Evening journal., 1919-12-29
CHORUSTRIUMPHS
IN ADVENT Song
Impressive Rendition of Han
del's Messiah" Heard BY
Crowded Theatre
CONGRATULATIONS
FOR BARNHART

torlo, "'rhe Messiah by the Whining
ton Community Chorus. at the Play
house yesterday afternoon was splen-
aid climax 20 the joyous Christmas
week. 4 spectacle Of light and color
and beauty. as we'll as an OutpOuring
OF wonderful song the famous oratorio
OF the Nativity was one OF the finest
musical events ever enjoyed by the CITY.
Half an hour before the time set for
the opening Of the concert, the Play
house and It's entrance corridors over
flowed with people. All that could be
seated and all that could find room to
stand were admitted. but even at mat
nearly a thousand persons had TO De
turned away for lack Of room.
As the curtain rose upon the chorus,
with Its whlte-dressed wOmep, the au-
dlence broke into spontaneous APPLAUSE,
which was frequently repeated except
in the more solemn parts Of the ora
lorlo. when the listeners felt too much
as II they were I'm church TO make hand
clapping appropriate. The audience
Joined with The chorus, under the lead
ership OF Harry Barnhardt, in singing
the great Christmas hymn, "Adeste
Fideles." followed by Holy Night.
The singers were accompanied by
Stausbachs strlnged orchestra with
Frederick Watson alternately at piano
and organ. The playing Of the musi-
clans was one OF the finest features or
fhe performance, calling forth many ad-
mlring comments from the audience.
When full lights went on for the
opening Of the oratorio, the chorus was
disclosed cloaked in gray-blue vestures'
loaned by the Buffalo chorus. giving an
effect Of soft, blue moonlight
The prophesy from Isaiah OF the
coming Of the Redeemer, comfort ye
my People, sung by Henry W. Bas-
tow, a prominent church and concert
sololst. OF New York, was excellenily
given. Mr.. Bastow has a rich and
resonant tenor voice, through lacking
q little in warmth Of feeling He song
the dlflcult Every valley shall be ex-
allied" with ease and sincerity.
Madame Gertrude Aud, soprano SOLO
ist, also a leading New York singer,
made a very favorable impression. Her
voice Is rich and her Interpretation
sensitive and colorful. also she is a
woman OF magnetic personality. Her
recltatives. There were Shepherds
and particularly the famous u know
that my Redeemer liveth," were beau
tlfully sung.
Aster an, IL was the chorus which
did The best work yesterday. and VII
m.nFton felt very proud that It was so.
Didn't know we had anything Ike
that IN the city" was the exclamation
OF more than one agreeably surprised
person. The chorus OF 800 voices did not
attempt the entire oratorio, but gave
the better known numbers. The Glory
of the Lord" Unto us a Child Is born,
GLORY 20 Cod" and the "Hallelujah
Chorus"
Under the magic baton Of Mr.. Barn
hart. the chorus sang with a delicacy
and beauty Of modulation that was
pralseworthy in a high degree. One Of
their best sung numbers. which thrilled
The audience. was not a part Of iht
orat0riO but the well-lOved Christmas
song OF Adam, 20 Holy Night, the Star;
Are Brightly Shining" The concert
closed with The singing Of two carols
cy al in the Playhouse.
"Rark the Herald Angels Sing and
gov TO the World" After the cur
tain had descended. the voices OF the
chorus could be heard singing, Abide
With Me"
When the announcement OF the Ma
ilvlty was reached in the oratorio, al
lights were dimmed, and the attention
a. the audience directed 10 the orches.
ira DIT The pit had been filed witt
evergreen. Now red. green blue anC
white tiny electric lights shone ou
amid the hr branches. and a cradle
noanger became brightly Illuminated
showing a representation OF the Hol!
babe of Bethlehem Above. two shep
herd boys lighted candle,torchcs at the
sides of the stage. and procession o
enc,ently cosiumed young women pass
ed across the front OF the stage In tn
center. The reader. Miss F. Ethel WI
son told the Scripture narrative OF th'
frst Christmas night while the or
chestra played very softly lullaby &C
companlmcnt. Miss Wilson read tn
sacred story very admirably. in clear
musical voice. The procession Of Egyp
.ian girls then passed among the audi
cnce with collection baskets. fnsll'
lcaving the baskets before the cradle
marger.
The success OF the Christmas oratorl'
30 surpassed the expectations OF tn
chorus. that they are now planning e
give a public Easter concert. IL wa
evident 10 all that the Wilmington pub
iic approves and VIII heartily supper
.uch public concerts. Contributions o
those who held reserved seats. OF adver
Users in the souvenir programs, an'
the collection taken at the Playhous
VIII 20 FAR towards paying the expenses
which it goes without saying are al
ways heavy az cercert given In first
class shape. There was over $500 takel
at the collection yesterday afternoon.
The chorus has received many re
quests for n repetition Of Yesterday
concert. The Creation" may be givel
at Easter. The chorus has also receives
a request from Newark n. j., that the,
should go 20 that city 10 join with tn
N-wark chorus In singing Gaurs "Hol'
CITY"
There will be no community sing a
the High school tomorrow night. choru
members desiring little vacation afte
their strenuous efforts.
Members OF the Egyptian girls tab
iosu were: Margaret Armstrong, lea
bella Berry. Pauline Buck, Eliza
both. Bartram. Beatrice Caufilcl Haze
Caunlel, Dorothy Grove, Florenc
Fuller. Marjorie Guthrie, NJ Alfred
Haace. Mary Helndle., Martha Lloyd. Ma
belle Lockard. Frances Logan, Edna j
MacDanlel. Clara Parks, Edith Ruth, Ed
ne Strong. EstelIa stewart. Ruth Wi
son. F. Ethel Wilson, reader.