The San Francisco call., 1909-09-19

4 II neafSd4S Tor the next DdCI toh-
cert to be given in Berkeley at the
Greek theater st. Matthews Passion
music is under preparation and the
members of the choral body who made
a great success at last seasons presen-
tation of Bach's b minor mass are on
hand this year to back up the classic
director in his efforts to give to music
lovers the highest expression in the
formalities of great choral music.
Interspersed throughout the music of
st. Matthews Passion are wonderful
chorales. They are simple, direct, mel
odious and beautiful. When the work
is sung in Germany the audience, ia
miliar with the chorales, sings them
and adds greatly to the impressive
ness of the presentation. 1t is Wolle's
plan to distribute the music of these
simple choruses among the various
choral societies on this and the oppo-
site side of the bay and to supply the
churches with the scores. so that when
these choral moments are reached in
the great work the audience at the
Greek theater viii be plentifully
sprfnkled with listeners ready to join
in and sing the stately measures of
Bach's Incompatible, congregational
hymns.
Miss Lillian Clark. who was secre-
tary for the organization last year,
remains in that position, and a board
or omcers has been elected to confer
with DR. Wolfe in matters pertaining
to the artistic and financial ends of the
great work
More than 100 members signed the
roll of the San Francisco choral So
ciety last Monday night when the first
renearSal of the new organization was
held at Knights of Columbus hall,
under the direction of Paul Steindorff.
The first work to be attempted by the
new society viii be Saint Saens' choral
composition, Samson and Delilah."
The balance of the. choristers requires
at present more tenors and bassos. The
soprano and alto sections are strong
and effective. and many of the best of
our local singers are glad to place
themselves Under Steindorffs direction
in this remarkable Gallo composition.
Signor de Grassi will appear at Ye
Liberty theater in Oakland next Friday
afternoon before what promises to- be
a brilliant audience The Bohemian
club of this city has taken a block of
seats Mrs. Huntington has ordered
box and so has General T. L. Ford.
De Grassi is known as one of the best
violinists who has played for us, and
the concert should be an artistic sue
oN9Ss ooCiclg luSft OF uOl.
A more complete list of the seasons
forthcoming musical attractions is at
hand from viii Greenbaum, local i'm
presario.
First viii come Sousa and his band.
! The singers with Sousa this season are
Miss Frances Hoyt. soprano, and Miss
! Grace Hoyt, contralto. Herbert Clarke,
the cornet virtuoso, viii head the list
of instrumental soloists-but then
Sousa does not engage anybody but So
loists for his band.
Following Sousa will come Nine. Jean
Jomelli of the Manhattan grand opera
company. She is a dramtic soprano
Assisting Nine. Jomelli will be Miss
Marie Nichols. violinist, and Miss Mar
guerite Worden. accompanist.
DR.. Ludwig Wullner will give us an
opportunity of judging of his voice and
art. He has been big success in the
| east, according to report and he will
be accompanied by Coenrad V. Bos.
After the famous barytone will come
| famous tenor, George Hamlin, who
has the honor of being the first to
| spread the musical gospel according to
| Richard Straus in this country. He is
an American singer, and we brag that
| he is one of the few who has been ac-
cepted in Germany as enthusiastically
as in his homeland.
Fritz kreisler will be the last of the
musical giants to reach US in this year
of grace 1909.
After the holidays will come Marcella
Sembrich, assisted by Francis Rogers,
barytone. and Frank La Forge and Miss
Myrtle Elvyn, piaRists. Then the great
est of all contraltos. Nine. Sehu-
mann-H -Heink, will bring her glorious
art to shine on us. After that Nine.