St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-03-07
LOCAL song BIRDS.

A Program of selections and
Cantata by the Choral Associa-
ton.
the second concert of the series by
the st. Paul Choral association was
given last evening at the Peoples
church to very large and appreciative
audience. The opening number was
the chorus 1.-THE Radiant Morn
(Wo0dwarD by the chorus of 100 male
and female voices. accompanied by a
tull orchestra and organ. This was fol-
lowed With the aria "Sound an Alarm
(HandeD, magnificently sung by Mr..
Charles A. Knorr. The choral work in
"Selectons from the Third Mass was
very fine, and the director, Mr.. Baldwin,
deserves all credit for his careful
preparation of SO large a choir i'll
so difficult a class of music.
Miss Genevra E. Johnston, the
sopraniste. whose fame was established
by her excellent work in the recently
produced cantata, "Placida," sang eX-
Quistey the aria With Verdure
Clad from Creation" She was APP
plauded TO the echo, and compelled to
return to the platform three times in
acknowledgements of the enthusiastic
reception accorded her effort. In the
second part Joseph Bennett's cantata.
".Fhe Golden Legend" was given by
the full chorus and orchestra, with Miss
Genevra F. Johnston as Elsie, Mrs. e. b.
Gale as Ursula, Charles A. Knorr as
Prince Henry. and W. A. Potter as Luz
citer. The music is by Sir Arthur Sui
exquisite efforts of the great composer.
The story OK The Golden Legend" is
as follows:
Prince Henry, of lIOheneck, lying
sick in body and mind at his castle of
Vautsberg. on the Rhine, has consulted
the famous physicians of Salerno, and
learned that he can be cured only by
the blood of a maiden who shall, OF her
own free will, consent to die for his
sake. Regarding the remedy as inn
possible, the prince gives way to des-
par, when he is visited by Lucifer, dis
guised as travelling physician. The
fiend tempts him with alcohol, to the
fascination of which he ulti-
mately yields in such measure
as to be deprived of place
and power, and driven forth as an out
cast, Prince Henry finds shelter in the
cottage of ono OF his vasSals whose
daughter, Elsie, moved by great com
her life that he might be restored. The
prayers of her mother, Ursula, are of
no avail to turn her from this purpose,
and, in cue i lie, Prin @ Henry. Il sic,
and their attendants SET our for Salerno.
On their WY they encounter band OF
pilgrims, with whom is Luc Ter, i'll the
garu o, d lriar. He also Is IOurneylng
to Salerno. On reaching their destina-
ton. Prince Henry and Elsie are re-
ceived by Lucfer, who has as
Sumed the form of Friar An
gelo, doctor of the medical
scnooI Elsie persists in her
resolve to die. despite the opposition OF
the prince, who now declares that he Ill
tended to do no more than test her con-
stancy, Luciftr draws Elsie into an
inner ehamner, but the prince and at
PENDANTS breaking down the doOr,rescue
her at the last mo nent. Mirdcui0uSlY
healed. Prince Henry marries the de-
voted maiden. and is restored to his
righttul place, The six scenes of the
cantata illustrate passages i'll the fore
going story. In the prologue, the de-
feat of LucIfer is foreShadoWed by an
inpOtent attempt to wreck the Cathe-
draI Of StraSburg. In the epilOgue, the
benefcient devotion of Elsie is cOll-
pared to the course of mountain brook,
which coOls and tertiliZes the arid plan.
Mrs. Gales singing won her continu-
GUS aud deserved applause. Her pow
erfuI contralto was fully equal to the
difficult task she had undertaken. and
she never sang better. Miss Johnson
sang the soprano solo in manner be-
yond criticism, and is without doubt
one of the sweetest sopranos ever heard
in st. Paul. The tenor of Charles
Knorr was up to its usual standard of
excellence. Mr. Knorr has voice of
wide range and excellent tone; his ar
ticulation is clear and pleasing. A.
w. Porter sang the bass part
we'll, and is deserving with the
others of the quartettc of all praise for
the excellent performance. Prof.
Samuel A. Baldwin as director showed
the perfect control he had over the loo
singers, and not a MISTAKE worthy OF
notice occurred from beginning TO end
of the performance. Selbert's orchestra
gave the difficult music Of the cantata
in faultleSS manner, and the grand
organ pealed magniGcently with f. III.
Wheeler as organist. The next and
last concert under the auspices of the
association for this season will occur
Tuesday evening. April 90, when Men
delssohn's oratorio of "Elijah" will be
given.