Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-01-17
WEDNESDAY CLUB RENDERS
HANDEL's THE "MEss|AH'
Splendid Presentation Is Given Be
fore Large Audience at the
City Auditorium.
AIDED by LOCAL ORCHESTRA
Various Solo Parts Arc Brilliantly
Sung and Arc Accorded Warm
Applause w. Henry Baker
Shows Skill as Conductor.

Under the mastery leadership OF
Conductor w. Henry Baker. the wed
nesday Club Chorus with orchestra and
soloists. gave splendid presentation
Of lIa ndcl's majestic oratorio, "'rhc
Messiah" a the City Auditorium las
evening a large audience was in at
tendance. and many evidences OF in
tense interest and thorough apprcca =
ton were shown. While tho oratorio
was given with many cuts and o,nis-
S!ons, substantially two hours were
taken in it's prescpta ton.
Tho chorus acquitted Itself with
great credit. and the response to the
coductor's baton WAS apparent in OK
ccllcnt phrasinE and good contrasts.
The clearncss Of cnunc:ation OF chorus
and soloists must be especially re-
marked. and the evenings enjoyment
was largely augmented by this fca-
tUrc. This chorus was strong numcr-
cally in sopranos. less so in altos. and
weak as TO tenor and bass. though the
male sections made themselves felt 1t
of parts surprisingly good.
The orchestra, composed OF local mu-
sicians. was d remarkably efficient or
Eanization, and really presented many
splendid effects. the Pastoral Sym
phony WAS delightfully."- done. tho beau
blending of the strineed Instruments
making this one of tho choicest nuns
hers OF the evening. The violins were
especially able. and it is matter Of
much local pride that so good an orches-
ira can he recruited among our must
clans. II anything, there was notable
liChtncSs in tho brass parts. where
most needed, in the IIallclujah Chorus.
though here again those who comprised
this section made the most OF their
opportunities.
The soioists in their respective num-
bcrS sang with distinction and were
accorded warm applause. \ particular
tribute of praise must be paid to Miss
Pcyton, who made n triumphai debut in
tho field of oratoro volume. She sang
her numbers like a seasoned performer
and achieved splendid results. Her
Rejoice Greatly" was especially beau
tiful: her high tones. in particular,
were characterized throushout the
evening BY power and brilliancy.
And Suddenly There Was With the
Angel" was a delight TO the ear. We
confidently prophecy 4 splendid career
for her.
Mrs. Hamilton Smith gave her num-
bers effectively and in excellent voice,
though At times with q reserve df tone
which did not carry over tho orchestra.
ficr air. He Was DeSpiscd.' was given
with splendid quality and color. and
made marked impression. Likewise.
her air. TIC Shall Feed His Flock.
was effectively done.
Mr.. Blake in his several recitativcs
and airs. sang with authority and as
surancc and with fidelity 10 the spirit
Of the text. His voice was we'll apt
cd TO the Messiah" selections. and he
made a splendid impression in his in
tcrprcations. His Comfort Ye" and
"Ev'ry Valley" were we'll phrased. tho
Behold and Sec" with its recitativc.
Thy Eebukc Has Broken His Heart"
wcrc given with marked dramatic
fcrvor.
MIR. Bryant added fresh laure!s 10
those which he already enjoys in the
esteem of Richmond music lovers. His
phrasinK and musicaniy treatment Of
his numbers merits high praise. and he
displayed an authority OF breath-ccn-
troll which is rare: many OF the long
passages which he easily conquered
with a single breath arc frequently
broken By oratorio hasscs of distinc-
ton. who might learn something from
him in this respect. His Who Ma"
hhide" and why 10 tho Nations" were
brilliantly sung.
Many OF the chorus numbers ue-e
notable in the character of their Pc
sentation. notably tho LIFT u Your
Heads and tho ALWAYS sterling Hal
leiujah" Chorus. While there were oc-
casIonal deviations from pitch and
tempo. they were So Slight and infre-
qucn, that they may we'll he passed
over. The entire presentation merits
unpialiicd praise in all It's features.