Evening star., 1898-12-29
HANDEL's "MEssIAH.-
The Grand OratorfO Given by the
Choral Society.

The prevailing epidemic of grip had an
influence on the rendition of Handers ora
torio of THE Messiah" by the Choral
Society, which was given last evening in
the First Congregational Church. In the
first place it thinned out the chorus, a
number being unable to be present on ac-
count of sickness. and for the same cause
Miss Shannah Cummings, the sopran no solo,
ist, was obliged to send a substitute. The
chorus was, therefore, not as powerful in
volume as was expected and also at times
there seemed to be a tendency to drag.
However, the performance as whole,
whether considered from the standpoint of
the chorus work or that of the soloists,
was above the average OF those given by
the society in the past. This was the ninth
annual presentation of this oratorio by the
society in this city, and to lovers of the
music-and judging from the fact that
/ there was no vacant seats in the large
auditorium, and a number stood during
the entire evening, the interest has by no
means died out-the performance of the
society last evening was highly satisfac-
tory.
For several years past the only instru-
mental accompaniment at the concerts of
the society has been the organ, play ed
with much acceptability by Mr.. John Por-
ter Lawrence. Last evening Mr.. Lawrence
was effectively aided by DR.. Anton GloetZ-
ner, who played the chorus portions ON the
able difference in time between the singers
and the organ, but no doubt that was
largely attributable to the fact that the
instrument is located such distance from
the conductor. In the solo portions per-
haps greater accuracy in time could be
secured if the conductor occupied his usual
stand and marked the time.
The musical director of the society, Mr..
Josef kaspar, handled the baton, usual,
and the work of the chorus showed the
results of his conscientious efforts. There
was at times a failure to elicit prompt
response from the singers, which weakened
the force of the attack. When SO much Is
good, and where so much might have been
bad, 1t seems almost hyDercritical to call
attention to defects, which, after all, are
largely minor.
The work of Mr. Ericsson Bushnell,
which is always not only satisfactory. but
elicits the heartiest demonstration of ap-
proval, was no exception last evening. He
was in excellent voice. and his sweet,
powerful tones were heard with pleasure
in the grand as well difficult portions
assigned to the bass. and continued ap-
plause denoted the artistic as we'll as the
popular approval of the audience.
Mrs. Anna Taylor Jones. the contralto,
had the misfortune to be suffering from a
cold. but she sang her part nluckily, and
created a good impression by her appear
ance
Mrs. Sophia Markee of Boston, who came
as a substitute for Miss Shannah Cum
mings, the soprano, sang with accuracy,
but her voice lacked the sympathetic quail
ity which the soprano parts in this ora
torio demand.
The tenor soioist was Mr.. Nicholas Sc
bastian who has a strong, rather heavy
voice, and who sang with much fidelity.
The announcement is made that Verdis
"ManZoni Requiem will be sung February
% instead of March 4. The following SOLO
lists will assist: Katherine Hike. soprano;
Mary Louise Clary, alto; J. II. Mckinley,
tenor, and DIR. Carl Duff, basso.