The evening world., 1917-04-02
Vdrese Conducts
Scranton Chorus
In BerLiOz Mass
By SgiUester RaUiing.

ID sung at the Hippodromc last
night in honor Of the dead SOL
dIors OF all nations at war. It at
tracted almost capacity audience
that always was intent and sometimes
was aroused to enthusiastic approval.
The work was proclaimed By $50
members OF tho Scranton Oratorlo
Society, John T. Watkins conductor;
an orchestra OF $50 players recruited
from the Philharmonic and othor
local societies. and Lambert Murphy.
tho New York tonor. az soloist. all
under the direction Of the distin-
guished French musician. Edward
Narese. well known. before the war.
In most European music circles.
Mr.. Vareso did his "bir' I'm tho
trenches. was wounded and was hon
orably released from further service.
Ho came to America months ago for
concert work but mot with on auto
mobile accident which kept him In
hospital a long timo. Thanks to the
interest no compelled from wealthy
New York music lovers we got last
nights Palm Sunday celebration Of
tho Berlioz mass. rarely sung here
and not at all In recent years. Tho
Scranton chorus. which has won wide
attention. was selected, rohcarsed aud
brought TO New York for the occa-
sion. the orchestra was recruited, and
Mr. NNrcso was invited to conduct by
these patrons.
Despite the running Are OF applause.
the performance left much to be- de-
sired. The greatest among composers
and musicians often are mediocre con-
ductors. Take, for instance. Beet
hoven, who shade some pitiful CA-
hibitions OF himself In that capacity.
80. without disrcspcct, Il may be said
OF Mr.. Varese that ne did not get al
that might have been expected out of
tho instrument upon which he played.
That instrument, tOO-thc combined
chorus and orchestra not always
respond to MIR. Varese's desire IN tho
manner ho had reason TO expect
Manifestly this was due TO Mr.. Va
rese's ignorance of English and TO
the lack OF knowledge OF French by
the chorus, which must have been
embarrassing at rehearsal But there
were fine moments In tho "DicS lrac,"
the REX Trcmcndae." tho "Lacry-
mOsa" and the "SanCtus," In which
Mr.. Murphy got "A chance 20 show his
art--not 10 forget the "Oncrtory"
Mr.. Narese was gracious to all his
forces. lie insisted that the chorus,
tho orchestra, MIR. Murphy ana Mr..
Watkins should share with him any
tribute the audience paid. There was
something pathetic In the effort ho
made to conceal his lingering lamc-
ness us he chased across the stage 10
bring the reluctant Mr. Murphy and
Mr.. Watkins to the front.
Franz X. Arons closed the Peoples
Symphony Society's concerts at Car
nogio Hall yesterday afternoon with
tho "Marcho Slav" Of TschaikuwslSy
ITO celebrate Russian Freedom"
Tschaikowsky's NTH symphony also
was ON tho programme. Nina Nor
dana, soprano. sang tho mad scene
from DOnizettis Lucia" ana tho
waltz song from GounOd's "Mireillc."
There was IA large and enthusiastic
audience: but Mr.. Arens's young men
have played with far better effect
At ACOllan Hall at the Same time
Harold Bauer ana Ossip Gabrilo-
witsch, world famous pianists, gave
audience. BaCh's prelude and fuGue In
& minor, Mozarts sonata In ID major
aud compositions by Chopin, Schuett
and Arensky were ON their pro-
grammc. Al tho Punch and Judy
Theatre. also at the same time, Lydia
Ferguson, pupil OF Yvetto Guilbert.
gave some interesting interpretations,
In costume, @. songs OF diverse char
acter. She was assisted by Mildred
DllllnG, harpist. but the lady who
played admirable piano accompani-
mcnts, who was she? Her name was
not printed ON the programme, In
tho evening. at the Punch and Judy
Theatre. Tom Dobson gave ono OF his
simple, characteristic and charming
recitals OF songs To his own aCcom-
panimcnt at the piano. A large audi
enco enjoyed his entertainment, the
last OF his season.
An unusual and delightful concert
was that at tho metropolitan Opera
House last evening. There was q
great audience and every number
shared In the praise. Tho entire
chorus and orchestra, under the d.
reCtiOn OF Giulio Sctti, gave the
Flower Scene" from Berlioz's "Dan-
nation OF Faust" tho prologue Of
Boito's "Meflstofeles;" the Hymn to-
tho sun, from Iris" and tho corona
tion scene from Boris GodmOn
TIN ~ WY