The weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1891-1894, 1893-04-07
UNION RELIGIOUS SERVICE.
An Impressive Easter Celebration at
the Opera House Last
Sunday.
Classical Music Artistically Rendered
BY Local Talcnt-Details of
Programme.

u ELuSACl hCio nv liz otSAu
house on Sunday. 1t was a union eff
fort. not only of the various religious
denominations of the city, but Of many
citizens who mako no claim to being
formal Christians; and while the stage,
which was beautifully decorated with
flowers and plants, accommodated the
Choral society Of nearly 100 voices the
orchestra and the ministers of tie gospel
of all the sects represented here except
the Catholic and Episcopal, the audito-
rum was thronged as it never was be
fore by an audience comprising 'all sorts
and conditions of men, every one of
whom vas impressed with the s lemnity
of the occasion, SO that it seemed that a
deep religious fervor had possession Of
every heart when the service was fairly
begun.
The perfection OF the work of the
Choral society WIS a surprise to every
body. The society was organized about
six months ago through the zeal of Mrs.
Rolfe, Mrs. Tracy, Prof. jackson, and "A
few others, so that its time for practice
and training had not been sufficient to
warrant anyone in expecting a perform
ance so even and artistic. Every mem
Der Of the society is deserving of praise
for the excellent work done on this occa-
son. In order to fully appreciate the
merits of the undertaking the class of
music performed must be considered.
In Dudley Bucks grand anthem, Christ
the Lord Is Risen Today" Miss Eva
Conner sustained the soprano part with
wonderful effect. This piece gave the
assemblage a foretaste of what was to be
expected and prepared the way for the
earnest and spiritual invocation by the
Rev. John Reid, Jr. The great compass
and pure quality Of Miss Corners voice
were given fuller scope in the opera
house than she has enjoyed in any of
her previous appearances in this city.
and the other parts by Miss Iota West
and b.. II. Jones were also finely render
ed. The chorus sang in perfect time
and voice throughout this selection, and
on any secular occasion would have re
ceived an encore such as would have
cheered the hearts Of professionals.
Here perfect stiffness rcigued. aud like
an inspiration in the midst Of peaceful
contemplation came the opening prayer
by Mr.. Reid of the Presbyterian church
which sank deep INTO every heart.
An anthem from Rossini's "Stabat
Mater was the next selection, Mrs.
Rolfe leading with the soprano part.
This lady had been i%ndisposed for sever
al days and left the house for this SER
vice against the advice of friends. But
in spite of a slight weakness of voice
due to illness she sang the number with
touching pathos, showing by her artistic
phrasing and execution that she posses
SEES "a finely cultivated voice. In this
piece the chorus also distinguished it
self, as did the accompanies, and or
chestra.
OF the eighteen numbers on the pro-
gramme five were hymns sung by the ell
tire congregation. These were selected
by rofessor Jackson with special refer
ones in the hymnal. They were sung
with "a spirit that did everybody good
ih that vast audience, the trained singers
and orchestra aiding in each.
The other classical numbers were,
Chapple's anthem, Christ Our Pass
over IAN de Waters DAY of Days
sung by Mrs, Rolfe; Sullivan's anthem,
Il Will Mention Thy Loving Kindness"
tenor part by Prof. jackson; anthem
from Gounod's Redemption" and the
"Hallelujah' chorus from Ilandels
Messiah Professor Jackson sweet
and finished tenor brought tears TO
many eyes. There is IA pathetic strain
about the voice which thrills all hearers,
and while the professors advancing
years have diminished It's strength and
volume, its quality remains as clear as a
bell.
One of tho musical features of the
service which was greatly enjoyed was
the violin solo by Madame Ericke. She
is an artist Of rare ability. and the only
regret was that an encore WAS not 10
order. The vocation and Chickrriug
grand piano as played 10y Mrs. Tracy and
Prof. Lorillard added much to the
effectiveness Of the orches raj acorn
paniment, the vocation especially lend
ing a richnesS of tone S oh as could not
be produced by any other instrument.
Az a musical director Prof jackson
has few Supporters in this country. The
complete artistic success gained by the
Choral society in til $ be utifu| service
is admitted by all to be largely du, to
his careful training and the sympathetic
interest that he has taken in the society
His direction was mastery throughout,
leaving nothing to be desired in this re-
spect.
The brief remark. by the Rev. j. d.
Rsid of the Congregational church on
Immortality" should have been heard
by all present, but the speaker did moi
realize the size Of the building and there
fore failed to make himself heard by a
large part of the audience. His remarks
were calculated to set people to think
ing of a better world than this, and t.
take them away from tho sordid things
OF life to better thoughts and higher
aims.
The ~ser.ice AS a whole wa; a notable
success =, and win always be remembered
with satisfaction by those who were
present.
About 1870 Tuesd y night a fire wa
discovered in the clubhouse adjoining tn
Arlington hotel in North Great Falls