The Washington times., 1921-01-12
"MESS|AH" IS SUNG
BY CHORUS Of 500
0ratorio Attracts Audience
Which Fills Central High
School Auditorium.

Handles great oratorio THE Mes
siah." was given its annual rendition
last evening by the Washington Ora
torio Society of $50 voices sydney
Lloyd Wrightson. conductor, before
an audience that flled the large audi
torium Of Central High School. The
great choruses of this sacred choral
work are its monuments In musical
history. The chorus last evening told
this Bible story in great volume OF
tone, with rcverent sincerity that rang
out the noble text in impressive re-
Spouse to the directors command.
1t means much that $50 volunteer
singers OF Washington unite in this
choral service" They have reached
a dignificd place. They deliver their
message with "A variety OF meaning,
rising to heights in clear-cut vital
passages. making such words as
Wonderful. Councillor" rich in tone
and gripping in meaning. or they
bring depth into the Behold the
Lamb of God" and anguish into Surely
He hath borne our griefs.
THE SOLOISTS.
Three strangers to Washington
came as soloists for this rendition OF
THE Messiah" Charles Troxell, tenor
disclosed a lovely lyric voice of abso-
lutte purity and sweetness that gave
a spiritual meaning to the text. He
was not dramatic, nor was his pathos
dominant in the recital. but he sang
with delightful execution and with
artistic color and phrasing.
Mary Beisser. contralto, the only
| solost OF Washington, acquitted her
self with more than excellent effect
trr-t. u to- ay
mellow voice and she sings with ex-
cellent execution that is smooth and
| well phrased What she lacks is more
intensity Of feeling. She is too placid
but it is safe quality, for freedom
comes with experience, and Miss
Beisser sings with beauty of tone
depth and finish.
The quality Of serene message
rather than a great dramatic one, was
present with all OF the soioists
Betsy Land Shepherd has light lyric
soprano voice, fine in quality, pure
and smooth. She gave the music
with appreciation, but there was moi
that stirring spiritual conviction that
| lifts The Messiah" to its full signifi-
canoe. In Fred Patton. bass, an ora
torio artist Of excellence was heard
Mr.. Patton gave this great music ad
mirable execution, though the body
| Of his voice Is not rich in t!mbre
| Dramatic spirit animated it. with that
authority for which this exacting
work demands it's largest quota from
| the bass solost.
The male chorus needs a specia
| word of praise. 1t was splendid In
round force, in precision and in rich
outpouring. To Mr.. Wrightson, to
Harvey Murray at the organ, and &c
the excellent support of Claude Robe
son at the piano. the public of Wash
ington is indebted for an excellent
Nrendition of the Chritmas Oratorio.
REPEATED TONIGHT.
The Washington Oratorio Societ,
| will repeat it's performance of THE
Messiah" at the same place this eve
| ming. No tickets OF admission are
necessary, the doors will be open &c
| the public at 7:15 o'clock, and there
| will not be one seat reserved for any
one. The program will be exactly the
/ same as last night, with the sam,
! three soloists from New York and
the local soloist. Miss Beisscr. and tho
chorus of $50 voices with Mr.. Harvey
! Murray at the organ, Nj Claude
Robson at the piano, and Mr.. Sydne,
Lloyd Wrightson, conductor.
JESSIE MacBRIDE.