The herald., 1897-12-08
MUSICAL NOTES

The augmented brass and wOOd-Wind
sections of the womans orchestra of
Los Angeles gave a vigorous rendition
of Gade's Crusaders" at the Pasadena
opera house last evening, accompanied
by strings of more than fair quality
and by, as far as could be occasionally
discovered, an admirable body Of Choir
alists. In all seriousness, and In all
kindness, 1t should be brought nome to
those that be in authority that the
woman's orchestra, serious In Its In
tent and capable enough in some of its
parts and in certain work, is not prop
erly equipped for the important task
1t undertook last night. Ambition of
this sort serves no manner Of service;
1t is death to the art itself and 1t over
leaps itself vengefully in it's erect upon
the student. The effect upon the hearer
need not be considered, for 1t would seem
that discrimination is at lamentable
discount. Some day, when all things are
Brought to light, it will probably be re-
vealed why wind players will invariably
tune sharp, but at present one must ac-
cept the cacophonic fact and be duly
unthankful for it.
The program was in itself an admir-
ably chosen one. 1.-THE Crusaders" Is
strongly dramatic work, after the favor
ite English festival model and it
abounds in the sensuous effects and
strong contrasts dear to the Gade
school. The place of honor must be
given to the chorus, the common weak
ness in the tenors being the only draw
back to an otherwise fine body. The
sopranos especially are bright, crisp,
telling and the bassos run a good Sec
ond. Had this chorus been content with
the simple double accompaniment Of a
concert grand piano and a good reed
organ 1t would have given far better
account of itself on the whole. There
were slips-one a very bad one-and
had 1t not been for one bright young
soprano the Spirits Of Darkness, duly
billed to appear and dance, might never
have brought either achievment into
appreciable being. There is splendid ma
terial in the chorus, but there was last
night little snap or vigor. If there were,
it failed to get out over that famboyant
and ever-triumphant wind. Boreas, a
hat to you! Surely, never was Crusader
tempted less to do that which he should
not than when confronted with such
aggressive responsiveness. Howbeit,
the strings were, as whole, remark
ably fluent and accurate, and they
fairly shared with the chorus the honors
Of the event.
The three soloists, Miss Jennie Win
ston, Mr.. Zinck and Mr.. Harry Williams,
had exceedingly grateful work, and they
met it in characteristic fashion. Miss
Winston is always artistic, but her
voice lacks the dramatic power and
magnetic, thrilling intensity which work
Of the CRUSADER" type positively de-
mands. Her dainty Gaylor "Fireflies"
showed her at her best.
Mr.. Zinck should free himself from his
restrained style. He holds himself back
with a persistency that is positively be-
wildering. For the rest, his work was
uniformly scholarly and thoughtful, al
though his pitch was not always free
from reproach. Mr.. Williams is far and
away the best thinking singer in our
midst. Every phrase shows that the
inner meaning of the whole work, and
not simply that of the passing word is
comprehended. And that is a good
thing. But there is more. The enuncia-
tion Is clear, clear-cut, the mezza voice
beautiful. The fly in the amber Is in the
upper voice. If Mr.. Williams would
learn that the bass register should new
er be pulled up, and that the voce mista
Is the pearl of great price for him, there
would dawn still better days for very
earnest and intellectual singer. His
Adelaide was sung very sympatheti-
cally, but it should be left in its only
sphere-with the few great tenors of the
vryor1d Uyhftr0Vytc To
found in Mr.. Williams jocund, unctu-
GUS vein that was admirable to a de-
gree, the last verse, however, again find
ing the weak spot.
There was a fine audience. The house
was badly lighted; the programs gave
out; the ladies Of the orchestra and
chorus looked charming; Miss O'Don-
oughue. played some accompaniments
even better than of yore, and Mr.. Har-
ley Hamilton directed.
= =
The Nashville Students gave one of
their unique musical entertainments
last evening II. Music hall before a fair
sized audience. The ensemble work Of
these colored singers is very enjoyable;
their voices blend agreeably, and they
sing with the spontaneity and spirit
characteristic Of their race. They have
very infectious humor, too, which ex-
presses itself most Unexpectedly at
times, and the rag time" and other ac-
compartments played by Mrs. McKen-
zie were particularly clever.
+ 4 =
The Queen Vocal Quartet will make
its initial appearance this evening at
music hall, with a carefully selected
program. Mines Isabel Wyatt, Aud,
Thomas, Lolete Rowan and Miss Edith
-~vA