The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1863-02-04
m usical Convention.

Musical Convention.
The great local excitement of last week
was the Musical Convention of the singers
Of Northern Iowa, under direction Of Prof
Geo. F. Root, assisted BY II. G. Bird, plan.
ist. The exercises opened on Tuesday
morning and ere nightfall an effective cho
rus Of near two hundred singers were at
work. There was fine, delegation of
twenty singers from. Wsukon, and lesser
numbers from Fayette, West Union, Ian.
sing, Elkader, Farmersburg and other
points adiaccnt--not to omit the presence
of Judge Pritchard, and Miss Wilson, of
GAINESVILLE. .-...--....s-.~-..---... ........ ...
In the general exercises Of the conven-
ton, Mr.. Root was honest, earnest, and
successful, winning the good will and clos
est attention Of all the members of the
convention. ... .....- ,..-
On Thursday evening, interesting
public exercise by the convention drew
many Of our citizens to the church to pass
a pleasant hour. On Friday evening the
grand concert took place, and was attended
by larger crowd than ever assembled be-
fore in the church. The choruses, which are
the great attraction on such occasions as
this, was splendid, and called out high
encomiums from Mr.. Root. They were of
= very high character, as will be perceived
from this extract of the programmes
"Song of the Oaks" by Verdi; Operate
chorus ''Gaily Launch and Lightly Row."
from Mcrcadante; ''We hail thee, glad
Spring time," from Auber; "The God Of
Israel" from Rossini; THE Glory OF the
Lord" and the "Grand Hallelujah Chorus"
from Handles Oratorio Of the Messiah
The remainder of the programme was filled
up with songs, etc. Miss Bell, Of West
Union, sang with credit to herself, though
her voice was too light for the concert
| room. Mrs Calkins. Of Waukon, also
| favored the audience with fine song, the
name Of which We cannot now recall. Mr..
Baly and his daughter sang the Lesson
Of the Country BOBBY" in manner cred
liable to the venerable hairs Of the old
gentleman. A gentleman from Minnesota
gave with great gusto MY Fathers Half
Bushel," and received an encore. Messrs.
| Root, and Bird, and Mrs. Remck sang a
fine trio from the opera Attilla, in very
artistic manner. Mrs. II. c. Scott Of this
place, sang very beautiful song of Reick,
hardt's, entitled ''Thou art go near, and yet
SO far" in which she fully main tanned her
old reputation, and earned the hearty ap.
plause of the audience. Mrs. Hopkins and
Mrs. Culver gave fine Duet entitled
"Alpine Maids" in a very creditable man.
ner. Mrs. Remick sang the beautiful cav
atina from Rossini entitled obi Tanti Pal.
pite," in manner which fully sustained
the coed expectations Of all her old friends.
Right here, by way Of parenthesis, we may
be permitted to remark that no CITY in the
Union, Of the population of McGrcgor
probably has within its limits two such
finely cultivated soprano singers as Mrs
Scott and Mrs. Remick. They would be
an honor to the concert halls of any Of GU,
large cities. Miss Munger, who has very
rich and full mezzo soprano voice, showed
excellent taste in her selection and render.
ing of Ruth and Naomi" Without dis
paraging others, We may be permitted to
remark that the finest vocal gem of the
evening was the beautiful aria "In questt
semplice," from the opera Bently, by Mrs
Culver, Of n. Y, who has been for brie
time visiting friends in McGregor. W.
have heard operate stars from the new and
old world, who have been heralded by
flaming advertisements, whose honest mer
its fell short of those SO modcstly possessed
by this estimable lady. Mr.. Bird, and
Mrs. Scott played in excellent manner, tn.
brilliant Duet Of Gottschalk's, entitled
"Ojos Creollos," although Mrs. S. did MOI
see the music until 10 o'clock Of the day
of the concert. Mr.. bird executed upor
upon the piano a musical composition o
rare brilliancy, in which he introduced
"Greenville," and "Old Hundred" which
he played simultaneously, the former witt
the right hand, and the latter with the left
He was enthusiastically applaudsd. =.
Before concluding the exercises of tn
convention, Mr.. Root paid a very hand
some compliment to the business interests
and musical attainments Of the dwell:rs il
the narrow city-in both respects declar
ing it to be the finest town Of its population
J he had ever visited. a .# asr-
The gross expenses Of the convention
were about $500, 90, and there remains il
the hands Of the executive committee abou
$4,000 which will be devoted for charitable
purposes.