The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-12-22

As has been said by one Of the men,
bers OF the Choral Society. THE twenty
fifth anniversary of any organization
would be a noteworthy event. even were
there nothing more TO chronicle than an
exiStenee covering such period"
But the Anniversary OF the Choral So
ciety Of Washington, d. c., was made
more noteworthy on Tuesday night last
by presentation OF Handlers Messiah. +"
under the direction of Mr.. Percy S. FOs-
ter. which has been described by those
who heard 1t as one Of the most inter-
esting concerts ever given in Washing
ton
The Choral Society Of Washington, D.
Z, was formed at a temporary organi-
zation on November Z. 1883. About fifty
ladies' and gentlemen met by invitation
at the residence OF Mrs John ]. Knox.
and q committee consisting OF Mrs.
Knox, Mrs. Q. A. Pearson. and Mr.. +.
Szemelenyi was appointed 10 take charge
Of the election OF a musical director Re
hearsals We're then and there begun under
the temporary leadership Of Mr.. Scene
lenyi.
Election of Officers.
A week later, at ShelGon's Hail. Hon.
John J. Knox. Comptroller OF the Cur
rency, was elected president; Mr.. II. D.
Cooke. vice president; Mr.. Q. A. Pearson.
secretary, and Mr.. D. W. Middleton.
treasurer. Mr.. Harry C. Sherman was
made musical director. The following
week the organization was given the
name which II still bears
Since that time the society has to its
credit long list OF large and important
productions, including many new works
Although lis aims have always been the
highest the numerical growth OF the So
ciety was slow. owing in part TO the
huctuating population of the city. and 10
the lack Of local pride and interest, which
conditions have also rendered the finan-
cial management Of the society unusually
difficult
While many local singers have been
intrusted with the solo parts. the original
policy Of the society has been TO engage
singers from abroad. The following list
viii serve 70 give an indication OF the
standard maintained throughout its whole
history:
Agnes Huntington. Whitney Mockridge.
Gertrude Edmands. Ericsson +. Bushnell.
Ivan MOrawski. William J. LAWN. Ger
trude Nay Stein. Mrs s. c. Ford. Carl
Dunt. Emma Juch, Lillian Blauyeit. Z. G.
ToWne, Corinne Moore Lawson Katherine
Fleming. and Gwilym Miles have filled
repeated engagements. while others who
have sung at least once are Blanche
Stone Barton. Ella Earle. Theodore Toedt.
William Ludwig. Basta Tavary, Perry
AYeF!l, Heinrich Meyn. Genevra John
stone-BishOp. Anton Schott, Camille Sey-
gard, Evan Williams. Mary Louise Clary.
Max Heinrich. Katherine Hike. Marie
Brema. Johanna Gadski, sara Anderson.
Myron Whitney, jr.. Julian Walker,
Marie Zimmerman, Anita Rio and Giu-
seppe Campanari
VIciSsItudes OF Society.
The vicissitudes Of the Choral Society.
during its history of twenty-five years.
have been many. but its work has al
ways been meritorious. and its good re-
port has spread among musicians else
where.
When Percy Semple Foster was called
10 direct the silver jubilee celebration
this year. he chose The Messiah" as an
Oratorio 10 fttingly celebrate this i'm
portaht epoch Of the sOcietys history
rehearsal possible between the chorus
and orchestra. or between the sOloists and
orchestra the director deserves praise for
presenting the performance in manner
that has been commented upon as one OF
the best ever given here.
Mr. Foster has acted as preceptor and
chorus director for the International con-
ventions of Christian EndeavOrers for
over fifteen years. conducting choruses Of
from i've hundred 10 five thousand in
New York. Cleveland. Boston. Washing.
ton, Nashville. Detroit, Cincinnati, Den
yer. Baltimore. and other large cities He
has written a number OF sacred songs,
some Of which had a large circulation
both in England and America. He COM
posed the official music TO the only hymn
written by the late Hon. John Hay.
Philadelphia Orchestra.
Certain features Of the treatment OF
the chorus parts delivered at the concert
last Tuesday night were never used be-
fore by the society. and their rendition
was pronounced superb. Another feature
Of the concert was the unusual treat ten
dered to the musical public In having the
great Philadelphia Orchestra to accom-
pany the singers. Their work was not
so much spectacular as an attempt TO
present the devotional beauty Of HandeTs
=
pressed to the orchestra for cooperation
and courtesy in assisting under the direc-
ton Of Conductor Foster.
The quartet of soloists consisted of Mrs.
Mary Zimmerman. Of Philadelphia, so
prano; Miss Mary Lansing, Of New York,
contralto; Daniel BeddOe, Of New York,
tenor, and Tom Daniel. OF New York.
bass, and they all sustained their roles
so as TO deserve much applause
Mr.. Foster. IL arranging the programme, /
presented the sequence OF the most popu-
lar numbers, so as 70 make still more
obvious the devotional message which
Handel wished TO deliver 10 the religious
and musical world.
Programme of the Concert.
The following programme was specially
arranged by the director for the occasion:
PART 1.-THE PROPHECY.
instrumental Introduction
Recitatiye-" Comfort We Ny People"
Air-"ES'ry Valley"
Chorus-~And the glory Of the Lord
RecitatiTe-"Thus saith the Lord"
Air-"Iiut Who May Abide "
Recitative-" Behold a virgin shall conceive
Air and chorus-"O thou that tellest glad tidings'
RecitatiTc-" For behold darkness"
Air---The people that walk N darkness
Chorus-"For INTO a child is born"
PART 1.-THE ADVENT.
Pastoral symphony.
RecitatiTe-" There were shepherds"
RecitatiEe-"And To- the Angel Of the Lord"
RecitatiFe-'And the Angel said unto them"
Recitative-"A And suddenly"
Chorus-"G Glory TO God in the Highest"
Air-Reioice greatly"
Recitative-'Then shall the eyes Of the blind"
Air-"He shall feed his fock -
Chorus-"Lift up your heads.
PART 1.-THE CRUCIFIxIoN.
Go applause until the close Of this part.l
Chorus" Behold the Lamb Of God.
Au-"He was despised."
Reeitative-'Thy rebuke has broken bis heart"
Air-"Behold and See"
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