Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-05-19
oRAToRIols SUNG.
GAULs HOLY CITY" RENDERED
BY COMBINED CHOIRS.

Alfred r. Gaurs cratic, 1.-THE Holy
City," was sung last evening at Ep-
worth NJ. e. Church by the combined
choirs OF that church and ST. Johns p.
r. Church. of Portsmouth. The spa
cious auditorium of Epworth Church
was filled both in the pit and balcony
by music loving folk of Norfolk and
Portsmouth.
There has not perhaps been sung in
Norfolk Il more beautiful oratorio than
this of Gaufs. 1t is Scriptural entire
~ with the exception of an anthem
from Milton and three verses from the
TIE Deum. The quality OF the music is
the highest type OF the dramatic de-
votional. The opening is cuntemplative
and reflective, like. indeed, is the great
er part OF the oratorio. 1t was suggested
by the Scriptural reference to the Con
tinuing City" and the kingdom of God,
and the author, in the longing contem-
plation of that kingdom, cries out in
the words of one of the songs OF David:
My soul Is athirst for God; yea, even
for the living God" etc. There is
Joyous and gladstone air. AMI hopeful
prophecy of the wonders and glories Of
this Holy City" further on built upon
the Scripture: Eye hath not seen; ear
hath not heard"
In the second part the desires and
promises contained in the opening are
realized in passages from Revelations
lsiah and other books. viz: 'They shall
hunger no more. neither thirst any
more; neither shall the sun light on
them. nor any heat"
The combined choirs under the able
direction OF Mr.. A. Il. Koerner, organ
list and choirmastcr at Epworth, had re-
hearsed the music together and were
able to render the oratorio fawless
Both choirS numbered some so odd ncr-
sons The parts were sung with that
eNpressiveness and earnestness that
have made these two chors number
among the best in the State and in the
South.
The difficult meZzo- soprano and con-
tralto parts were held up by talented
voices, and the bass tenor. alto, treble
and soprano was sung by we'll fitted
and trained chorists.
lRefnro the singing of the oratorio. an
anthem. The Lord is My Rock" was
rendered by Mr.. John *. Lawrence, or
ganist and choirmaster OF St Johns.
who wrote this piece.
Mr.. Lawrence also sang another an
them entitled Rolling and Foaming
Billows."
Those who participated in the rendi-
ton of the oratorio were:
Epworth Church, Mr. ~. f. Toerner,
a. q. o., MISUNDERSTANDING: Miss
Mary *. Ewell. Mrs. S. Il. Pattee. Mrs.
s. c. Dey, Miss Jones. Mrs. II. S. Bal
ley. Mrs. C. w. Fentress. Miss Louise
Cowles. Mrs. r. C. Tupman.
Alto-Mrs. George w. Bethel, Mrs.
w. r.. Butcher, Miss 8. Louise Will
liams. Miss Eva Davis
Tenor-W. +. Lumlcy. II. c. Dodson.
w. II. Butcher r. c. Tupman, w. ].
Rand. Jr., j. f. Dashiell. II. r. Bosley.
Bass-J. I. Jenkins. ]. w. Hustled, w.
d. Walters. w. l.. Weis. j. II. Thayer,
Walter busch. Harry Butt.
st. Johns Church, Mr.. John X. Law
renee. oirmastcr-Soprano Mrs. A.
IS. Porter, Miss l.. NJ Warren. Mrs.
Gatewood. Miss l.. Foreman, Miss S.
Wilson, Mrs. r. Watson. Miss NJ. Por-
ter.
Alto-Miss Alice ]. oliver. Miss V.
Barker. Mrs. a. w. Maupn. Miss A.
Owen.
Tenor-C. S. Marble. Mr.. Ford, B.
Holland, r. Watson.
Baiss-A. S. Porter, V. Proctor. ].
Drew. G. King. II. C. Latane, II. Vir-
nelson.
The Holy City" will be sung again
by these choirs next Thursday evening
at st. Johns, Portsmouth.