Evening star., 1899-04-29
SINGERS AND SORE THROATS.
Some Experiences That the Choral
society Has Had With Artists.

The regular attendants at the concerts OF
the Choral Society feel quite disappointed
unless they find with their programs the
night of the concert an announcement that
one or more of the expected solo singers
have been unable to appear. 1t has got to
be quite a regular thing for such changes
to occur and a few of the subscribers occa-
sionally wonder whether the management
of the society is in any way responsible.
ANY one who sees the anxiety of the officers
in charge of the society's work just before
each concert knows what strain of eX-
pectation they are under OF uHWeicome tefe-
grams disarranging Well-laid plans. For IN
stance, at one of the concerts last year
there were three solOists, and one OF these,
twenty-four hours before the concert, sent
word that she could not come, while the
other waited until six hours in advance for
a like notice. Both Of these We're sore
throats
This year has made a complete record in
this respect. At the first concert the So
prano singer was sick in bed and sent a
substitute. At the second concert two of
the quartet were unable to come. RMS was
particularly unfortunate because the quar-
tet was selected for their familiarity with
the work, having sung Ferdfs Requiem a
number of times together, yet in spite or
this fact, the audience was greatly pleased
with the performance. The tenor an
nounced for that concert has been an
but has never yet sung with them, each
time sending an excuse about tWenty-four
hours before the concert. Yet the manage
ment of the society have undoubted evil
dence that in preparation for this last con-
cert he had kept himself under a very strict
regimen for over a week and had actually
refused other engagements so as to keep
his voice in good condition. 1t was report
ed that he was the maddest man in New
York" One contralto singer, Mrs. Anna
Taylor Jones, will always be remembered
with special gratitude. She caught Sc
we're cold and was not able TO sing, but not
only furnished a substitute, but came on
to Washington herself so that the officers of
the society could hear her speak and have
auricuar proof Of her inability to sing.
The third concert of the society for this
year makes a complete record for the sea-
son. Nine, Emma Juch, one of the most re-
liable of singers, who has never disappoint-
ed Washington audience, was engaged
and confidently expected, but on Wednes-
day telegram was received from her ply
sician that she was confined to her bed af-
ter surgical operation and could not
travel for two weeks. kilograms have been
for the last two days, and in order to pre-
vent any possible disappointment the So
ciety at large expense has secured Mile.
Marie Brema of the Metropolitan Opera
House, who sang the part of Brunnhi,de in
Die Walkure at its presentation by the
Grau Company here. There can be no pos
sible cause for dissatisfaction at this
change in spite of Nine. Juch's great popu-
larity here. Mile. Bremas special celebrity,
until within a very few years past. has
been in concert work She will sing a solo
and obligato with the chorus in Mendels.
sohns Hear My Prayer, the solo being the
familiar air, "Oh. for the Wings of Dove y
She Will also sing a number of Schumann's
Lieder, works in which she has won the
highest praise from the best critics.
--o-