The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1898-04-22
AN ORATORIO GIVEN.
An owosso Chorus Sang "The Prodigal
Son" Before a Large Audience.

An Owosso Chorus Sang "The Prodigal
Son" Before Large Audience.
The Congregational church began to fill
rapidly Sunday afternoon some time before
the hour announced for the beginning of
the oratorio, The Prodigal Son, and when
the service was finally begun, at five o'clock,
every seat was filed and nearly every foot
| OF standing room as we'll. An idea of the
general character of the work and its sig
nificance as well may perhaps be gained
from the following sketch:
After the short introduction came the
first chorus number, carrying with 1t the
key to the theme of the whole oratorio In
the words, "There is joy in the presence of
the angels of God over one sinner that re-
penteth. They shall hunger no more,
neither thirst, and Cod shall wipe away
all tears"
The tenor solo which followed this num-
Der then began the details of the story,
telling of the younger son and giving his
demand for his share of his fathers goods
This part was sung very effectively by II.
Augustine Smith, of Chicago
The thread of the story was carried on IN
the next number, recitative and aria in
the form Of bass solo, sung by Francis
Campbell, of Grand Rapids. The words
are supposed to be the fathers plea, my
scn attend unto my Words" and Honor
the Lord and trust in him." The part
which is quite an effective one, was made
doubly 80 by the full, almost perfect voice
of Mr.. Campbell, who has impressed Owos-
so singers as being one of the best, IL not the
very best baritone singer, who has ever ap-
peared before an Owosso audience.
The next number, rscitative, quite diff
ficult to render In manner satisfactory to
both singer and listener, was most admira-
bly, sung by Mrs. r. K. Travis. The
story was continued, "And the younger
son gathered all together, and took his
journey into far country, and there wasted
his substance in riotous living"
Then tenor solo with chorus accompa-
niment repeated the theme, "Let us eat and
drink for tomorrow we die" in so vivid a
way as to clearly indicate what revelry it
was supposed to represent. The part was
difficult but, well carried out and perfectly
adapted to the purpose, 1t marked the high
est point in the rlotous life of the prodigai.
The recitative sung by Mrs. f. H. Gould
and the response by the chorus mark the
change In the theme. 1t is now "WOe unto
them that rise up early in the morning that
they may follow strong drink"
Then, as though the change were too
abrupt came the song with its plea, "Loye
not the world nor the things that are in the
world, for the world passeth away, but he
that doeth the will of God abideth forever"
This contralto solo sung with full apprecia-
ton for its sentiment and feeling by Miss
Evora Robbins was in marked contrast to
the more tempestuous scenes Immediately
preceding it, and marked still more clearly
the change in the general theme.
The story of the famine and want, briefly
sketched in recitative, and an aria, 20
that thou hadst hearkened," urging the
wanderer to "Turn and not die." were sung
by Miss Fannie Jones and Mrs. Eta Hill
Gould.
The remainder of the story was told in
choruses, duets, quartets, and solos, which
told of the return of the prodigal, and his
forgiveness. In these remaining numbers
the work of both Mr.. Smith and Mr.. Camp.
bell was exceptionally fine. After the
quartet, "The Lord is nigh unto them,"
was sung by the Mesdames Travis and F.
II. Gould, and the Messrs. Smith and
Campbell, the concluding chorus complet-
ing the picture of harmony was sung, the
theme being, "Thou, o Lord, art our
Father"
The work throughout was almost without
exception of the highest class, and should
be source of true satisfaction to the par
tcipants, both soloists and members of the
chorus. Great credit is due the conductor,
Mr.. Ferry, who has added one more to the
long list Of enjoyable musical events for
which Owosso is indebted to him. Especial
credit is due also to Miss Duff who showed
a true artists appreciation of the posslbili-
ties Of the oratOrio In the rendition of the
which was written entirely
for the piano, but which in places she very
effectively arranged for the pipe organ.