The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-12-12

| The first popular concert of the St. Louis
| Choral-Synphony Society. at the Odeon last
| night. was one of the most delightful MI
| steal entertainments ever given in St. Louis.
The chorus. which appeared for the. hrst
time this season. more than fulfilled the
prediction thai the organization would BE-
stronger in this department than during any
season IN its history.
OF the training and general ensemble OF
the chorus too much praise cannot be given.
Besides. it sings not merely with correct
ness and strength. but with great musical
quality. n the effect produced il was as II
each Of the 500 voices We're a necessary part
Of the whole. The various parts Of the
chorus siI.s with an easy. swinging rhythm
which is impressive alike in climaXe OF
pianisSmos.
In the grand climax Of the prayer from
"Cavalleria Rusticana.' which was the last
number On the programme. the auditors
were elated with the magnificent volume OF
tone produced. over the organ and orches-
ira the chorus Numbered forth the har-
mony of the young Italian master. To say
the number was pleasing falls fat in ex-
pressing il. It was satisfying and even IN
spring.
FINE ORCHESTRAL EFFECTS
The orchestra fully carried out the
1AAs@ 80 ~ - - A-N t-A-b 'AAN~ = -
November g. The programme was calcu-
lated to display numerous fine effects which
were not heard at the first concert Director
Ernst has his string Instruments TO a point
of efficiency that pleaseS even him, and de-
lights the audiences which have heard
them.
A test of the admirable work Of this par.
Of the orchestra was in the second move
ment of a suite d'orchestFe by the French
composer Leconbe. The feature Of this
movement was a light. airy part for the
strings. in the performance of which mutes
were placed On the viol;ns. II surprised and
delighted the audience. which insisted Up
on its being encored-
TIL audience. which was made up largely
Of the ultra-music element of the city.
filled every seat in the Odeou, ard a fringe
of spectators lined the wall in the balcony
anc the entrances to the auditorium on the
lower floor. During the ~ntermisston crowds
thFonged the foyer. The chief topic amorg
the promenaders was the excellence OF the
concert.
SOLOISTS WELL GREETED.
Miss Adah A. Black. soprano. and Mrs. T.
A Bensberg, contralto, the s~oloists. met
with a hearty reception. Miss Black was
especially clever in her numbers with the
chorus. from Wagner's Flying Dutchman,"
chorus. from Wagner's Flying Dutchmen."
she sans the part of Senta with admirable
taste. Il would be hard to produce this
dainty chorus IN a more pleasing manner
than it vas sung by the women OF the
Symphony chorus.
It would be hard 70 make n selection be-
tween the bridal chorus, from "Lohengr1."
and the prayer. from "Cavalleria Rusti-
cana" two Of the chorus numbers, with
orchestra accompaniment. Both were ad-
mirabIy rendered, and with much greater
volume of tone than Is heard when pro-
duced By choruses of the opera companies
which come here.
Bridal Chorus were well brought out.
both by the chorus and orchestra. The only
criticism which could be made of the num-
Der was that the baSsns were somewhat lost
In the volume of female voices. In The Sc
lection from 'Cavalleria Rusticana'' the eff
feet was greatly enhanced by the organ ac-