The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-05-17
IN MEMORY OF MAY II,
PRELIMINARY TO THE UNWILLING
OF THE OLE BULL STATUE
TODAY.
WILLIAM w. ERWIN THE ORATOR
TIL ousands FIJI the Great Hall and
Listen to the Exer-
cises.

poet, Bjornstjerne BjOrns on, many year
ago, and the result of the inspiration
was poem which subsequently so en-
deared itself to his countrymen that 1t
became the national poem of the land
of the North. Richard Nordraak,
youth filled with national impetu-
for all that was Norwegian, took the
words and wound wreath of tones and
harmonies about them. The result was
the national anthem Of Norway. 1t is a
song denoting filial feeling towards a
land that, although poor in resources,
has managed to bind it's sons and
daughters to 1t with the strongest ties.
Yes, This Is the Country We Love-"
AS the inspiring air was sung by 100
sons of Norway at the exposition yes
terday afternoon, many hundred Nor
wegians' hearts beat In unison to the
martial tune. 1t caught their minds, re-
flecting the land of the midnight sun,
and they swayed beneath the enchant-
ing melody.
The Exposition building was yester-
day afternoon the Mecca towards which
the Norwegians of Minneapolis, and
Norwegian visitors from different parts
of the Northwest, gathered in grand
liberty festival given by the Norsemen's
Singing society, and Norwegian Turn
ing society, of Minneapolis. 1t was a
liberty festival celebrated in commem-
grafton of the freedom of the home
country, May II, and denotes a turn
ing point with the Norwegian nation,
but as the date itself will be taken up
with the unwilling ceremonies OF the
statue of Ole Bull, time was taken by
the forelock so that in festal gathering,
through song, music and oratory the
anniversary might be celebrated in a
manner fitting the occasion. The festi-
val was in every manner most merito-
rious arrangement. 1t reflects creditably
upon all concerned from the societies
participating to the artists who lent
their assistance.
Early in the afternoon the street cars
going towards the large auditorium
were filled, and by o'clock the hall
held in the neighborhood of 1000 peo-
pie.
The opening number was Johan
Svendsen's last Norwegian rhapsody
rendered by Danz's orchestra Of forty
pieces. This composition has during the
spring elected the most profound at
tention from the European music-lOv-
ing public Its rendition yesterday after
room was the first in this city, and mu-
sic lovers of Minneapolis no longer Won
der at the favorable criticisms from
across the Atlantic. 1t was a most de-
lightful revelation to the NOrwegians.
Ii showed that, although Svendsen Is
filling the position of kapelmeister in
the Russian court, he has not for
melodies. The composition is typical
Norwegian It shows that the composer
had been Influenced by the rich folk
lore with which the Ileasantry abounds.
The composition In every way received
a mer. torious rendition, under the d1rec-
ton of Prof. Frank DAM, and was fol-
lowed by the heartiest applause.
This number was followed by the rem
dition Of the grand chorus of ia vi
Elsker bette Landet, Yes, This Is the
Country We Love-"
Ragna Linnee has been heard in this
city at two previous occasions, but
never in the role she assumed at the
festival yesterday afternoon. Miss
Linnee has here only been known as
an artist possessing a voice sweet In
tone and rich in probabilities. She for
the first time yesterday essayed the
role of an actress. AS such her voice
was also used to the best advantage,
and in a manner that made her the
favorite of the occasion. Clad in natty
Norwegian peasant girl costume, she
was the ideal "Budeie'' Chalet Crib,
who has SO often been depicted in
poetry and song. The repertoire Sc
lected for the occasion was of SUCH
character that the different moods of
the maid of the mountain were faith
fully depicted Her first song was the
celebrated air of Ole Bull set to the
words of Jorgen Noes 1.-THE Chalet
Girls Sunday" The mood of the song
is the reverential, a mood that often
sways the peasantry. Her rendition
of it was without doubt the best ever
heard in this city, and demanded an
encore. AS she stepped forward to
sing lola, Ola, Min Egen Unge" she
was by John w. Arctander, on behalf
of the societies, presented with a beau
tiful bouquet Of roses. tied with red.
white and blue ribbons.
At the conclusion of her second
song, Mr.. Arctander delivered the adj
dress of welcome. Mr.. Arctander stated
that it was not his intention to enter
into any elaborate details as pertain.
ing to the 18th. Of May festival.
He only appeared as part Of time.
honored custom in Norway.
when tl1e Heople in that land sit
down to the banquet table" he said,
1.-THE host upon arriving at that part OF
the menu calling for fish. arises and
bids his guests, welcome with the
words: Welcome to the table, my
friends You have glorious ban
quet of song, music and oratory In
store for you, and all so beautiful As
chairman of the joint committee hav-
ing this affair in charge, lift my
glass and empty it in accordance with
our beautiful custom, and bid you well
come You are going away satisfied,
we'll fed and will need no more today.
On behalf Of the committee thank you
for your presence at our festival today,
and 1 am glad we have been assisted
by this beautiful May day. AS I don't
wish to give you anything to fill up OH,
I in conclusion wish to express my
sist to make this festival a successful
one. Miss Ragna Linnee we owe
much to. She has come way from
Chicago to make you all happy with
her song. Also the Swedish singers
They say the Swedes don't like U.S.
Perhaps they don't across the water
but I believe it fs all matter Of i'm
agination. On this side the sea they
have always stood ready to assist us,
and come forward and shoulder to
shoulder with US rendered their as
sistance when the occasion called for
it. I must not forget the orchestra.
They are mostly Dutchmen, you know.
They have rendered Svendsen's Nor
wegian rhapsody, and will render
Grieg's suite from Peer Gynt.' II
seems to me that the Dutchmen have
turned Norwegian They seem filed
with the same ardor as Norwegians.
and play the Norwegian compositions
as only Norwegians ought to play them
7 wish to thank the Norwegian sing
ers from all over the state. You have