ntal in
its coloring. The tenor narration ("Now Morn is blushing in the Sky"),
which is very melodious in character, introduces the Angel, who in an
alto solo ("Not yet") once more dooms the Peri to wander. Her reply
("Rejected and sent from Eden's Door") is full of despair. The narration
is now taken by the baritone in a flowing, breezy strain ("And now o'er
Syria's rosy Plain"), which is followed by a charming quartet of Peris
("Say, is it so?"). Once more the baritone intervenes, followed by the
Peri; and then the tenor Narrator takes up the theme in a stirring
description of the boy nestling amid the roses, and the "passion-stained"
horseman at the fountain. The alto proclaims the vesper call to prayer,
and the tenor reflects upon the memories of the wretched man as he sees
the child kneeling. The solo baritone announces his repentance, followed
by a quartet and chorus in very broad, full harmony ("O blessed Tears of
true Repentance!"). The next number is a double one, composed of soprano
and tenor solos with chorus ("There falls a Drop on the Land of Egypt").
In an exultant, triumphant strain ("Joy, joy forever, my Work is done!"),
the Peri sings her happiness, and the chorus brings the work to a close
with the heavenly greeting, "Oh, welcome 'mid the Blessed!" The third
part is unquestionably long and wearisome, and taxes not only the voices
of the singers, but also the patience of the hearers. The first and
second, however, contain some beautiful gems, and the orchestral work is
very rich in its coloring. Taken all in all, however, it is a severe
treatment of a fanciful subject.

SPOHR.

Louis Spohr, one of the world's greatest violinists, and a composer of
world-wide fame, was born at Brunswick, April 25, 1784. Like all great
musical geniuses, his ability was displayed very early. He began to play
the violin in his fifth year, and to compose for that instrument before
he was in his teens. After studying the rudiments with several teachers,
the Duke of Brunswick induced Franz Eck, a recognized master of the
violin, to give him instruction. Spohr remained with him two years, and
accompanied him on his travels to Russia, studying, composing, and
learning much by his observation of Eck's playing. In 1805 he was
appointed leader of the band of the Duke of Gotha, and began writing
orchestral works, his compositions before that time having been mainly
for the violin. His first