The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-12-22
1.-THE MESSIAH"
Splendidly Rendered by AriOn Club
Last Evening.
Large Audience Listened TO the Oratorio
In Infantry Hall.

The second concert Of the season by the
Arion Club was given last evening at In
fantry hall ana a very large audience was
In attendance to hear the club sing the
ever popular oratorio.of The Messiah by
Handel. The club was assisted by Mrs.
Georg Henschel, soprano; Mrs. Josephine
S. .Jacoby, contralto; Mr.. Frederick
Smith. tenor; and Mr.. Myron w. Whit
ney, bass. and an orchestra composed Of
Boston symphony players.
For more than a century and half
men ana women have listened To, and ad-
mired the grand music of this oratorio.
1t fasciDates and charms the human heart
of today as IL did long ago, just as the
story upon which IL is founded has held
the minds Of mankind for so many cen
turies. Written In the deepest spirit OF
reverence rs becomes the great topic with
which IL deals, and grand although IL 10
at times TO the point Of sublimity, there
are imperfections that seem but TO bring
into stronger lief It's grand and soul
overpowerinR choruses. Perhaps its slight
imperfectiOns have been incidents OF its
popularity for the people have not yet
reached that perfection when all things
must b, upon the perfect plane.
Tho oratorio is grand, the delightful
instrumental parts, the great choruses
carrying us willingly ana irresistibly
along and the thrilling solo parts at one
time bidding US to understand all the JOY
of promise, but with the slight shadow
OF the sorrow TO come, the plaintive aud
the sad recitative telling OF the griefs,
the most woeful because th3 most I'M
deserved I'm the st ry of oil mans life
upon earth. and first the triumph of the
sufferer ana then through Him our own
triumph. lead Us captive as ever the minds
OF children are led captive 10y fairy princes.
The fairy princes are only creations OF
an imagination. but the story OF hope,
suffering and final triumph is convincing
OF its truth and on the sea OF its every
vary ing music we float away in our feel
ings Upon sea OF Irresistible harmony.
Some parts of the oratorio are better
known TO the majority OF music lovers
chorus, known as the "Halleluia iah
Chorus, that grand song of praise OF
which IL was long ago said 10 appealed
alike To the devoted musician as it did TO
the unoultured. We are transported by
its praise and the grandeur of Its promise
is upon us. but we are led back again to
consider all that the promise means, how
rich the return for the glorious palm OF
victory in the soprano air, II know that
NV hedeemer liveth, the narrative Of
the individual resurrection of tue triumph
through Christ. Beautifully is all this
the most caressing sweetness and leads
irresistihlv TO the final chorus of love and
acknowledgment that seems to make us
feel rs il we had entered into the under
standing Of those beauties that the eye
hath not seen nor the ear heard. Well do
we go out with new life and inspiration,
convinced as far as IL is possible to he
from the sweet fragrance Of the story, OF
tho beauty of holiness and of self-forget-
fulness not written foi us in letters OF
gold, but in melody softer and sweeter
than any other earthly thing for the great
Amen sings and sings in our ears. We
are not children and we are more than
our ordinary selves.
Noble as the work is. grand and worthy
was last nights performance. Like the
Just man the Arion clubs work requires
but little to be- said OF Ii and last evening
it was at its best The chorus was grand
and forceful when REQUIRED and in tna
softer parts many times 1t reached an cx-
quisite beauty that has seldom been sur
passed.. In attack IL was certain even il
I'm the opening nun bers there might be
room for desire of more strength and
zest
Tne soloists were thoroughly satisfactory
Mrs Henshels singing OF the soprano
part was artistic ana sympathetic and she
gave to its beauty an attention that won
generous recognition. Mrs. Jacoby Of
New York was one OF the marked sue
cesses of the evening. Her ricn voice.
her easy and gracious manner and her
pleasing appearance, as well as the cor-
roctness of her singing, Will make her
ever "A welcome vocalist at the Arion club
in the future should the club
BE- so fortunate as to secure her services
again. Mr.. Smith the tenor, has rich
voice. His ease in singing showed great
power in reserve even In the III fficult part
which he had TO take. Mr.. Whitney,
dean OF oratorio music IA he is won
marked expression Of tho audiences ap-
proyal and his artistic manner deserved
it.
The orchestra accentuated the differ
ence between the players OF great or
ganization and the organization as
whole, but the accompaniments were
good as we'll as the interiudes. though the
soloists had moments of wonderment.