The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-04-27
CLOSES
IN BLAZE OF GLORY
Brilliant Audience Charmed by the
Faultless Rendition of the
Grand Oratorio Elijah.
FINE WORK OF CHORUS
Never Heard to Better Advan-
tage-Solists Do Excellent
Work-Children Sing Well.

The Wednesday Club Tuesday night
concluded the most brilliant as well
as one of the most successful festivals
in the history of its organization, clos-
ing Its seventeenth annual celebration
with the rendition of Mendelssohn's
great oratorio, Elijah" the soloists,
chorus and orchestra rising to a mag
nificent height in the splendid finale
Lord, our Creator. how excellent Thy
Name is in all nations! Thou fillest
the heaven with Thy glory. Amen"
Three concerts were given by the
club, and the patronage extended by
the people OF Richmond showed more
than ever before the large number OF
music lovers In this city ind their ap-
probation OF the efforts of the club.
Financial Results Good.
From the financial standpoint MOTH
ing can as yet be definitely announced,
but it is believed by those in charge
OF the affairs of the organization that
more than enough was received to
meet all expenses. while 1t is thought
that working fund VIII remain for
neAt- years. festiNai.------
Unlike in other years, the festival
this year had two distinct features,
each in itself and alone being worthy
OF all the patronage shown by the
friends of the club. These two fea-
lures were the wonderful singing Of
Nine. Jeanne Jomelli Monday night
when she completely captivated her
audience, and the rendition OF the
sacred oratorio Tuesday night. which
held several thousand people SPELL
bound from the recitative introduce
ton to the end.
The childrens chorus. one of the
regular features OF the festival each
year, was heard, as is customary at
the Tuesday matinee. Under the
training OF MIR. Mercer this chorus
was at its best, while the special ar
lists and soloists made the matinee
all the more attractive. singing with
the chiidre ma selection from Mar
tina. which proved to be one OF the
most beautiful numbers on the entira
program for the year.
tlne Work by Chorus.
For the oratorio Conductor Morgan
had reafransed the seating OF his
chorus, bringing the men from both
enas to the center of the stage, ana
win them thus directly under his
baton he produced effects which sur
passed the fonest expectations of
everyone. he requested lusl before
The concert began THAT the audience
would not applaud. as the oratorio
was very long, ana as they wished to
sing II without cutting any OF the
principal parts. but would ne una BILE
TO ao SO unless they were uninterTupt-
ed
Perhaps his request was necessary,
Dut IL rs hardly probable that the
audience would have appiauded at
any point during the frs; part, as the
music was OF that solemniy beautiful
character which gives sucn applause
as hand clapplng "a distiact suggestion
OF irreNerence.
Charmed by the Soioists.
The special artlsts took the leading
characters in the sacred opera, there
Deing several duets and quartets
which literally took away the breath
10 the audience.
In spite Of her recent cold, cons
tracted ia Washington. Mime. JomeIH
was at her best and sang with that
clear and sympathetic sweetness
characteristic OF ner work, her voice
rising true to the highest note. while
her sustaining power and volume was
without the slightest fault.
Miss Lila Sneillngs, whose deep,
full contralto blended perfectly with
that of the famous Dutch soprano,
carried several of the solo parts. ap-
pearing in the recitative as the angel,
and giving a remarkable exhibition
OF range. being able to rise from alto
notes well into the realm of the
soprano without enort or discom-
future,
pr Franklin Lawson. tenor, carried
large part OF the reeitatiNe. whine
Mr. Frank Croxton. bass, represented
the prophet of Israel. his voice round
and musical carrying to the farthest
parts of the auditorium with distinct
moss.
The part of the Youth was taken
ny Mrs. walter Mercer. OF Richmond,
and was rendered in SO perfect man
uer as to win for all time the hearts
OF her audience. She appeared in
several choruses with Nine. JomelH
and Miss Smelling, her clear notes
rising with wonderful beauty and
sweetness against the heavier setting
of the two great artists, making her
hearers wonder if three great artists
instead of two were not singing, after
all