The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-02-04
THE PHILHARMONIC CONCERT.
a Large Audience at the Columbia
ENJOYS 81 Good Programme.

The excellence of the programme and
harmonic Orchestra united to bring out
large sized audience at the Columbia
Theatre last evening, on the occasion of
the second of the seasons series of con
certs. The previous appearance of Direc-
tor Santelmann and his forces emphasized
the fact that he had really superior or
ganization, capable of interpreting the
masters as we'll as any of the more i'm
portant orchestras of the country, and all
that was needed was the support of the
public In this effort to place the Phil
harmonics upon a solid financial basis the
local lodge OF Elks came to the assistance
of the management of the orchestra and
not a little credit for the good sized
gathering of last night must be given to
the members of he fraternal order.
The programme of the second concert
differed from its predecessor in that while
it contained what are usually called
classical selections, the music was of a
more generally popular character. The
performance of the orchestra evidenced
much hard work since the first concert,
while Mr.. Santelmann showed a firmer
authority and surer hand in directing
his men. In the 'Tannhauser" overture
work of the musicians was particularly
excellent. The discipline OF the band has
greatly improved. II is much more home
ogeneous than it was, and while it ma
turally has some few weak points COM
mon to new organizations, they are such
as may be readily remedied by time More
brilliancy and sorority of tone might be
desired, but a force the size of the Phil
harmonics cannot be drilled to state
of absolute perfection in a short while,
and the utmost recurrence. = orchestral
playing cannot be got out of bo y -
strings in a few months practice The
Washington orchestra by its two concerts
has forced its way to the foremost of
similar organizations that have been
heard in the Capital Of late years. and has
done even better than many of its sup
porters thought possible. II accorded the
financial assistance it deserves there Is no
doubt but that the local musicians will
give performances as meritorIous as those
of the Boston, New York, or Pittsburg
orchestras. neither of which boasts of a
membership superior to the local Phil
harmonics.
Mr.. Santelmann's name appeared on last
nights programme as the composer of
one of the selections played by the CT
chestra. 1t was a caprice entitled Loves
Message a dainty. graceful and rhyth-
metical bit of writing and was granted
one Of the most enthusiastic encores of
the evening
Mrs. H. C. Browning was given a recall
for her singing of the mad scene from
Hamlet" and precipitated her voice from
the artistic heights of the Thomas music
TO that favorite of the vaudeville per-
formers. THE Holy City" TO the evident
satisfaction OF the audience.
What proved to be a real sensation was
the singing of Mr. Charles A. Rabold an
instructor at the Peabody Institute. Bal
timore He rendered the Evening Star"
from "Tannhauser." with admirable lyric
effect and displayed a baritone of
remarkable richness and purity, and with
that peculiar quality that appeals with
strong force to the auditor. His singing
was marked with an intelligent expression
and phrasins, and even in the simple Scotch
ballad 'Leezie Lindsay" which he used
for an encore, he evidenced a thorough
schooling in the better methods of voice
culture There are few such excellent
voices heard nowadays on the concert or
operate stage, and it seems pity that
such an organ should be lost in the wear
ing task of the instructor. Mr.. e II.
DrOop accompanied Mrs Browning and
Mr. Rabold In their encore numbers
An interesting incident that occurred
just before the final selection on the pro-
Pramme was the presentation OF n 1rWeled
Elks' badge to Mr.. santelmann by Exalted
Ruler Shine. on behalf of the members
OF the Washington Lodge Of Elks.
The programme was as follows:
Overture-''T annhauser'' ................. Wagner
Soprano solo-Scene ct air d'Ophelie (nad
scene) from "HamleU' ............. Thomas
Mrs. II. c. Browning.
Suite de ballet-'Feramors' ..-........ Rubinstein
l. Allegro moderate.
IT, Allegretto
Ill ListesSo tempo ct moderate con moto
" Allegro yivace assai.
"Aunorderrng yum TAM ...... Weber W engarten
Baritone solo-"O Thou sublime Sweet Even
ing Star (''Tannhauscr'0 ,......... Wagner
Mr. Charles A. Rabold
Elcge for strings. Busch
Cauriccioso-'Heart's Message .Santemann
Hungarian Rhapsody No 2"............... List