The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-05-03

The fourteenth annual music festival
of the Wednesday Club was inaugu-
rated last evening with the rendition
of Haydn's great oratorio "The Crea-
tion.' before an audience that not only
taxed the capacity of the spacious
Academy of Music, but was thoroughly
representative of the social, intellectual
and musical life of the CITY, 1t would
De no eSaSgeration to say that 1t
was the most auspicious opening night
in the history of the club, and gives
every promise of being the most sue
cessful season the organization has
yet experienced. Everything contrib.
uted to make it So The work that
was sung is one of the worlds great
est oratorlos. the artists engaged have
national reputation. the Boston Fes-
tlNal orchestra is second TO none OF
Its class. and the members of the We'd
nesday Club under the able leadership
of Dr. Peters, did themselves proud,
and 1t would be impossible to. praise
too highly the finish and perfection
of execution of the difficult work they
had undertaken.
"'The Creation was the first and
greatest oratorio that Haydn gave tn
the world. and achieved widespread
fame from its first public rendition III
England. Since that t!me until thirty
years ago it was second to none, save
The Messiah" in popularity. 1t is
noteworthy for it's tuneful arias, its
simple and yet dramatically power
full recitatives and its inspiring and
joyful choruses that reaci, grandeur
and approach sublimity.
rha Int la, nf tn,.;r, iS
is far more trying on chorus than
opera, from the reason that the slngers
are unaided by scenic effect and ac-
ton and have to rely solely upon In
dividual and combined vocal merit,
aided by orchestral effects.
The work of the Wednesday Club in
last nights performance showed mark
ed Improvement over that Of last sea-
son, and reflects the highest credit
upon the able and efficient director,
who has labored untiringly for months.
His skllful training and the co-opera-
ton of the individual members We're
responsible for a higher degree of
perfection hast evening than has yet
been attained. The chorus showed
precision of attack that was commend
able, and sung with praiseworthY
vigor. enthusiasm and feeling.
The artists We're selected with espe-
Cia view to their htneSS tor ofatO-
, rio singing and We're well received.
though all were strangers to Rich
mond audiences. Nine. Corinne Ryder
Kelsey displayed a pure soprano OF
great range and dramatic quality, and
her clearness of enunciation. phrasinS
and intonation We're marked features
! of her singing. She was heard to best
| advantage in the beautiful aria. "Witll
| Verdure Clad,'' and was forced to bow
| her Acknowledgements several times 10
| her delighted listeners.
! Mr. Henri Scott is q bass singer of
| feeling and power, and his work In
| the recitatives of the second and third
! parts and in the duets with Nine. Ry-
| DER elsey was superb. MIR. Dan Bed
| doe is the possessor of a robust sweet
| tenor that he used with fine effect. and
| was fairly entitled to share honors
| with the other two artists. He was
| at his best In the recitative intro
| ductory to the third part: In Rosy
| Mantle Appears the Morning Young
1 and Fair
The Boston Festival Orchestra, con-
ducted by Dr.. Peters, furnished the
| orchestration, which was slngularly
beautiful and effective, and ii is doubt
| full whether this splendid orsanizn-
| ton could be replaced by any other
IN rba hearts of the music-lovers OF
Richmond.
Tile large audience was lavish IN
its expression Of appreciation or the
work of club and artists, and their
applause was prolonged and hearty.