Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-11-19
Symphony Orchestra.

The Washington Symphony Orchestra
opened its season at the Lafayette Theater
yesterday afternoon before small but en-
tirely enthusiastic audience. Mr.. Reginald
de Koven. who conducted, made the an
nouncement that the permanent organiza-
ton had been effected and that the sue
cess or failure of the orchestra was In the
hands of the music-loving public of Wash
ington. This city is now one of only five
or six in the United Sta,es to have per-
manent symphony orchestra. The an
nouneement by Mr.. de Koven was timely,
as the small audience present was I'M
doubtedly great disappointment to those
who have given their earnest effort to the
establishment in the capital city of per-
manent musical organization of the nature
of the Washington Symphony orchestra.
Those in the audience yesterday who
were familiar with the work of the orches-
ira last year were unanimous In noting the
advances made. While there Is stu some
room for Improvement In the Interpretation
of the lighter moods, the work of the or
chestra was distinctly good and satisfac-
tory in the main even to the most critical
portions of the audience.
The "Phedre'' overture, by Massenet, was
well rendered, the orchestra taking advan-
tage of the many possibilities of the COM
position, and the good impression MADE
and the high standard set in this EFFORT
were maintained throughout the rendition
of the program.
The symphony given was Shumann's No.
l. in b fiat generally known as the
Spring" symphony. 1t was written in
1S41 the first year of Shumann's marriage
to Clara Shumann, and is an celebrating
expression of joy and happiness. 1t was
first performed at the Leipzig Gewandhaus
concerts, under the direction of Mendel-
ssohn. March 81 of that year, and is now
generally counted among the worlds great
est symphonic works, and forms con-
Meeting link between the symphony OF
Beethoven's time and the modern develop
ment of the form. While the strings Jagged
a trihe at times in the sherZo movement,
the rendition was as whole most excel
lent the richness and volume OF tone Delng
particularly noticeable.
The feature of the program may be said
to have been four selections from suite,
"Conte d'Avril," by the well-known French
composer Charles NJ. Widor With the
sanction of the composer Mr.. de koven
chose presto scherZando, serenade,
aubade and wedding march to compose the
suite heard yesterday afternoon. The whole
four selections were well Interpreted the
auba6e scored almost entirely for the
strings being particularly beautiful in COM
position. and was rendered without fault.
Nine. Eta de Montiau was the soioist.
She has not been heard in Washington pre-
viously. and made most favorable impress
sion, her voice being clear and full mezzo
soprano of considerable range. Her initial
selection was recit2tiye and aria, "Divin-
lite du Silk from Gluck's 'Alceste, and in
place of a group of songs on the program
she substituted. by request 'Dich theure
Halle, gruesS Ich wieder." from Tam
hauser.'' The last-named selection was par
ticularly we'll rendered. and the real enthu-
siasm of the small audience forced the
singer to repetition.