Shall I ever forget the
sight of those splendid young men as they marched away, company after
company. As I saw them in the strength of their manhood going to their
destruction, my heart wept inwardly knowing many of them would never
return. But those at home had no time for repining, and we were called
upon also to supply the needs of the soldier who was fighting for us
with willing hands and stout heart. Each one kept busy. Our choir was
enlisted when the call came for funds, and faithfully we all
responded. Many choirs were united by Edwin Bruce, and we were at once
formed into a chorus of willing singers, great and small, in the
realms of music, and in several months were well equipped for the work
of raising funds for the war needs. The chorus was formed from Dr.
Burgess' choir of Dedham, Newton Musical Association, Boudoin Street
choir, Church of the Unity choir, the Bullfinch choir, number 200
voices in all. We were known as the Operatic Bouquet of artists. Our
repertoire consisted of national and martial songs, our choruses
selected from the following great compositions:
Il Trovatore, Verdi; Lucrezia Borgia, Donizetti; Martha,
Flotow; Semiramide, Rossini; War Songs (male voices), Adams;
Bohemian Girl, Balfe; I Puritani, Bellini; Maritana,
Wallace; Masaniello, Auber; Enchantress, Balfe; Hark,
Apollo, H.R. Bishop; Enchantress (male voices) Balfe; solo
and choruses from Lucrezia Borgia, Donizetti; Hail to the
Chief, Il Templario, Nicolai; quintette and chorus from
Martha, Flotow; Miserere, from Il Trovatore, Verdi; Chorus
of Martyrs, Donizetti; La Fille Du Regiment, Donizetti;
chorus from Maritana, Wallace; chorus from Il Lombardi,
Verdi; trio and chorus, Attila, Verdi; solo and chorus,
Martha, Flotow; trio, Charity, Rossini; trio and chorus,
Ernani, Verdi; chorus, full, Gibby La Cornemuse, Clapisson.
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