Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-29
THE CHORAL SOCIETY.

A Splendid Performance of HandeFs
"Messfah' Given Last Night.
Handlers Messiah was sung last
evening by the Choral Society before an
audience that filled every seat in the spa
cious auditorium of the First Congrega-
tional Church, and large number who
| were unable to get seats stood during the
entire performance, which lasted over two
hours. 1t was the first concert given by the
society this season. and the warm welcome
which was accorded by the public, as well
as the excellence of it's work, leaves no
question that this musical organization re.
| tains its prominent place in the esteem and
| appreciation of the people of this CITY,
This presentation of the Messiah by the
Choral Society was the sixth in it's history,
| and while. of course, comparisons are idle,
1t was the feeling of many of those that
listened to the society last evening, as they
have on similar occasions in previous years.
that they had never heard a more satisfac-
tory rendition of this great oratorio by the
local society. While the able and conScien-
tous work of the singers who assumed the
solo parts contributed to this result, yet it
must be said that it was due mainly to the
energy, precision and volume of the chorus
that the presentation was SO notable in
every way and elected from the audience
evidences of their heartiest approval.
1t was evident that the chorus was in full
accord with it's leader, Mr.. Josef kaspar,
and that 1t had been faithfully trained
Certainly, while it was larger than in some
previous years, yet seldom IN the history of
the society has the chorus sung with great
er force and freedpm, than il did last even
ing. and given thS m itfcal notes the body
which is needed, especially in the interpre-
tation Of such passages Lift up your
heads and the hallelujah chorus. Perhaps
IL was familiarity with the music, but what
ever the cause the share in the presenta-
ton OF this work by the chorus was most
admirable and aroused the enthusiasm not
only of the musical portion of the audience,
but of those who, knowing little of tech
nlque, love to hear the grand harmontes of
this oratorio. The singing of For Unto Us
a Child is Born" was followed by such Il
round OF applause that it was repeated,
ana with the same accuracy and force of
the first rendering.
The only musical accompaniment for the
society and the soloists was the organ of
the church. which was played by Mr.. John
Porter Lawrence. The task of almost con-
tinuous playing for over two hours was not
light enc from physical standpoint, but
in addition Mr.. Lawrence played with evil
dent appreciation of the spirit of the COM
position. For the NEST part the organ
music was a genuine accompaniment bur
in the bass solo parts, which We're sung by
Mr.. Ericsson Bushnell, who is well known
here, the clear notes of his magnificent
voice were at times submerged and lost in
the accompaniment Mr.. Bushnell sings
with such accuracy and sympathetic ex-
preston, and the low notes are SO apt to
be absorbed rather than sustained by an
accompaniment, that perhaps he would be
heard 10 better advantage without the aid
Of instrumental music. He was in fine
voice last evening and sang with the ease
and power which, together with the rich
ness and range of his voice. easily places
him at the head of oratorio singers in this
country.
The ccntralto, Miss Fielding Roselle, for
merry Of this city, sang with much express
sion, and her beautiful voice, as well
her presence, gave evidently the greatest
pleasure to the audience. The fine quality
of her voice. as well as Ter insight into the
significance of the music, were brought
cut in the aria HE shall feed His flock like
a shepherd" and her subsequent work
maintained the same high mark which she
reached in that rendition.
The tenor parts were sung by Mr.. E. G.
Towne, who has appeared with the society
at former concerts. and his admirable
method showed no diminution in power and
effectiveness. He sang with great ease the
difficult music assigned in this work to the
tenor, and repeated the success of his
former visits to this city.
While giving evidences of the training of
musical education Nine. De Diaz Alber-
tiIi, who sang the soprano parts was not
very satisfactory, a circumstance which
was mainly due to the fact that her voice
is not of sufficient power for oratorio work.
AS the great audience left the house. with
the vibrant notes of the Amen" chorus
ringing in their ears. the general verdict
was one of keen satisfaction and pleasure
with performance which, as whole was
as near perfection as has been attained
certainly for several years past The mem,
bers of the chorus. the soloists, the leader
and the accompanist deserve the apprecia-
ton of all lovers ofligood music for the
pains which were evidently taken in order
to make this presentation Of the Messiah
such notable success as it proved to be.