possessed
musical appreciation and loved music and
capable interpreters for music ana art ;
sake.
No better singing has been heard in
this vicinity this season, and The flying
Dutchman" closed the Arion's season
In the most gratifying manner. The
cast last evening was AS follows: Senta,
Madame Emma .Iuch, soprano; Mary,
Miss Dorothy McTaggart, contralto; Elk
and Steersman, Mr.. William III. Rieger,
tenor; Daland, Mr.. Ericsson +. Bushnell,
bass; Dutchman, Mr. rfrangcon Davies,
baritone.
Mr.. Davies Is peerless vocalist. At n
recent concert he astonishcd Providence
by his singing of the great part OF EllJah
and last evening he added To his popu-
larity by giving an exhibition OF vocal
ability, musical assurance, and DONNA
| tion. of all that there was in the opera to-
gether with repose, dramatic scope, and
| personal confidence, that has not been
! duplicated in this city by any platform
| singer.
Miss .Juch was likewise at her best.
| There are few artists in the world superior
| to this great vocalist and her singing
| with Mr.. Davies was worth almost "A
world OF pains to hear 1t was a musicai
| triumph.
Mr.. Rieger was happily cast and his
| clear and pure tenor was one OF the de.
| lights of the concert. He has been heard
| in this city several times but he seemed ~
| get "a flrmer grasp on the affection oil
| music lovers than he ever did before.
Mr.. Bushnell sang as an artist should
| and his rich voice was well employed.
| Like MIR. Reger he made no effort To sug-
! gest the dramatic idea by any muscular
! manifestation, but stald fast to the music
which was beautifully rendered The
dramatic fire of Miss Juch and Mr.. Davies
| made the contrast and gave "A satisfying
! flavor OF opera 10 those who had seen tine
work with all the stage accessories In q
complete rendering of the work.
Miss McTaggarts personal appearance
| coupled Wltil ROou Noltc uHu hiiiStN
methods, made her small part especially
gratifying
The chorus was especially successful
under the skilful guidance of Director
| Jordan The difficult music was rendered
with proper assurance and with remark
able precision and firmress. Indeed IL can
not be recalled when the clubs vocalist'
maintained the fame Of the beloved organ
ization better than 1t did on this occasion
1t was plain to he seen that the great
soloists as well as the big audience appre'
ciatod the chorus work
"The Flying Dutchman" was presented
almost without a flaw.