Evening star., 1899-03-01
AMUSEMENTS.

THE CHORAL SOCIETY.-The Congre-
gational Church was filled last night with
an audience that not only occupied every
seat, but nearly all the available standing
room The occasion was the performance
by the Choral Society of Verdi's ''Reouiem
Mass" a composition one of the most
majestic and impressive In the whole range
or ecclesiastical music. Although this work
has been sung in nearly all the musical
cities, 1t had never been presented in Wash
ington until last night, and on that account
It's production excited considerable interest
The Choral Society employed about 20O
Nelces ana sang with a precision and beauty
Oh phraslng that equaled, if not SURPASSED
any OF its former efforts. It's friends have
every reason to be proud of its perform
ance, which reflected the highest credit
upon the careful and Intelligent training it
received from its conductor Prof Josef
kaspar. In all the choral numbers tbe
work was of an almost perfect character
ana the society's support of the ouartet
was up 10 the highest standard. Perhaps
the number which was most effective NO @
the double chorus "Sanctus" which eIicifed
the most emphatic applause although in
delicacy of shading as well as in volume oP
tone the society appeared to excellent ad-
vantage in the "Dies irae" numbers botb
those entirely choral and those as accon1-
pantment to the quartet
The society has had during its whole
career troubles with its soloists. Hardly a
performance has been given in which those
originally engaged have appeared. Last
nlght Nine. Louise Clary and Mr. J. RI
mckinley both failed at the last moment
on account OF throat difficulty, but the sub
stituteS sent We're thoroughly satisfactory.
mrs Morris Black proved herself a con-
tralto OF good power and compass and sang
her numbers with musicianly spirit. Mr'
l. e ToWne is well known here and has
sung for the Choral Society before. aIwa We
acceptably. and those who heard his ex
ceileht work last night, particularly his
SOLO Ingemlsco. tanquam reus," were
rather thankful that Mr.. Mckinley did not
come. Mr.. Towne's singing is always en-
Joyable. for he reaches his high notes with
out effort and delivers them with artistic
effect DIR: Carl Duff was not a stranger
mere. and his work last night increased the
favorable impression he had heretofore Gre
ated. To voice rich and resonant in quail
lily he adds the evidence of careful culture
and intellectual Interpretation of the work
he sings. Miss Katherine Hike was the
soprano. and was the recipient of FREQUENT
applause for her work
BROWNS IN TOWN.''-Brown is conn
ing to town. OF course there are many
members OF the Brown family IN Washing
ton at the present time. but this particular
Brown will arrive for the first time in this
city next Monday evening and will receive
visitors during the entire coming week at
the Columbia Theater. The mission of
this particular Brown is to spread a gen.
and he does this through the medium of an
Intensely humorous farce-comedy, entitled
Browns 1T Town" Brown was discover
ed, together with two other exceptionally
interesting characters. by Mark e Swan,
a young author of considerable talent and
was introduced 10 the public by Manager
). j. Rosenthal, under whose direction
Brown will visit Washington The piece
was originally produced In the west some
fourteen weeks ago, and has enioyed an
exceptionally successful tour across the
country on its way east. According to the
criticisms that have been written regarding
II, the author deserves credit for eliminate
ing several time-worn characters which are
usually found in comedies of this descrip-
tion and substituting in their places several
absolutely new ones. One of these new
characters is colored cook lady" PLAYED
by Miss Belle Davis, whose chief ambition
| is to preserve her spotless reputation and
keep even with her wages. Another one
| is young German heiress in search of her
| affinity" and both are said to be reyela-
/ tions in the laugh-making line In the cast
\ the Columbia next week are two former
| favoritessof Washington theater-goers, Jas
| o. Barrows and John Lancaster, who won
| a most enviable place for themselves in the
/ affections OF the Washington public during
| the late stock company season. Others are
Anna Belmont and Katherine Osterman,
/ who will be remembered for their clever
work in What Happened to Jones'" when
| that piece was first presented here. The
author, Mark E Swan. will play the lead