The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-12-13

THE CHORAL CONCERT.

Another epoch has been marked In the
history of musical Wichita. y large,
highly appreciative audience and a mag
nificently rendered program serve TO
make memorable the first grand concert
of the Wichita Choral Club at the Toler
last Thursday evening. This concert will
live in memory as being highly enjoyable
from an aesthetic as we'll as from an
artistic standpoint The flashing of the
lights after the curtain had been raised
in Stygian darkness revealed the fun
chorus Of about 100 members. banked
compactly, the white of the ladies dresses
contrasting effectively with the black
worn by the gentlemen. Arranged in
front Of the chorus were the ten members
of the Hungarian orchestra, OF New York.
who assisted the chorus.
The first number on the program. THE
William Tell Overture" was rendered by
the orchestra in a manner very accept
able TO the audience. judging from the
number OF encores insisted upon. This
number was not a success from stand
point of volume but was otherwise ef-
fectual II is homogeneous. TO say the
least. to hear the erstwhile catchy but
now threadbare strains of "Hiawatha.
and pieces of similar stamp, in the same
program with such magnificent choruses
and orchestral numbers. 1t is regret
table fact that such encores were rem
6ered These numbers were played
wholly without the previous knowledge
or consent of the chorus management,
and they in no way approve Of them.
The effectiveness Of the orchestra in
supporting the chorus was unduhitable
Some idea OF the musical ability OF these
gentlemen may be had from the fact that
they had had no rehearsal with the cho-
rus: in fact had never seen the music
before il was handed to them for execu-
ton. The work of the clsrionetist was
especially noteworthy in that he success
fulIv transposed. at sight. his score OF
.Daybreak'' to The most difficult key on
the clarionet and executed il without
single mistake.
The other orchestral numbers. inciuo-
ing the solos were we'll rendered The
melody in the plano passage Of the
Schubert r minor (untirished) SYM
phony~ was beautifully and effectively
sung by the cello. and the ether parts
left nothing TO be desired save in the
matter of volume.
Too much cannot be said n praise OF
the work of the Choral club. and much
credit is due the accoHpani.t- Mrs Stan
ley " Jones. for bringing out the pos
sibilities Of the various piano parts The
unbornded appreciation OF a highly critic
al audience and its evident unwiiiingne.s
TO forge the pleasures OF encores testify
to this
This chorus. lussy and love'y>naiaen.
fostered by wichita's fairest Sons ard
daughters. when NJ. two months OF age,
and after bat seven full rehearsals. es-
SAYS 10 make her debut before a highly
critical audience and she succeeds SIZE =
no puny weakling bat sp-ang Minerva
Ike full armed and equipped from Wichi-
Ia best talent. There are but few things
which will explain this phenomenal sue
cess First Of ali stands prs-eminent the
wonderful ability OF that veteran condrc-
tor. Prof ". II Lei5. Throughout the
brief be. busy career OF the club ms nzzr-
velous ability. indoEaiiable vii and cleo
trifying presence have been constant IT.
spsraaca. he first requisite az succeSs
Is ahuaizn,ly supplied in the pe-sonal:fs
of Prof. I-leh. Wichita IS greatly 70 Be
congratulated for having such an artist
Within her Limits Then. she - TO DC noas