The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-02-19
THE HOME CONCERT.

The beautiful stage of the Lyceum has
never presented more attractive appear
ance than last evening greeted the audi
ence when the curtain was lifted and re-
Nealed a pretty grouping of the entertain
ers of the Home for the Friendless bene-
fit. The broad expanse was decorated
with lavish display of palms and bios
SONS of plants artistically placed by
Clark, the florist. Handsome draperles
In olive and pomplion red hung at the
doorways and a window effect softly hid
den by rich lace and brocade gave a
charming distance in the background
Handsome chairs and divans scattered
here and there were occupied by the vo-
calists OF the evening This elegance OF
setting and arrangement of the stage
were the work of Sebecker e. Watkins,
who spent most of the previous day in
completing the elaborate details.
The singers were attired in evening
dress, many wearing white and the pic
ture AFFORDED was something decidedly
unlike the convention concert scene.
The body of the house was scarcely
less attractive, glowing as it was with
many bright evening costumes in boxes,
loges and pit. 1t was an audience to in
spire less talented array of performers
than those whose names appeared on the
programme, representing as 1t did, the in
telligent discrimination of the first circles
the city. The Home for the Friendless is
pet charity in sore straits and the en-
tertainers are no less favorites among all
music lovers of the region, so it is not
surprising that an aggregation seldom
seen at "a concert filled the house.
The programme, which has before been
noticed in these columns, was of high
order and was so admirably arranged as
to suit the most critical as well as the one
who simply knows what he likes" Mr..
John n. Watkins was the director and
general manager and the results of the
weeks of hard work were amply shown
in the smoothness and finish which char
acterized every number. Few glees have
been heard to such excellent effect as
those with which began the vocal part
of the concert. They were spirited and
brllian in character THE Skylark,"
robin Hood" with Schubert's "Who Is
Sylvia?" and the quaint part song, "Dck-
ory Dickory Dock" sang by such voices
as made up the list of Vocalists could hut
be a treat.
The soprano singers were Mrs Joseph
O'Brien Miss Cordelia w. Freeman, Miss
Susie Black Miss Lydia Sailer and Mrs.
Lizzie Hughes Brundage, all well known
soloists. The contraltos were Miss Mar
garet Jones. Miss Ida Garagan, Mrs.
M. j. b. Williams, equally prominent in
vocal circles. The tenors were Messrs.
Alfred Wooler Tom Beynon, David
Stephens, Edwin Bower with Messrs.
John W. Jones, Moses B. Morgan, Morris
T.. Thomas, Philip Thomas, Ralph Will
Jams as basso singers Miss Florence IL.
Richmond was the pleasing accompanist.
Bauers orchestra played the overture at
the beginning with a swing and enthusi-
aSm that We're contagious. Their brief
part of the programme was much en-
joyed.
Miss Cordelia Freeman, the soprano So
loist, added to her laurels last evening
with her exquisite solo, "Viianelle." The
fine acoustic properties of the building
afforded her many admirers a much
wished for opportunity of hearing her to
the best advantage The wonderful feX-
ibility and absolute accuracy OF her tones
were never more noticeable than on this
occasion. As an encore she sang the
Harris Lullaby, which many having pre-
Viously heard given by her were desirous
of having repeated. The great range and
particularly the exceptional quality in
her pianissimo tones were marked in this
selection.
1t were impossible to say that one solo
ist stood in higher favor than another,
but none was received with more enthusi-
asm than Miss Allen in her violin num-
bers. The Gipsy Dance was played with
all the fire sand abandon that charac-
teriZes her work of this description. The
rarely lovely Eucere. IA lullaby by God
ard probably touched and pleased her
audience even more than the difficult
and most brilliantly executed Sorasate
number, which held marvellous beauty
in the oft-repeated theme containing rich
thrilling tones similar to certain strains
on a cello. Miss Allen and Miss Free
man were accompanied on the piano by
Miss Blackman.
Perhaps no part of the concert was
more enjoyed than the dramatic and fas-
..fn ffN,sr TnfA 1NVr At
Messrs. John II. Watkins and Alfred
Wooer. The three splendid voices blend
ed beautifully and the selection was
heartily encOred.
Mr. j. Willis Conant's piano solo was
one of the gems Of the evening, played
with beauty of technique and con-
scientious Interpretation which so en-
hances a Schumann composition.
Much regret was felt that Miss Tim
herman was unable, because of illness, TO
fill her place on the programme.
10 Mrs. +. +. Chamberlin is largely
due the excellent results of last nights
performance. She has labored inde-
fatigably for weeks in the interest of the
entertainment and together with the
finance committee, of which she is chair
man, is to he congratulated. The finance
committee is composed of Mrs. Il. Il.
Chamberin, Mrs. c. b. Scott, Mrs. ]. L.
Carmalt, Miss Shannon, Mrs. ]. l.. Con-
ness, Mrs. w. w. Watson. Mrs. F.. w.
Mason Mrs. N. Y. Leet, Mrs. III. NJ. Boies,
Mrs. Ben Dimmick
The programme which so pleased the
patrons of the concert is a credit to the
energy of Mrs Chamberin and Mrs. c.
Il. Scott.
The managers of the Home wish to ac-
knowledge their most heartfelt thanks to
all who have aided in making the con-
cert success To the artists, without
whose valuable services the concert would
have been impracticable, to Messrs. L.
i. Powell & Co., who supplied the beau
tiful Chickering piano, and at whose
hands many other kindnesses were re-
ceived to Sebecker & Watkins, for drap-
cries and furniture and artistic stage ar
rangements; to G. r. Clark, for decora-
tions; to the managers of the Lyceum; to
Messrs German, William Price & Son, j.
C. Warner and Neville, for carriages fur
nished; to the press for the many cour-
tesies received at its hands, and to all
others who so generously contributed
time, talents or money to make the con-