Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1897-12-17
ELIJAH"
Its Inspiring Rendering by the
Choral Union.


ing Number, go Rest In the Lord >,
Given an audience we'll filling, though
not crowding, the coy Auditorium. wifi
sololsts IN perfect sympathy with their
WORK, Win chorus in very close touch
with their conductor and full of enthusiasm
over the noble character of the oratorio II.
self ana an orchestra of skilled musicians
reasonably facile, IL is no wonder thai ,ho
'oncert OF last evening is already set down
IS by far the most important and sucrass-
mi event in the life of this society NJ NIL
as in the musical history of Brattleboro
The oratorio itself is far more amhitio,,.
han anything before undertaken. and In
ng the carrier stages of its rehearsino tbero
we're some lapses among the chorus singers
Tho felt that, while the "Rose Maldenm
had attractions, this serious, difficult nro.
duction was beyond them, aud discretion
prompted their withdrawal There wara
some that remained, however, who evinced a
little timldity during the progress of the con.
cert last evening, but they were few and
not specially noticeable. The like is true
OF almost every chorus, where willingness
or desire to sing is accepted as the standard
OF admission rather than the certi6cation
OF ability from some competent committee
of examination.
Elijah is the most nearly dramatic of the
old great oratorios, although not to so great
degree as the more modern production of
SaintSaens-Samson and Delilah-which
indeed was originally composed as an opera
rather than the stately oratorio.
Mr.. Millers Interpretation of the part of
the prophet was full of strength and die.
nifty. His voice has marked resonance
which lends itself readily to the rendering
of this wonderful composition. In the
great display aria, "Is not his world like
fire." he sang with grand effect; in his
interview with the Widow over the death of
her son he sang with tenderness and rever-
ence; in the passage with the priests of
Baal and with Ahab, the king, there was
the loyalty and fearessness of the old
prophet, while in the rendering of the beau
tiful aria, 1T is enough" the reaction
which came to the man of God was most
touchingly displayed. This latter was
perhaps the finest portion of Mr.. Millers
work and was rendered especially enioya-
BILE by the playing of the cello obligato by
Mr.. Janser of Springfield. Certainly Brat
tleboro is to be considered very highly ia
vored in having so large an ownership in so
able and conscientious singer.
This is true also in a very high degree
ing, Miss Gregg, who sang the part of the
Widow in the first part, and Mrs. Hubbard,
who sang the beautiful aria, Clear We Is
rael," and other numbers in the second
part. Miss Gregg displayed fine concep-
ton of the difficult "recitative" work as
signed to her in the solo, "What have | to
do with thee?" She evinced dramatic force
and gave beautiful rendering unsteady of
this diversified composition. To Mrs. Hub
bard, who is at her best in oratorio, and
who enjoys it best of all, was given
the lovely aria, "Hear ye Israel" and sure
ly an audience were never more willing lis
teners. 1t was a rarely enjoyed privilege,
and marked intelligent conception and vocal
resource in high degree.
The tenor parts of this work are diversi-
fed, and do not rise, perhaps, as high as
might have been in conception and setting,
but the audience of last evening may thank
the Choral Union for having departed from
the usual custom of music festival manage
ment in securing Mr. LAWN, an artist of
the very highest order philip Hale to the
contrary, Notwithstanding who sang in
Chicago on Monday evening with great
success and arrived here on Wednesday be-
cause he would not disappoint a Brattle
boro audience. We are reminded of a crit
icism of the tenor at the Elijah concert at
Springfield a few months ago which char
acterized the singer as imam with still
small voice and quiet, almost sleepy man
ner," and as "church singer upon whom
many sermons had produced deadening
effect" The lack of electricity" so no.
ticeable there was not in evidence here, and
Mr.. LAWN was at his best, as indeed he al
WAYS is in Brattleboro. The two beautiful
arias, ''If with all your hearts, and Then
shall the righteous shine, " were given in a
most satisfying manner and left little to be
wished for.
Miss Edmands, the eminent Boston con-
tralto. is not a stranger, but 1t is several
wears since she sang here. Perhaps moth
Jog afforded our music-loving people more
pleasure in prospect than the announce
ment of her engagement for this occasion.
In no mean degree was this expectation
realized, and the thanks of all are due to
the Choral Union committee for their
temerity in mourning this added expense
for their delectation.
In the air "Woe, woe unto them VINO
forsake me- there was conception OF the
composers thought which was indeed re-
freshing and too rare by far. Miss Ed
mands's rendering of the air, o rest in the
Lord !" was most beautiful. Without arti-
fetal but with the true devout spirit, this
lovely song of comfort was deserving Oh
the tenacious encore which it received, Du'
the conductors word was pledged TO close
the concert at 10 o'clock, and no compll'
ance with the demand for its repetition
could be allowed. Brattleboro Will DC
pleased to greet Miss Edmands again IN the
near future. ,u,
The angel trio, Lift thine eyes, by the
soprano and coptralto soloists, was Verlt,
able gem. The quartet, "Holy, Holy,
with chorus accompaniment) by MISS Al
len, Miss Gregg, Mrs. Landry and MRS
Eddy, came as a delightful surprise 10 ne SV
ery one and was very charming. Inc
quartets by the soloists, with Frank brssol
and Harry Smith as BASES In turh' "ei'
exceedingly we'll rendered. =,
OF the chorus nothing but praise can p "
written. This is by far the most dlhcul
work they have ever attempted, ana IN In
dramatic portions where are speclaill
needed quick response and nrm aIUacA
these qualities were noticeable. IL WA
doubly difficult for them, for until Weu
nesday and Thursday they have had no op
portunity for rehearsal with the soiolsVs
There were. of course, some ragged euges
but on the whole it was a renarKaoio 20 =,
Torrance. From the first choral note II
"Help, Lord" to the "Amen' hnale, 'ne!
we're on the All riUe, and gave Iresn eTl
dence of careful drill under their pslhsy,a '
inc and enthusiastic leader, Mr.. Hawley
prohabIy The finest chorus in the work, al