The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-04-13
NOTHING BUT PRAISE
Spoken of the 0ratorio THE
Messiah"
THREE THOUSAND PEOPLE
Attend the First Rendition in
Wichita.

Wichita.
It has finally been demonstrated be-
you'd any question that the effete and
esfhetic east after all has no monopoly
of culture, high ideals and the fine arts.
Not alone has the uncouth and mediocre
west been successful in raising corn and
engineering real estate booms, but as
well in the realm of the grand art OF
finished music have talents and rare
ability been demonstrated. The master
piece of the master musical mind OF the
eighteenth century has been successful
" rendered by a selected class OF anna
tours in Wichita and has made for the
state and the city q triumph and
proud achievement. Under the auspices
Of the Wichita Musical club, and under
the able and painstaking training OF
Miss Jessie Clark, the sublime and in
spiring oratorio of 1.-The Messiah was
last evening rendered before the largest
gathering ever assembled in the Audi
forum, Sousa's band alone excepted.
Too much credit could not be given TO
the zeal faithful application and patient
labor given by the members of the cho-
rus class to the stupendous undertaking
in hand, and the more than satisfactory
results.
Grouped on the stage last evening was
-
which seemed to speak as one soul, in
spired as from a source on high. One
hundred and thirty-three voices formed
the grand chorus made up of fifty So
pranos, thirty-three ContTaltOs, twenty
two tenors and twenty-eight bassos. 1t
was by far the most successful and fin
ished musical event in Wichita, trans
cending anything outside the strictly
professional troops which have visited
here
Promptly az S:15 the company assum-
ed their positions on the stage. w. E.
Stanley came forward and announced to
the vast auderxe that owing to critical
indisposition at the last moment, Mrs.
Genevra tombstone Bishop was unable TO
be present, but he would congra tulate
the audience in the good fortune to Sc
cure in her stead Miss Helen Buckley
of Chicago, who has won wide atten-
ton and enthusiastic comment in Eu-
rope and America. Mr. Stanley also in
behalf of the Musical club warmly thank
ed the visiting attendance for their
hearty support and loyal sympathy in
this production, all of which he gra-
ciously styled a real neighborly act'
The surrounding towns for hundreds Of
miles in Kansas and Oklahoma were
much in evidence, as the railroads had
early realized the importance Of the af-
fair and had given half-fare rates and
furnished special trains. Over 1000 peo-
pie were in the building, and probably
half Of them were out of town guests.
The beautiful and majestic Messiah
is divided into three parts. each part
having the music arranged for especial
and varying effect. It opens in part
first with a recitative from the 9Th
chapter of the poem of Isaiah. Comfort
We. comfort We, my people. saith your
God recalling to mind the lofty spirit
of the prophet poet which inspired him
10 look down the unborn ages and draw
ing aside the veil of futurity encourage
and comfort his distressed people by a
promise of the long awaited Messiah.
so dear and so cherished by the Israel
ttish heart.
The large chorus consisting of one nun
dred and twenty lusty voices were seated
on the stage, the seats having been ar
ranged in the form of an ampfthea ire.
The chorus was pretty equally divided
but the strongest part of the chorus were
the tenors and basses The sopranos
were seated 10 the left, the altos 10 the
right and the tenors and BASES occu-
pied seats in the center of the stage. The
young ladies were all prettily attired in
evening dresses, which made a beautiful
effect In the center of the stage was the
conductors stand and Immediately on
each side were seated the soloists. and in
the rear of these the orchestra were seat
ed. ahaw's well known orchestra, which
had been augmented for the occasion.
comprised twenty musicians.
The orchestra began playing the intro
duction at $50. Never before has the
orchestra played better than last even
ing when rendering the difficult passages
from Handlers great work. and applause
greeted the musicians as they finished
The opening recitative was sung by Mr.
Jones in excellent style. after which the
chorus burst forth with the And the
Glory of the Lord Shall be Revealed"
The chorus work was an agreeable sur
prise to the audience. Ii must be remem-
bered that the entire oratorio was. with