New-York tribune., 1907-12-27
MUSIC.
THE ANNUAL MESSIAH"

Perhaps the most Interesting, certainly the most
original feature Of the annual performance of the
Messiah" by the Oratorio Society at Carnegie
Hail last night. was q letter addressed to the pa
irons of tho oratorio (nct of the society by the
director Dr. Frank Darrosch, asking for sup
port for the other concerts given by the society.
From the statement with which DR.. Damrosch iet-
ter opened it appears that last nights performances
was the seventy-third which the society has given
of Handers oratcrio. 1t is an old story. that dur
ing the thirty-eve years the societys existence
n has drawn its sustenance from this work Its
predecessors did the same; its companion socieues
in other cities also do the same since eno Gays VI
its composer indeed. THE Messiah mas not ohiy
kept choral societies alive but also iiiaiiilne. i
MANY worthy charities. DR.. Damrosch seems 10
he keenly alive to the fact. and grafeful, ort ms
appears to think also that the Oratorio society -
not fulfilling its entire mission oy pfo''"'hs '
annual Yuetide function. ,..,
He wants the public also to hold up eiie so' -.
hand. when It produces other choral WORKS LIS,
not onIv I'm the interest Of musical culture. put
also In the interest of the society ITSELF
chorus" he says very pertinenty ana "eiy
rectly "can be permanently maintalhed soie'S ~
the purpose of singing The Messiah once '.-
and remain at a high state OF pro1clency- I0
maintain a high standard in choral singing and 10
keen I'D the interest OF the singers 1t is aosouteS
necessary to produce other WORKS II IL iea'
able wish that the time and effort spent IN STUDY
ing these works should be rewarded by the sym
chorus for the crowning feast Of their Chris'i'a'
tide instead of being Indifferent TO all eise 50 e
as The Messiah Is produced at the proper 'i
1t In not so much the financial support which "ocu
be gained by an increased interest on the part o
the society's Messiah patrons the encourage
rent which comes to the performers when II 10
their privilege to introduce beauthul composition
to a larger number OF people-which Is urgently
needed and desired. With a view, tnen' OF Pio-
,o.,ne- wider interest In and greater appreciation
of the great choral works IND py way oA a.
knowledging the claim which the OraIoflo Socie|
baa unon the sympathetic support OF those "ho
enjoy it's Christmas performances, ask tiaI 'loSo
r-bo arc present to-day may become permanent
.uhscribecs TO the socety's concerts. iney WIZ
tbare5v learn that there are other oeaoshuI wins
we'll worth hearinsand loving besides Inc Messiah
ana their lives will be enriched by a larger ac-
orautance with the most beautifui cSinposi'oias '
tha realm of musical art
Dr Damrosch addressed handsome AUDIENCE
aud II will be interesting to note whether or not
his anneaI will bear fruit when Bach's Passion
according to ST. Matthew is performed next
ApriI Meanwhile a wish that has frequently been
uttered in these columns may be reiterated, ~hch
"a that 80 long as 1.-THE Messiah must be given
everv year II would be good thing to relieve
the performances Of the tiresome perfunctoriness
that has marked all its elements for years d.
Damrosch had admirable solo singers IN his ser
vice last night, and Mrs Rider-Kelsey actually
succeeded in conveying a thrill OF interest by the
freshness and vitality of her voice. but for the
rest IT was only the old sensation of splendid
sonority In the choruses, which were reeled on as
they have been reeled off for generations and ex-
cellence IN precision and intonation- Mr.. Beddoe.
the tenor. a singer gifted with splendid voice;
Mr. Bspham, the bass, somewhat scant of breath.
but intelligent in all things. and Miss Evelyn FogS,
a matter of fact contrato. sang the solos.