The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1906-12-03

All Ready for Great Concert on Thurs
day Nfght-First opera Ever Sung
by This Chorus Under DIR. Parker's
Direction--Six Eminent SOlOists.
The Oratorio society will have it's
first rehearsal in WooIsey hall this
evening, and visitors will be excluded.
Grand opera and Americans are COM
ing nearer together, and since it is not
possible for any but the big cities to
have a season of opera, we are follow
ing the precedent of England and Can
ada in giving opera in concert form.
Thus it is that the production of Wag-
ner's "Lohengrin," to be given by the
New Haven Oratorio society in Wool
sey hall Thursday night, is so cordially
welcomed.
In its choice of an opera for the first
work of this character the New Haven
Oratorio society has sung under DR..
Parkers direction, none better than
"Lohengrin" could have been made. 1t
is Wagner's most melodious opera, and,
according to so eminent a critic and
musical statistician as William j. Hen
derson, "Lohengrin' is the most popu-
lar opera with Americans when given
with satisfactory cast.
Thursday nights cast is made up Of
singers who, while not Of operate
fame, are known from coast to coast
as oratorio singers of the first water.
The Elsa of the cast, Mrs. Katharine
Mir Hardy, is known in New York as
the best Wagnerian soprano outside of
those in the opera. She is nearly al
ways on the programme when the New
York Philharmonic and New York
Symphony have a Wagner night or
matinee, 1t is pure, beautiful, dra-
matte soprano such as Wagner dream
ed of for his Elsa and Elizabeth and
his Brunnhilde.
William Wegener, who is cast for Lo-
hengrin, has sung the part of the white
swan many times in operate and con-
cert form. For several seasons this
young tenor was the Lohengrin of the
Savage Opera company, alternating
with Joseph Sheehan. He is a robust
tenor, with voice of phenomenal tone
colors. His enunciation is specially
mentioned everywhere.
Claude Cunningham, the baritone,
who sang with Patti on her farewell
tour, is a, singer is unusual attainments.
He has a rich, resonant and wide
ranged voice, and has the discrimina-
ton of the true artist. He has incis-
i've force and combined with this, a
lyric voice and expression, with espe-
cially beautiful upper tones.
Little need be said of William Her
per, by many claimed to be the fore
most oratorio bass in America. He
throws his whole soul into his singing
and is famous for his dramatic vigol
and repression. Mr.. Harper did moi
come before the public until he was
| fully equipped to. triumph, and he has
triumphed ever since.
| Since his appearance here in tht
Verdi Requiem" two years ago Frank
Croxton, the basso, has been borne ir
mind and will be given hearty recep'
ton Thursday night. In voice and art
| he is delight
1t is generally believed that in Miss
Janet Spencer America has found Its
! leading oratorio contralto, Her voice is
rich, mellow, large and noble, and hei
singing has sympathy and sincerity
At the Cincinnati festival she sang the
contralto solos in place of Madame
Horner, and scored triumph. She
has sublime art as we'll as voice, ant
has to her credit a long chain of sue
| cesses.
The sale of seats for the concert or
Thursday night opens tomorrow morn
ing at 10 o'clock at the M. Steiner
Sons company and at the Woolsey hal
box office.