Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1906-02-23
BRATTLEB0RO LOCAL NEWS
THEIR BEST CONCERT
Choral Unions Success Enthusi-
asticaIIy Praised
Chorus under Mr.. Coffin, Miss Rio as Solo,
list and Boston Festival Orchestra the
Combination.

lst and Boston Festival Orchestra the
Combination.
1t was with emotions of enthusiastic
delight that the people who attended the
Choral Union concert in the Auditorium
arose to their feet after the performance
Tuesday evening. 1t is not an exaggera-
ton to say that the concert was the most
successful and satisfying, unsteady, that
the Choral Union ever gave. 1t was flaw
less from every point of view, and the
work of the chorus received warm praise
not only from the audience, but from that
eminent artist Anita Rio, who was the
soloist of the evening. No pains were
spared to make this concert reach high
water mark in the history of the or
ganization, and the result has been to i'm
press upon the public mind the fact that
the Choral Union is a positive force for
good IN the community and as such merits
the generous support of all citizens.
The audience Tuesday evening was eX-
ceptionally large, the entire seating
capacity of the first floor and balcony be-
ing occupied, while many seats in the
gallery were sold. There was also a good
attendance at the matinee orchestral con-
cert. The financial result, therefore, is
gratifying. There was a deficit in the
current account up to the concert, but the
receipts not only paid the deficit, but
paid all expenses of the concert, which
were unusually heavy, and left a good
balance in the treasury.
The programs attractions consisted of
chorus numbers under the direction of
Nelson p. Coffin, conductor, Miss lzetta
Stewart accompanist solo numbers by
Nine Anita Rio, soprano, selections by
the Boston Festival Orchestral club and,
for the closing number, the unfinished
opera "Loreley," by Mendelssohn, in which
the chorus, soloist and Observation-Disclosures
Joined.
The chorus and Mr.. Coffin have come
to understand each other perfectly. This
was demonstrated by the responses which
the chorus gave it's conductor. The baton
swayed the singers like a reed in a breeze
and they rose to the climaXes with thrill
ing effect Perhaps in no number was this
respon siveness shown to better advantage
than in "Daybreak," by flaming, which to
many was the most delightful of the
chorus selections. Particularly good work
was done in the "HallclujGh Chorus from
Messiah" by Handel, which was the
opening vocal number. In "Loreley"
there was greater opportunity for the
chorus TO show it's resourcefulness, and
all shades of sentiment from love to VEN
geancs were expressed with an intelligent
appreciation of the text.
Miss Rios first appearance was in
group of four charming songs, with
piano accompaniment, and for an en-
core she sang with the orchestra. Later
she sang the Arditi waltz, "Se Saran
Rose" with orchestra, and closed with
the part of Leonora in the opera Lore
ley" A voice of such liquid sweetness
perhaps never was heard in Bratteboro
before. In every register it was domin-
ated by a marvelously sympathetic quail
ty, and even the altissimo tones were
characterized by a rare velvety softness.
There was never the slightest deviation
10 ba wifi n
which she sang was wonderful. Add to
this her exceptionally happy disposition
and her delightful stage presence and one
will see why she gave such general and
complete satisfaction. Miss Rio will sail
for Dresden, Germany June 2 and will
devote her time abroad for several years
to grand opera.
The orchestral club, John w Crowley
leader, made a decided impression and
was very generous, giving matinee
performance of over an hour in length
besides four numbers, not including en-
cores, in the evening. 1t is one of the
best nine-piece orchestras in this country
and is under the management of George
w. Stewart, who is well known in Brat
tleboro. Both audiences listened with
absorbing interest and were captivated
by the skillful work. The distinct pnras-
ing and certainty of execution were
features which will not soon be forgotten
In the Tschaikowsky quartet in B flat
the stringed instruments were handled
with a delicacy which was a revelation to
most of the audience. Two particularly
delightful numbers in the afternoon were
the cello solo by Carl Webster, which
showed remarkable technical ability, and
the trombone solo by George w. Stewart,
whose tones were of uncommon purity
and sweetness.
The degree of perfection to which the
chorus attained was due in no small
measure to the work, at rehearsals of
Miss Izetta Stewart, accompanfst. Miss
Stewart not only has done excellent work,
but she has been faithful to the task