The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-12-03
THE ARI0N
CLUB SINGS
"EL|JAH I"
Mende|ssohn's 0ratorlo SpIen-
dldIy Rendered by So|olsts,
Chorus and Orchestra.

That Providence Is musically benlghlsed
Just because II has been neglectful with
respect to the Boston Symphony orchestra
Is a proposition that may be properly. II
not profitably discussed. But that Provi-
dence Is musically loyal to Its own was
amply demonstrated by the remarkable
attendance at Infantry hall last evening
on the occasion Of the inauguration of
the 2sd annual season OF our own Arion
club. .
The hall was simply filled up, floor,
sides and galleries. Dr. Jordan in the
crows nest, from which he directs his
big chorus and soloists and instrument
alists and grand organ, must have felt as
proud OF his audience as he has reason
to be of his fine singing society. There
was nothing in the spectacle that was
spread around him to indicate that Provi-
dence Is hard up for musical culture,
whatever the experience OF the Boston
Symphony orchestra on whose account
some OF us have been scolding the rest
OF us lately On the contrary. much
greater extension OF our evident musical
culture would simply require the build
ing OF a bigger hall for the Arion club.
mo one" prominent authority. critic
and observer of matters musical has OBJ
served, would go far astray who should
estimate the extent and sincerity OF a
community's musical culture by the
number OF It's chorus singers" BY such
an enumeration il Is clear that the folks
who have been complaining about Provi-
dence must find some other solution than
lack OF appreciation and sincerity In
things musical when this town falls TO
support any particular aggregation. The
proportion between the big chorus on
the stage last evening and our total popu-
lation Is certainly resssuring.
Elijah is a tremendously finc thing
for the opening of season. The big
oratorio affords just the sort OF material
TO show off the aggregation TO the high
est advantage. III is strenuous, intensely
dramatic richly varied. The Arion club
sang II AS though IL was used to its work
as indeed II Is The big tempestuous
chorusses were delivered with a splendid
swing Asd the finer shad.ngs were ac-
complished with no loss of authority or
cleanliness OF finish. Perhaps the club
never before sang quite so we'll Certain
ly. to the large and enthusiastic audience
the organization never appealed so
strongly. To the massive whole. DR.. Jor-
dams collection OF instrumentalists and
Mr.. Arthur H. Ryder at the organ con-
tr.buted highly creditable share
Chorus. solois,s. musicians. under Dr.
Jordan's baton, swung through the grand
| old work without the faintest suspicion
OF a lapse. IL was really glorious per-
formance.
As 10 the soloists. the audience was
simply spontaneously enthusiastic over
| them as number after number or the old
| familiar score was sung. the rich and
| exquisite music with it's many examples
| OF lively execution and it's amazing va
| riety OF emotions and passions, from the
most solemn themes OF devoutness and
! worship and humility To- the tremendously
| acornftii things and the hurricane ex-
pressions OF the mighty old prophets
| rage. The principal sooists were Miss
Margaret Lemon. soprano; Miss Gertrude
| Edmands. contralto dearly liked OF
| Providence audiences: Mr.. William n.
| Rieger. tenor, and Mr.. Gwllym Miles barr
| tone. The supplementary quartet was
! composed Of Mrs. Irene Ssndish. So
| prano; Miss Lucy Carpenter. contraito;
| M. Derrick Schoss. tenor, and Mr.. Rob-
ert Pollard bass.
| II was OF course Mr. Miles opportunity
| The title role ls n big part in this ora
torio. II would stage we'll. II the oratoric
| we're made In dramatic production. The
| numbers assigned 20 Elijah run the gamut
| of n long list OF human emotions and mu.
sically are Invariably strong and engag.
ing MIR. Miles isn't very big fellow
I'm physical cubits but before he had got
far along with Elijah last evening, hs
was filling the whole stage. He sang SUI
pcrbly and with consummate dramaus
erect
| Altoge her Il was q great night for tn,
| Arion club and a great night for mu.
season is brilliant. None OF the clubs
q preceding seasons. We should say. evel
had better start from the point ol
view either of the musical performanc.
or the public reception thereof.