The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-11-22
ARI0N CLUB CONCERT.


The audience that greeted the Arion
club and the worthy soloists who as
sisted it in the opening concert of the
season. al Infantry hall last evening,
was large one, and Vt was probably
as thoroughly satisfied gathering as
has ever assembled to hear the club
The Golden Legend" adapted from
the poem OF Longfellow by Joseph Ben
nett, music by Sir Arthur Sullivan, was
the PRINCIPAL number. The soloists
were Miss :. Marcia Crafts, soprano:
Miss Adah Campbell Hussey. contral-
to; Mr.. II. Evan Williams, tenor and
Mr.. Gwilym Miles. baritone.
Longfellow's poem OF THE Golden
Legend. Is one that Will ever have
many lovers. lt is an excellent and
deeply poetic tale of self-sacrifice
from the faraway mediaeval tones.
Every one who is familiar with the
work must have his own faVorite pas
sages. Mr.. Bennett has selected the
most dramatic parts, parts that give
the main outline of tale Of exquisite
beauty How well able TO adapt music
To the work. how thorough an observer
of the extreme sensitiveness therein
Sullivan might be all who recall his
sacred songs could easily see. There
ter here and the musician has given
force where necessary, but in soft,
soul-meltinR melody the work is rich
est. No grander idea could there be
than the motive of the story for, in it's
passion, sickness OF body and mind
melt away before the beauty Of hoH-
ness and self forgetfulness.
The work was produced by the Arion
last year. but If anyone doubted rep
etition OF the performance might not
be pleasing as some new work. such
an one would undoubtedly acknowledge
that last nights work, for thorough
satisfaction, could hardly be excelled.
II has been the custom, time andNtlme
again. season after season. for the
splendid AriOn chorus To give us the
benefit of its study and inteligen,
work Sometimes those best qualified
To judge have liked the work better,
have deemed IL more worthy OF tn
clubs reputation. but last night uhere
could be no difference of opinion-the
chorus never did itself more credit.
The result was an evening OF pleasure
for the lovers OF music. The soloists
were at their best. Their work in many
places was difficult. but the beauty or
the noble solo parts was all brought
out.
Mr.. Williams was in sulended voice
ami the beauty and fee'cF s ri ,X-
adapted 10 the part OF Prince Henry.
His singing of the solo from Gounod
Lend Me Your Aid" was very finely
received as it deserved very generous
recognition. The part Of Lucifcr is
difficult one 20 sing. Mr.. Miles was
heard I'm the pam last season and last
night ne repeated his brilliant success
of The former occasion. The solo of
Lucifer at the opening Of the fourth
scene captivated the audience ana at It's
close there was as great recognition
given Mr.. Miles as any one probably
ever received I'm the same hall. There
were other parts worthy OF equal conn
men alton. Miss Crafts work was SO
even 80 beautiful from a.0rt 10 finish
that those who awarded her work OF
last seagon the very highest praise were
'evcn more delighted with her than on
that occasion Her sympathetic voice
had a noble opportunity and if one part
more than another might be praised for
exquisite feelinS 20 was .tue sulo > eoln-.
ing My Redeem ana My Lord" Miss
Hussey sang for the nrrt tiua with The
Arion last evening. She was new
comvr that p, was delightful 10 see and
hear. Her singing oi the Ian =. and
those that follow Virgin. Who Lowest
the Poor ana Lowiy' IVES very sweet
and touching.
lt would be impossible without Civ
Inc too much attention To- detati 10
saw wherein the chorus was mOst
pleasing Dr 1ld Gee best work. The no.
ho final chorus though. las az gran
and satisfactory a. anything the club
has ever given.