The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-12-17
SACRED CONCERT
IN THE LYCEUM
A Great Audience Attended the Bene-
ft for the st. Joseph's Founding
Home-A Musical Treat.

ity at the sacred concert given last
Dight at the Lyceum for the benefit of
st. Josephs Founding Home. 1t was
one of the most delightful feasts Of
music Scranton has been treated to in
many a day.
The first part of the programme was
given under the direction of Prof. w.
p. Schilling. musical director Of the
Cathedral choir, and was participated
in by the choir members and G. Rep
pert. The second part was directed by
John r.. Watkins, and comprised selec-
tions by some of the best local soloists
and a. chorus selected mainly from
among Mr.. Watkins pupils. Bauer's
orchestra, augmented by the violins of
Miss Harriet Ward Richard r. Weis n
fluh and Fred Widmayer, and with
Miss Florence Richmond and Lew
Jones as organist and pianist, rendered
the accompaniments.
The numbers We're all classic and
mostly ecclesiastical, and rendered in II
manner that was most creditable. The
chorus work reflected great credit upon
the respective directors.
The audience evidenced especial pleas
ure at the opening number. "Bene-
is seldom Scranton audience hears
number rendered by chorus that Is
drilled by the composer himself, and
was not slow on this occasion to show
it's appreciation of the treat The first
movement of the CimarOsa Gloria
and "Et In Spiritum" of the same COM
poser followed, the bass solo being ad-
mirably rendered by w. r. Bradbury.
CSln ~
the Cathedral choir. sang the Nicalao
"Laudamus Te" in excellent voice and
the concluding numbers were Sane
ia Maria" SchweitZer, and an "Adeste
Fidels." arranged by Professor Schill-
ing. these latter two being rendered by
the Cathedral male chorus, assisted by
G. Reppert, and directed by Professor
Schilling.
The second part opened with spir-
tied rendition of the Handel "Hallelu-
iah Chorus" by Bauer's orchestra, with
Miss Richmond as pianist. Mr.. Wat
kins' chorus then made it's appearance
and in it's rendition of the "Sanctus'
from Gounod's st. Cecilia mass, sur
passed even the most sansuine eXpec-
tations. Every member of the chorus
is either a soloiSt who has won place
among the first rank of local musi-
clans or else a promising pupil who
only awaits Mr.. Watkins finishing cul-
ture to step forth and take Il place in
this coveted rank.
The solo in the first number was
committed to Joshua John and he ac-
Quilted himself of the part in his usual
commendable style.
What in itself would doubtless be
voted by the audience ii more than suf-
fcient recompense for the evenings e%-
penditure was the solo and chorus rem
dered upon the second appearance of
Mr. Watkins singers. 1t was Men,
delssohns beautiful paintive Hear
My Prayer" with Mrs. Joseph O'Brien
as solOiSt Much to the regret Of
Scrantons music lovers Mrs. O'Brien
permits herself to be heard in public
very seldom. In those who heard her
last night this regret will be all the
deeper and more lasting. TO say that
she was in excellent voice and TO cal!
attention to the chorus which assisted
and the instrumentalists who accom-
panied, is all sufficient to describe the
treat to Scrantonians.
The Watkins singers also closed
the programme with Gounod num-
ber. Noel" in which the solo parts
we're admirably sustained by two of
Scranton's leading young soloists.
Miss Martha Matthews, soprano, and
Miss Alice Burke, contralto, both pu-
pills of MIR. Watkins.
Miss Burke was also heard in a solo
number. % Rest in tn: Lord from
Mendelssohn's "Elijah," Il difficult Sc
lection. and one that would be the
more difficult to IL singer not gifted
with such Hawless. flexible and we'll
controlled voice as that of which Miss
Burke is the happy possessor.
"Creation's Hymn" Beethoven. and
''By the Waters of Babylon" Howell
We're numbers which gave full scope
to the display of the marvellously
rich full tones of Miss Isabel ..
Clalk's magnificent contralto voice.
With no perceptiblc effort she re-
sponded perfectly ana gracefully to
every demand of the varied range and
difficult passages of these two exact
ing selections, and had not the mo en-
core" announcement been ccnfron.-
in the audience it is safe to say It
would be far from content to permit
her to Withdraw with Il single bow
of acknowledgment.
The soprano solo, Torrente's "ShOw
Me Thy Ways" by Miss Kate Mon
gan, of Dunmore, was in keeping with
the universal excellence of the pro-
srumme. Miss MonSan's voice Is un-
usually strong but none the less sweet
and, at will, subject to the most deli
cate modulation. Miss Mongan has
not often been heard by Il Scranton
audience, and was heard by many for
the first time last night. Her mama
ON "A programme hereafter will be to
them the assurance of musical treat.
Mr.. Watkins rendering of the Holy
City" with the anthem sung sottD
voce in the wings by the chorus, was
one of the delights of the evening
John w. Jones, in Dudley Bucks my
Redeemer and My Lord" ami Da"id
stephens in Faure's palms" fur
nished. as might be expected two most
excellent numbers, and bit of variety
was lent to the programme by the rem
dition of Lead Kindly Light" and
"The Sweet BY and BY" by quar-
tette as popular locally as the songs are
I'm a wider field, the celebrated ,hu-
berts.
The management of the concert de-
sire to tender their thanks to the manv
persons who so generously assisted in
making it the success 1t was.
The busy shoe stores of Lewis &
Reilly will be open this evening and
every evening until after the holidays.
Newest card engraving. Reynolds Bros