The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-05-11

The Fanny Mendelssohn society. con-
cerning which there was so much an
ticipation, made it's first public appear
ance at concert given by the society
in the rockingham last night. The
members were assisted by Mile. Alice
Verlet, soprano, and Miss Maud Nor
gan, harr;st.
The audience was the largest seen
at a concert in Scranton this season.
1t was Il cultured and discriminating
audience that fifty welcomed the artists
and in turn was fifty entertained. En-
tcrtained Is the word of words for last
nights programme was one of enter
tainment throughout
At times the entertainment took the
forn of a proper but still ripping jol-
lity: again it was peace, a swectly mel
ancholy peace but it was alweys enter
tainment "The Spinning Song" from
THE Flying Dutchman" and Parker's
THE Fisher" were the nearest ap-
proaChes to serious themes and they
were, at most, but approaches.
Every seat in the house was taken by
friends of the Fanny Mendelssohn So
ciety and by others who were attracted
by a glance at the published pro-
gramme. 1t is a sufficient commentary
upon the concert to say that the most
critical auditors in the large audience
were charmed and the most Indifferent
aroused into enthusiasm.
THE OPENING SELECTION.
And first as to the numbers sung by
the society. The versatility of these
ladies and their ability were
quickly made evident. Bargiers IN
Spring" was the happily chosen OPEN
ing selection. No fairer symbolization
of springtime could be made than that
created by the stage picture of the So
ciety as they arose in obedience to
Conductor j. Alfred Pennington s
wand. The beauty of the picture was
preparative for the melody which
followed. In this and in every number
of the programme, the ladies evidenced
delicacy of phrasns, refinement of
expression, an intelligence of reading
and close sympathy with the several
themes.
For the completeness of their singing
they have to thank their own natural
and acquired abilities and the PAINS
taking work and remarkable skill of
the conductor Mr.. Pennington.
Miss Maud Morgan has played before
Scranton audiences heretofore but new
er has her harp spoken more truly than
it did last evening. In Hasselmann's
"LamentO," Miss Morgan displayed her
dramatic power in its full. To this,
| Godefroids "Danse des Sylphes" was
an admirable and blthesome foil.
FOR AN ENCORE.
Fairy Footsteps" by Hollaender,
| Raff's Departing Day" and Bargiels S
| Dragon Flies" comprised the gamut
of last evenings programme, and each
had its sharp individuality brought
out by the society. AS an encore Sc
lection, the society sang remarkably
beautiful arrangement of that tune
full theme, I'm Old Madrid" In this
the parts were given freer play than
in any other song of the evening The
sopranos added power to their fresh
ness and purity, and the contraltos evil
denced richness, which before had
not been so evident.
Mile. Alice Verlet fully justified the
| eXtFavagant expectations which many
had held concerning her method and
her voice. The former was simplicity
| in art, the latter a marvel. Both of
the numbers which she sang on her
first appearance, Hemunds "The
| Kiss" and Delibes' Les Files de
Cadiz" We're of the prevailing light
ness of theme. Mile. Verlet's charm
of manner was an added effect to the
completeness of her singing.
THE Spinning Song" was so persist
emily and rapturously applauded that
its repetition was necessary. Miss
Morgan won a new triumph by heI
playing of Autumn from 1.-The Sea.
sons" by Thomas. She has played this
in Scranton heretofore, but never bet.
ter than last night.
ADMIRABLY INTERPRETED.
Abt's ooh Lovely Night" Reiche',
"Who has the Prettiest Lambkins'
and Cadets Summer Night" were
themes which We're admirably inter
preted by the society.
Meyerbier's difficult SHADOW Song,
from "DinOrah," was sung by Mile
Ncrlet ard this created the creates
enthusiasm of the evening. To it's diff
ficulties Mile. Verlet superimpused
higher climatic note and then sans
the whole with as much ease and ex
preston as though it We're the simples
of ballads. OF course the house "ros,
at her" and Of course an encore re
suited.
The concluding selection was shared
in by Miss Morgan, Mile. Verlet anC
the society. 1t was Parker's "Th
Fisher" 1t was more a technical thar
an eXprcssional triumph but it's ever!
phrase and note was thoroughly en-
joyable. So enjoyable was it that, tn
audience remained sitting and ap
plauding for some little time after it
; conclusion.
The accompanist, Miss Charlott
. BlaCkman, did her eXaCting work fault
lessly. Beautiful bouquets were give
, over the footlights to Mile. Verlet, Mis-
Morgan and Mr.. Pennington.
; The Fanny Mendelssohn society wa
t organized last September and took 70
its motto art for Arts Sake" !
; was named after the sister of the com
; poser, Mendelssohn, who was hersel
p a composer of marked ability. Th
! society is composed of some of tn
+; best female singers of the city, and ha
; been rehearsing since its organlza
. tion under the direction Of Mr.. Pen
! nlnSton. 1t was his first appearance
= last night as conductor, and he ha
>, reason to feel proud of his triumph
and that of the society he conducts.
The officers of the society are Mis-
Susan Il. Dickinson, president; Mis-