Mendelssohn Union Concert

“This energetic association is giving to its subscribers a series of concerts at its room—Dr. Crosby’s Chapel . . . One of these concerts took place last night before a larger audience than the neat and comfortable little chapel would seat. Mr. Bergé  conducted and played the accompaniment on a Knabe piano, and in fact was the motive power of the whole affair.

            The programme was varied, opening with Mendelssohn’ ‘Athalie’ in its seven long numbers—the admired ‘Priest’s March’ being played by Mrs. Boardman and C. Bergé. This performance of ‘Athalie’ was not entirely satisfactory. The singers formed really one of the best, if not the largest, chorus ever heard in this city, but sang the music as if from a sense of duty rather than a feeling of love. The room was also too small for the full, clear body of sound which they gave forth, and the same performance, if in a larger room, would have a much finer effect. As it was the selection and fair performance of so elaborate a work shows what this admirable society is capable of.

            The second part of the programme was devoted to the lighter works of modern composers. The final quartet of the last act of ‘Atilla’ [sic] a highly dramatic composition; the Prayer and two choruses from ‘Moses in Egypt’; and the Liberty duet from ‘Puritani’ were all well sung and well received, the list of solo performers including Mrs. Cooper, a charming vocalist, who ought to be brought more prominently before the public, Miss Mayer, Mr. Duclos, Mr. Eddy, Mr. Lewis and Mr. Werneke. The solo singers in ‘Athalie’ were Miss Sims, Mrs. Holbrook and Miss Mayer.