The Messiah

Weduesday evening, the lBth of December, is the date of the second concert in the Choral Union series. This concert will be the flf tieth in the complete series. In looking back over the record of the past few years one is astonished at the developments which have taken place. The list of great works perf'ormed includes many of the most important in choral literature, and displays a wise catholicity of spirit. The choiee of Handel's " Messiah " for this special concert has everything to commend it. A performance of the "Messinh"is, or should be, a part of the Christmas observances. The performance bids fair to be a most excellent one. The soloists are all of them worthy of the work, while the chorus is full of enthusiasm and ambition to make this occasion a memorable one. Mrs. Bishop has won her greatest successes in this work. Mrs Cameron and Mr. Hamlin have sung it repeatedly and are to take part insome of the most important productions of the work in Xew York, Chicago, etc. Mr. Lam son gives the same broad forceful readings of the bass solos in the " Messiah," which make his "Elijah " unapproachable. The orchestra will contain pickpd musicians from Detroit and Chicago, headed by our own Mr. Zei'z, as concert master. The Frieze memorial organ will also be used. The Franz version with the additional accompaniment will be followed. This concert while it encourages a retrospective glance at the record of the Choral l'nion, suggests the desirability of looking ahead at the fature of the Musical Society. The Mu.-ical Society has ass'imed and is carrying at the present time a heavy burden Of responsibility. With no capital other than the good will of the community and the reputation airead y won, it conducts the School of Music, the Choral Union Series, and is straining every nerve to procure an Auditorium, which shali have a large seating capacity, and faeilities not alone for concerts, but for thé production of Grand Opera by the great Metropolitan Opera Company. as well as by any other organization which is strictly tirst-class. In other words, the Musical Society hopes to make Aun Arbor the musical center, not alone of Mi . .ïigai;, but of this whole section. It may be stated, in spite of financial depression, substancial progress has been made in this clirection, and the prospects were never biighter for the securing of sucli an Auditorium than theyare today. But in order that there may be a satisfactory outcome of this scheme, it is essential that there be 110 falling off in the apparent necessity for scich a building. It will be remembered that last ear no advertising was done outside and no reduced raUroad rates secured. On account of the election excitement and various o'her complications the number of tickets sold up to the present time does not warrant the Society ia pnrsuingthe policy of last year Many are waiting for the Festival. In that case they wiil be obliged to pay as mueh as for the entire series, or run the chance of not being able to secure icketa. If it becomes necessary to advertise the Festival throughout the state, all tickets remaining unsold after the evening of J in. 8th, the date of the 3d Concert, will be withdrawn from sale in Ann Arbor, and held for the pa rons from various parts of the state. It is impossible for the Musical Society to secure patronage from people throughout the state unless reserved seats can be guaranteed, which necessitates this st itement. On the other hand, if it is seen that the sale will warrant the Society in so doing, no eftort will be made to secure attendance from outside.