Evening star., 1903-09-19
M USICAL MENTION

NV
which Its Sunday evening concerts were to
be given has not been settled until the
last few days. The officers of the society
now announce that they are to use Chase's
Theater for their three choral concerts on
sunday evenings. December 81 March Ii
and April "a This auditorium, being the
largest In the city, is best suited for the
Choral Society's work. The unusually
large stage also gives an exceptional op-
portunlty for placing the chorus and or
chestra advantageously upon 1t.
Old members of the society will recall
the most successful performance Of the So
ciety ever given. in that same theater,
when under the leadership of Mr.. Walter
Damrosch. The society has been assured
that the theater will not be open for any
other Sunday evening concerts during the
entire season. but 1t has been given this
Opportunity on account of the interest
which Mr.. Chase feels in the work which
the society is doing.
The names of the soloists at the various
concerts cannot be announced, but the pro-
gram remains heretofore stated the
Messiah in December, Rossinis 'Stabat
Mater" and Parker's "Hora Novissima" in
March and Elijah in April.
The Washington Symphony Orchestr is
10 assist at all these concerts, and for the
messiah" Mr. Kaspar has asked Mr. De-
koVen to appear as conductor. while 1t is
duct his own work, 'Hora Novissima"
The society is very much gratifed now
that the Sunday concerts have been def
nitely settled to find that many members
who were originally opposed to the plan
have found themselves convinced that this
was the only resource for carrying on the
socfetys work and will continue their men,
bership and subscription The officers also
find very great interest taken In the con-
certs by many who have been strangers
to the society's work in the past Every
thing now indicates very prosperous sea-
son, both financially and artistically Sing
ers wishing to join the society for the
opening rehearsal on October should no.
ttfy the chairman of the chorus commit
tee, Mr.. James G. Traylor, Smithsonian
Institution.
The Washington Symphony Orchestra
will enter upon it's second year of exist
ence in good shape. Mr.. DeKoven. the con-
ductor, is Just now In New York looking
after the coming production of his opera
''The Red Feather" but he finds time to
look after the interests of the orchestra
and he has efficient assistants in Mr. E. H.
Droop. who will be the treasurer this sea-
son. as heretofore, and Mr.. Herman Rake
mann, the concert master of the organiza-
ton.
Mr.. Rakemann has been in the city all
summer looking after the interests of the
orchestra, and he says he anticipates some
excellent work during the coming season,
as the different important solo instruments
have been greatly improved and the new
gentlemen engaged have been prominently
ldentfled with the large orchestraS of this
country.
Mr. Rakemann says he expects to have a
good string quartet this winter, and in
connection with this work will give larger
works than heretofore with wind instru-
ments. The rehearsals will begin about
November l.
Mr.. and Mrs Rakemann will leave next
week for Asbury Park New York and Bos-
ton, to be gone about ten days.
Madame Melba, who recently sang for
President Loubet three times-once at
Buckingham palace on the night of the
presidents arrival and twice at the opera,
on the gala night, as Gilda, in "Rigoletto,"
and as Juliet-has had many ovatons dur
ing her long and brilliant career as a
singer, but perhaps none quite so painfully
enthusiastic as one Of which she was the
object some years ago at St. Petersburg.
burg
So exacting were her auditors that at the
conclusion of the opera they recalled her
before the curtain for a full hour until
from sheer fatigue she was compelled to
call for chair on which to rest during the
intervals of tumultuous applause. When
at last she was released she was followed
to her hotel by a crowd of admirers, who
serenaded her until o'clock in the morn
ing. The famous prima donna is firm be-
lever in the virtues of talismans, and never
appears on the stage concert platform
without wearing dainty jeweled goat to
which she attributes much of her good for
tune.
The first band rehearsal by Miss Lieber-
mans forces will take place tomorrow af-
ternoon. This year her orchestral force
will come from the Washington Symphony
Orchestra and from the Baltimore organi.
cation, the best of the members of each be-
ing selected. The orchestra will number
about thirty-fve and will play in conjunc-
ton with a force of eighteen pianos.
The choir of st. AIoysius Church will re-
sumo its work tomorrow after a summer
vacation longer than usual It's personnel
is somewhat changed, the male members Of
the quartet being new to this church They
are James A. Ffnnegan, tenor, and A. w.
Porter, bass. Mr.. Ffnnegan's voice is a
pure tenor of fine tirnbre and leaves no
doubt of IT'S naturalness, and Mr.. Porter
is basso profundo who sings with great
expression and with a precision and re-
pose gained by years of solo work both
in the Cathedral in Chicago and the
stage in grand opera. The ladies are Mrs.
Blanche Mattingly Rogers and Mrs. Mar
garet Nolan Martin, both of whom are
well known choir singers. The director and
organist is Mr. s. J. Kubel, whose ability
as musician has been recognized for
many years.
Mrs George Routt johnson has returned
from her summer trips, having prolonged
her vacation for nearly three months.