The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-04-14
.ORATORlO SOCIETY ENTHRALLS THRONG
 WITH BEST WORK
Rendition of "The Damnation of Faust Eclipses Former
 Undertakings

With the seating capacity of the huge armory filled with music lovers of this vicinity the second production of the year of the Bridgeport Oratorio society, BerHoz's ''The >Damnation of Faust was given last evening. The work, because of it's lighter and hap pier character in parts as well it's ] very dramatic moments, proved much more popular than the sacred works which have hitherto been attempted 1 by the society.
 As usual unlimited praise is being
 extended Dr. Arthur Mees the director under whose baton three splendid ] works have now been given by the or. ganization which is composed of more than three hundred of the best trained singers of the city.
 1 TTfe effectiveness of the rendition of 1 '"The Damnation of Faust.'' depends
 much upon the orchestra which last
 evening was composed of 4S members 1 of the New York Philharmonic or chestra with F. Lorenzo Smith as
 concertmeister. It was in the play
 ing of Rakoczy's march and the Ride 1 to He11'' that the best work of this
 group of artists was heard and the storm of, applause which followed showed the audiences appreciation of I their efforts. Miss Mary Louise Peck has accompanied the society for l the past two seasons and the mem I bers of the society are most grateful
 to her for her efficient work.
 l Also among those to whom credit is
 due are Robert M. Flames, chairman of the membership committee, Frank l V. Burton, chairman of the concert l committee and Thomas Fish, chair
 man of. the publicity committee. It was largely through the efforts of
 these men and their corps, of helpers the success of last evening was at tained. The humber in the huge chorus was greater than at any pre- fvious performance, the audience which came close to the two thousand I figure was likewise a greater one than production of the society and hnan-
 cially the concert was a greater sue- cess than any previous one.
 Arthur Hackett, tenor, had the role T of Faust; Miss Julia Heinrich, sopra- no, that of Marguerite5 Charles D.
 Read, Jr., bass, that of Brander< and Horatio Connell. baritone that of Me
 phistopheles. The voice from Heav-
 en which calls ssMarguerite'' toward
 the conclusion of the work, was sung by Mrs. F. B. Granniss, wife of the secretary of the society. The solo, : ists were of the high standard thai z the society always brings toN the city 5 for it's productions and their work 5 Twas generously applauded by audi enee and chorus.
 t MT. Hackett made splendid E Faust, Miss Heinrich's pure, sweet so , prano fitted the part of Marguerite , MT. Reid's part of Rrander, while no
 so large as that of the other three
 characters, was particularly we'll ren
 dered while MT. Cornell added mucI
 dramatic emphasis to his part making 1t more realistic and much enjoyed
 by all who witnessed 1t.
 : The work of the chorus was worthy of the highest praise. Particular. fine also was the male chorus whicI was heard first in the Easter hymn il : part second and later in the ro1lick
 ing songs of the students.
 5t'The Damnation of Faust'' will b,
 chronicled as the most successful [ concert in every way of Nthat splen
 Idid organization which is doing rnucI 7 to keep up a high standard of musica : appreciation in this city