Worcester morning daily spy., 1898-02-02
"THE PRoDloAL SON.
A Good Performance and the Last of the
Series at Pilgrim Church.

Sir Arthur Sullivan's oratorio, "The
Prodigal Son." was well sung by the
chorus under j. Vernon Buffers direc-
ton, at Pilgrim Church, Tuesday night.
The snow that stopped the street cars
interfered with attendance, but under
the circumstances it was testimonial
to the merit of these concerts that the
house was as large as it was.
''The Prodigal Son" Is melodious mus
ic, clothed with the odor of sanctity.
eminently decorous in it's conduct and
orthodox in it's merits and manners 1t
is not a striking work, but en- the whole
it is perhaps unsteady the most inter-
esting of the series given. Surely there
| is no intention here to dispaTage the
scholarship of Spohr's oratorio, but as
has been before remarked, it Is quite out
of date, The chorus sang with much
precision, with good volume and with
excellent attention to the conductors
intentions as to dynamics. 1t is a just
cause for local pride that an emergency
chorus for that, after all, is its char
acter) can take up their work so handi-
ly and achieve such satisfactory results
under conductor who is for the most
part stranger to them. The tenors
especially distinguished themselves on
this occasion by their strength and
firmness. The persistent rahearsals nee
essary to attain success are a demand
upon the time and the exertions of the
individual that would hardly be en-
dured without the spur of enthusiasm
and love for the art
The soloists seemed an urcommonly
harmonious quartet, and the lovely
quartet, 1.-THE Lord is nigh unto them"
was one of the most delightful events
of the concert. Mrs. j. w. Mitchell, So
prano, sang with her accustomed ease,
tunefulness and understanding. Mrs
Antonio H. Sawyer the contralto, sang
Love not the world in good voice and
with such sentiment and finish as de-
note the well-bred artist Her voice is
pleasant and satisfying without suggest
Ing especial richness, and she has it un-
der admirable control, so that she in
spires confidence and gives the idea of
reserved force. Mr.. P C. w. Dufault,
the tenor, again warranted the agreea-
bic expectations that one has become
accustomed to from him. His delivery
of the air, Father, give me the por-
tion,'' was very effective. 1t was al
ways pleasure to hear Mr. j. H. CAT
ferty's fine mellow bass voice, even
though the part at times ranged uncom-
fortably high for him. He sang with
judicious feeling and with a refinement
that argues good training
Before the oratorio Mr.. Butler at the
organ and Miss Ruth E. Nelson at the
piano, played Claimants 'Marche Tri-
omphale," an attractive work that was
we'll done. This precocious young girl
deserves a word for the accuracy and
intelligence which she with the expert
enced and reliable Mr.. Grout at the or
gam has played the accomplishments
for the chorus at each Of these con-
certs. A "Jubilate Deo'' of Mr.. But
ler's composition was sung by Mr.. Du-
fault and chorus. This is a highly
creditable piece of workmanship, show
ing a ready command of musical tech
nique It is interesting melodically as
well as harmonically, and both soloist
and chorus sang it finely. Mr.. j. n.
Truda played Gounod's t'Iy1nn to st.
Cecilia" very we'll, particularly at the
climax. Mr.. Butler and Miss Nelson
were the accompanies. Mr.. Cafferty
did some Of his best work in the solo Of
Gounod's Nazareth" and the chorus
sang its score with very taking con-
trasts Of light and shade
Mrs, Sawyer made her first appear
ance In Massenet'S characteristic "Pen-
see dAutomne," which afforded some
opportunity to appreciate the beauty Of
her execution as well as the distinct
ness Of her French enuneiation. 1t was
a nice piece Of work, but obviously it
was not in its proper environment. 1t
would be hard, indeed, if q singer were
to be brought on from New York mere
| ly to sing single solo from Sir Arthurs
oratorio. So much by way of conces-
| sion to prima donna.
Mr.. Butler deserves more than a
passing notice of thanks for his en-
ergy and enterprise in carrying on this
series Of concerts. 1t has been a. source
of pleasure and musical profit, and
many will rejoice to hear of the move
ment started for a repetition of "The
Prodigal Son.