Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-02-01
HEARDBYATHRONG
The Free Rendition Of the
Great Messiah
PACKS THE HOUSE TOTS LIMIT
The Oratorio Society al Last Sings to .
Multitude Which Is Moved With
Pleasure and Surprise.

Probably the grandest concert ever
held in this city took place in Hartmsn's
hall last evening when the oratorio So
ciety sang Handeps great masterpiece,
'The Messiah"
For the past four years the oratorio
society has sung "The Messiah" during
the holiday season; but this season the
prevalence Of the grip prevented the
society from carrying out its customary
program. 1t was finally decided to
sing the great religious masterpiece at
q Sunday evening concert. The an
nouncement called forth some strong
expressions of disapproyal from the
'unco' guid,' but many OF the leading
ministers of the city defended
the resolution of the society. believing
that il would not injure the morals of
the public to listen on Sunday evening
to the music OF this composition. The
concert last evening was announced for
$50 o'clock, at the close of the regular
church services. By .he time church
services were over, the hall WAS
well filled. Hundreds upon hun
dreds came from the churches,
and at S:45 every foot OF the room IN
the great hall. from the faithest end OF
the stage 10 the entrance OF the lobby.
was illied. Seats III the south side OF
the gallery had been reserved for hon
orary me uibcrs. but the crowd rushed
by the Policemen who were guarding
the space. and flied every seat. After
every inch OF standing room on the
main foor, the galleries and III the hail
was filled. hundreds were turned
away unable to get entrance to build
ing. Eaiseds seats had been constructed
ON the stage. and were occupied by The
chorus which numb .red about seventy
five.
Opened with Prayer
At s:45 Albert ii. Morehead slgnaled
for the orchestra TO b,gn and the
chorus and audience sang Corona
tion." DR.. 5. Fl. Cobb offered an elo-
auent prayer. At the close of the
prayer DR.. Cobb made a short address.
lie stated that such concert was
strictly religious festival and was as
reverent means of worshippIng Al
mighty God rs attending church would
be. Heath ought such Il concert was a
musical sermon and would bring man
nearer the heart OF the great master
of life than the most eloquent appeal
in words ever could; that while the
hall wasn't church. yet the divine
master did not question the temple III
which tribute was paid to him. He
thought that any course OF action
which would bring that grand musical
story of the Son of Man nearer to the
lives of the proLle must have an over
whelming influence for good, and he
did not believe a man, woman or chIld
would leave the hall at the
close of the concert without being
better and purer for having attended.
DIR. Cobb seemed to have struck re-
spons.ve chord. for 4,5O0 people forgot
1t was Sunday night, and cheered him
heartily.
Excellent Chorus and Soioisis.
OF the concert itself too much praise
cannot be given. The chorus work was
especially strong, and the colo parts
were all well taken and sung with feel
ing. Mr. Henry Schmit sang "Comfori
lie Ny People," Prepare Ye the. Way"
and Every Valley Shall Be Exalted"
with marked expression. Mr.. Franc: {
Campbell sang the recitatlve Thus
Attn the Lord of Hosts" and the bass
colo, "But Who Shall Abide?" with his
usual excellence. The bass recitativs
'.For Behold Darkness Shall Cover
and the air "The People that Walked -
were sung by l.. p. Eddy with strong
force ana expression. Mr.. C.. X. Nch.
ols' soprano solos, "Rejoicc Greatly
Come Unto Him" and"rhe Angel said
Unto Them," were all rendered in al
exquisite mapner. Perhaps the mosi
beautiful solos of the cyeping were Mrs
Fyfe's alto recitative, ''Then Shall the
Eyes of the Blind" and the air ale
Snail Feed HIS Flock" Miss Emms
LOOMS sang HE was Despised and
Rejected of Men" with feeling, and Mr.
w. II. LOOMS solos, "Thy Rebuk,
Hath Broken" and "But Thou Dds
not Leave" were charming IN expires
sion. Andrew Fyfe's bass air. "Why
Do the Nations Rage" Wac rendered il
a delightful manner.
The cEcrus we're all we'll sung. Tht
principal choruses. "For Unto to Us 6
Child Is Born" "Iift Up Your Heads
q Ye Gates." and the grand "Hailelu
jah" were sung with an enthusiasm
and expression that captivated the en-