Church of St. Francis Xavier Sunday Services

“The [service] was distinguished…[by] the superb music by the full choir, the members of which had just returned from their summer vacation...

[Lists works performed and performers.] [The singers] sang the highly dramatic music of Mercadante with a spirit, finish and ensemble that lent a new interest to its well known measures. The bass solos in the ‘Gloria’ and ‘Credo’ were admirably given in the rich, full tones of Signor Bacelli’s voice. [Illeg.] is a work musicianly in every respect, and, particularly in the ‘Agnus,’ presents features of interest in the themes and harmony that one would scarcely look for in a mass of the present day by an American composer. The alto solo, which forms the principal part of the ‘Agnus,’ was sung by Miss Mary Werneke with rare fervor and expression.

GEORGIAN MUSIC

being wisely banished from this church, the vespers presented many choice works of a varied character. They commenced with a ‘Domine ad adjurandum ave testina,’ by Berge, which was followed by ‘Dixit Dominus,’ ‘Laudate’ and ‘Magnificat,’ by Asioli. Both composers tend strongly towards the brilliant and sparkling in style, and with a well trained choir their works never fail to produce a marked effect. After them came an ‘Ave Verum,’ by Tamaro in an entirely different style, calm, devotional and beautiful in melody, in which the composer’s highly cultivated tenor voice found a congenial subject. Miss Teresa Wernecke sung Bassini’s ‘Savle Regina,’ a charming soprano solo, and gave it all its wealth of expression and effect. Berge’s ‘Tantum Ergo,’ No. 5, with which the vespers concluded, has some fine unison passages for the chorus. Haydn’s Mass No. 2 will be sung on next Sunday. It is the intention of the organist, Dr. Berge, to give during the coming year the best masses of Haydn, Mozart, Gounod, Donizetti, Zingarelli, Liszt and many masters of the French school.”