The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-05-04
NIGHT,

with a splendid production OF Saint
Saens's littIe-Enown. but none the less
important, opera, Samson and Deli
lah," and brilliant audience. which.
IL anything, eclipsed that of the open
ing night, the "Wednesday Club brought
the second day of its fourteenth May
Festival to notable close that prom
ises much for the remaining concerts,
and that will of itself distinguish this
years program as one OF the chief
events In all tho musical history of
Richmond
In more ways than one the second
day of the festival proved itself worthy
of lasting place in the memory of
those who composed the two great au
diences that filed the Academy of
Music. in the afternoon the Childrens
Chorus, always popular. and descrvedly
so. added new laurels to it's record
and under the skilful direction of Mr.
Walter c. Mercer. proved itself more
than equal TO tine work assigned to it,
At night the magnificent opera of
the great French composer was pre-
aented in the South for the first time,
Hnd the brilliant manner in which 1t
was handled made the event one OF
signal Importance. What might have
been lacking on the opening night was
abundantly supplied here. The artists
did exceptionally we'll, and with IA
thorough appreciation of tho dramatic
powers of the opera. for which 1t is
noted. often aroused tho audience to a
high pitch of enthusiasm. The choral
work was highly creditable to DR.. T..
ii. Peters. conductor OF the "Wednesday
Club, and the orchestration was SO
notable as to attract general comment
Work of Artists.
The opera Is one of the best examples
OF the modern French school. and pos
sesses an added interest from the fact
that It's composer has but recently
made triumphant tour of this coun-
try. Last nights performance was the
first given in this section. Though in
tended to be sung with costumes and
stage settings 1t is equally we'll adapt
ed to the concert platform. 1t is re-
markable for It's dramatic power. It's
brilliant arias for tenor. baritone and
soprano, and it's superb orchestral eff
fects. The principals taking part were
Nine. A1ulford. mezZo- soprano; Mr. f.
de Gogorz, baritone; Mr. Dan Beddoe,
tenor. and Mr.. Julian Walker, bass.
Nine. milford made her bow to a
Richmond audience and scored an en-
phatic triumph. She disclosed an un-
usually sweet mezzo- soprano of much
power and feeling. with the added
qualities of personal charm. In the
scenes with Samson she rose with the
utmost ease to the passionate climaXes,
and rendered the more subdued por-
tons with equal effectiveness. The
familiar aria "AIy Heart Opens Wide
AT Thy Voice." frequently heard in
concert. was received with tremen-
dcus outburst of applause.
Mr.. de Gogorza repeated the triumph
he has won on his former appearances
here. and his singing was regarded
by many as the feature of the even
Ing. he Is one of the best concert sing
ers In New York to-day, and his voice
and method compare favorably with
the best opera singers ON the stage
Mr.. Beddoe's singing was much bet.
ter compared with the meaGre op-
portunity he had Thursday evening
and though the role was long an(
arduous one his voice showed no signs
Of fatigue at the end. Mr.. Walker hac
practically no chance to demonstrate
his ability in the small role OF
Abimelech, not appearing at all except
In the first act.
The club was at its best. The admir-.
able chorus work was frequently ap.
plauded to the echo. The orchestral tior
furnished one of the chief features
of the opera and taxed the powers o
MIR. Mollenhauer's musicians to the ut
most. That they splendidly measured
up to the opportunity all are agreed
The music descriptive of the storm ant
Oriental prelude in the third act were
auperbly rendered.
DR.. Peters deserves the highest con
Eratulatons for the mastery manner
In which he conducted both chorus ane
orchestra.
Opinion of Musician.
Speaking in detail of the work o
the several artists, a prominent Rich
mond musician last night said:
"Siknor Gogorza was easily the sta
of the evening. His Interpretation O
the part of the high priest was Yer
fine and he added immensely to til
interest of the opera.
'Mr. Walker, though evidently SUI
ferng FROM Il cold, sang tho part c
Abimelech and Of the aged Hebrew wit
good taste. and In spite of the difIicu
ties under which he labored, prove
himself to be an artist,
''NIr. Beddoe made an acceptable San
son.
"Mme. milford, though possessin
) neither voice Of the requisite powe
to all times live over the orchestr
nor thoroughly comprehensive ide
i n \ E