The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-06-30
OPERA WINS WELL
0RAT0RI0 OF ELIJAH FILLED THE
AUDITORIUM.

Repeated Tonight Hut No Matinee to be
Given This AfternoOn-Immeos Audi
ence Out to Witness the First Sacred
Opera Even Gotten Up In This City-Bis
Delegations From the Surrounding
Towns.
The greatest musical event that W;ch-
ia has probably ever seen was held al
the Wichita Auditorium last night TO a
crowded house, and for the first time in
the history of the city an Orotorio was
presented Dy home talent in most sue
cessful manner that must be exceeding
ly gratifying 10 those who conceived
/ the idea and later pushed the project TO
such a successful conclusion.
For months the musical people Of
Wichita and it may be said the state.
nave been talking about the great
| Ora'orio and specializing upon its prob
able financial and musical success. and
Tor months rehearSals-some times three
| each day-were held TO bring about the
| event and 10 accomplish all that which
| was last evening successfully consum-
mated amid the plaudits of proud COM
munity, who always hold the utmost
| faith In everything that Wichita people
miy undertake.
It must be well born In mind that TO
successfully give an Oratorio means
| much more than anything else in the
musical line usually undertaken by
NJ in ron ci-io
il requires considerab BILE bravery to
tackle such an undertaking. Mr.. Won
Herrlich, with his wonderful business
tact and his remarkable hustling abili-
ties. is directly responsible for the
Oratorio and also it's ultimate success.
Mrs. Catherine Russell as director,
has done much in the face of all kinds
OF ODDS TO push the task TO the success
that 1t proved 10 be. Mrs. Russell is a
good musician, as is known 10 all Wich-
tia people. and she has had much sue
cess with various musical enterprises,
but this undertaking required especial
ing TO this talented woman.
The Auditorium was crowded last
evening, and although the night was
warm none suffered from the heat
Hundreds came from out Of the city.
some coming a distance Of two hundred
miles, to witness the great event The
production was finished at 10 o'clock
and the first song began at Sis.
The Oratorio Of Elijah, Men
deissohn's great work, is one of the
finest pieces of music written, and it
may be stated for the benefit of those
not up in musical matters, that it is
sacred opera. taking for It's theme or
subject portion of Elijah's great life
and mission.
Part begins with the drought and
famine in Israel The cries Of the people
for rain and bread. The raising Of the
widows son. and the overthrow OF the
Priests of Baal on Mount Carmel Fin
ally the blessing of God upon the land
in the ending of the drought and famine.
Part II-Besins with the magnificent
chorus, Hear Ye Israeli" then the con-
flict between Elijah, Ahab and the wick
ed Jezabel and the flight OF Elijah into
the wilderness. His despair under the
juniper tree and the songs of the angels.
In this part are some of the graniest
choruses ever set to music. Lift up
Thine Eyes" might Falleth Around
Ne" Finally the Oratorio ends in an
outburst of glorious vocal and instru-
mental music. portraying Elipah's as
cent TO heaven In a chariot OF fire.
The four principal characters were
represented by Miss Edna Parkhurst.
soprano; Miss Mabel Larimer. contralto:
Mr. Waldemar Won Dahlen, tenor, and
Bion B. Hull bass. Miss Parkhurst
sang the role of the widow. Miss Park
hurst is from Topeka and is a pupil Of
Mr. Won Dahlen. She possesses voice
of wonderful sweetness and range. Her
singing is especially pleasing 10 hear
AMI captivates. Her high notes are
clarion clear. mild, richly melodious
and she sings with much finish. Tie
rendition Of several OF the arias and
Rotations. which ara exceedingly DIFF
ficult. were those OF an artist. Miss
Parkhurst should receive an ovation to-
night.
Miss Mable Lariner. the Wichita con- |
tralto. whom every one Is always de-
lighted 10 hear sang the difficult con-
tralto parts with surprising ease and |
beauty. An Oratorio requires strong |
voice Of more than ordinary range and |
one that is thoroughly trained. Miss |
Larimer's solos, consisting OF some DIFF |
ficu!t recitations and arfas, were well |
sung and were received win much ap-
plause by the audience. Miss Larimer |
certainly deserves the compliments that |
she received She sings with the ease. |
grace and finish OF a professional per-
former, and there are few in the state |
who could do better.
Mr.. Waldemar Won Dahlen, the great |
tenor. is big drawing card for the |
Oratorio. and every one in the city " no !
wishes TO hear a really finished singer |
should hear this artist. Mr.. Won Dab |
len Is what Is known as a tenor robusto |
"a Wagerian tenor. He sang FOR sew |
eval seasons with Damrosch. the great |
New York opera leader. and in Ger |
many sang IN Wagner opera. The part /
% Obadiah in Elijah IS a most renarxa-
bly, difficult part 70 sing and none but |
the most finished artists can undertake /
The par. tha. NJ. Won Dahlsn sings so
successfully The people Of Wichita are
afforded CREST treat in having an op-
por:unity 20 hear this celebrated tenor
and his singing last night vas simply /
great. He takes the most difficult pas
sages with ease.
Bion z Huh sang the part ot Elijah
and with his voice % natural richness
aad sweetness did we'll This Is prob
ably Mr. HuIrs first attempt at oratorio
work. alehough he has been identified
with almost every o,g musical event
that has taken place he-e for years.
The part is a mos, difficult one. as one
could imagine the title role IN such a
era7- musical work - hA and abogIr1s