The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-12-26

Comfort We, comfort we my people.
saith your God" Sung to these words OF
the prophet Isaiah, the first tones of Han
ders Messiah" seemed to impart reYer-
entail mood to the great audience at the
Odeon last night; mood consonant with
the occasion. And the spirit OF reverence,
taking deep hold. possessed the listeners
throughout the whole space of the even
ing. 1t was az influence which subdued
and rendered them solemn. It was as If a
throng had gathered in express commem-
Grafton of that dawn of light nineteen
hundred and more years ago, when there
were shepherds abiding in the field, keep
ing watch over their focks by night" and
"the glory Of the Lord shone round about
them" and they Journeyed in 4 path of
starlight toward Bethlehem.
1.-THE Messiah" has been better sung, and
in St Louis, and before greater audiences,
but never more impressively. The singers
themselves, including the soloists, obvi-
ously yielded to the worshipful spirit Of
the hour, The temper OF the house was
sisnally manifested by a lack of repres-
ton, but q moderation in the clapping of
hands, as II they somehow felt that the
usual vigorous rounds would be out of
felt. The same degree Of silence may
stand for manv things-for cold disap-
proval or for sympathy.
Undoubtedly last night the manner of
the audience betokened sympathy with
the thing being done that was deeper than
mere approval. And 1t was an audience
made up largely of persons who ordinarily
tertainment's sake; it included a consider
able portion of the st. Louis music world;
1t included many Of the habitual theater-
goersIyet the solemnity which was
breathed out upon it with the first strains
of the great choral possessed all alike, and
to the last.
A great choral assuredly it is; con-
ess Mus ~ RHpu many a o he the csp
qualifedly, in a spirit not far above toll
GRAFTON; fact possibly due to habitual
variance with popular Judgment. Possibly
but 1t was evident in his direction last
night that he possessed fine sympathy
with the spirit of the composition.
a,t apon the e, Wnoie his ieadership the rem
of the chorus, 1t was a feeling interpre-
tation. Technically. the chorus exhibited
a degree of Improvement. The unison,
rhythm. were even better preserved than
in the cantata at the previous concert,
when marked Improvement in training
was noted. Decidedly better finish was
exhibited in the orchestraS work than at
the previous concert
There Is no great amount of. independ-
ent orchestration in the Messiah but
sufficient in which to mark the progress
mentioned.
Interest last night centered in Mrs.
Katherine Nichols, alto, heralded by Bos-
tonians as an exceptional singer To the
st. Louis ear the ripping soprano of Mrs.
Hissem de Moss Is familiar also the
pleasing tenor of Ellison Van Hose, and
the resonant basso Of Herbert Wither-
spoon. Mrs. Nichols was new. Immediate
ly her voice interested you The first
notes came clear and musical, and the ear
followed her throughout, with gradually
heightened pleasure upon the whole, with
occasional surprises, and with but few
disappointments.
In one or two instances In the exceed
ingly difficult passage beginning Behold
q virgin there were evident labors to
sustain the long-held notes; slight imper-
fections of breathing. or perhaps INSULT
cient power. Otherwise there were few
flaws to find in her execution. Rare puri