The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-03-16
CHORUS AND SOLOISTS
ARE HEARD IN CONCERT
Ensemble Singing Equals Solo and
Duet Number at Schools
Entertainment.
"STABAT MATER" PLEASES

The concert given last night at Roberts
Park Church under the auspices of the
Metropolitan School OF Music was a credi-
table and enjoyable performance. The
greater part of the programme was pre-
sented by students of the institution, al
though the more important portions were
contributed by members of the faculty, the
whole entertainment being forcible ex-
ample of the extensive capabilities of this
school. The chorus of sixty mixed voices,
under the able direction of Edward Nell.
and the orchestra, of twenty-one young
people, trained by Hugh McGbeny, did ex-
cellent work, and the various soloists were
heard to much advantage. friendly aud
icene that completely filled the main audi
forum and balcony rewarded the singers
and instrumentalists with warm applause
at the conclusion of each number.
The programme opened with an orches-
trail selection-a work of Tschaikowsky,
which was given a good Interpretation, un-
der the guidance of MIR. McGibeny. A Liszt
rhapSodie was then played by the we'll
known local pianist, Clarence Veeder
Nixon, after which the chorus gave Wag-
merriam number, Joyful We Greet from
"Tannhauser,' with organ accompaniment
by Tull L. Brown. This chorus was fairly
well sung, but there was a lack of "one-
ness" on the part of the singers and a
tendency TO get ahead of the organ Later
on in the programme the third scene from
the first act of Wagner "Lohengrin" was
given splendid performance the effective
work showing that the chorus had re-
ceived the best of training and that the I'M
evenness of the first number had been due
to the nervousness of the singers. The solo
parts in the "Lohengrin'' selection were
we'll taken by III NJ. Talbot, tenor, and +.
n. Taylor, baritone
Grieg's Sonata. OPP. As. for violin and
piano, was given in musician-like style
by Hugh McGibeny and Oliver Willard
Pierce and the first part of the programme
came to conclusion with a selection for
two pianos, Saint-Saenss variation on
Beethoven theme. beautifully interpreted
by Byron Hughes and Mr.. Pierce.
The entire second half of the programme
was devoted to Rossini's beautiful sacred
oratoriO, ''Stabat Mater which is always
received with favor by audience, be-
cause while this great composition abounds
in rich harmonic changes and fine orches-
trail cOloring, the composers exceptional
gift for melody is most evident throughout.
The work, therefore, appeals to those in an
audience who have received no musical
training. as well as to the students of
music, for just as the plays the thing in
dramatic performances. melodys the thing
in music. The beautiful flow of melody
holds full sway in ''Stabat Mater" and
when the work is correctly performed it
uplifts those who listen to the music.
The work is regarded by many critics as
RoSSini'S most noteworthy sacred prOduc-
ton, although some have complained that
the music is not sufficiently devotional;
that il is theatrical and operate in charac-
ter. 1t is true that its lovely melodies are
unlike the psalms sung in churches, but
how any one can think for moment that
they lack reverence is hard to understand.
The poem to which the music is welded is
in itself remarkably melodious and grace
full, and the music is never for an instant
out of harmony with the noble words and
their meaning. The oratorio while very
popular is heard but seldom in Indianapo-
lis and its Interpretation last night was a
genuine musical event.
The orchestra and chorus were more at
ease seemingly, in the Rossni work than
in the Wagnerian numbers, and the en-
senbles were all presented with good eff
feet The soloistS were Mrs. Josephine
Bremmerman Edmunds. Rhea Hall Belly
mer, Lenah Lovejoy Howard, Paul JEFF
fries, II. w. Laut, j. H. Roberts, Homer
Van VIE, Elizabeth Shoaf and Nellie Van
Bergen. All were in good voice and the
beautiful music was much enjoyed by the
large audience. The concert was in every
way a success.