The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-02-27
MAY Be ONE FARE
Railroads Make Reductions
for messiah"
ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY
Voices Are Training for the
Chorus.

A fare Of one and one-third has been
promised by three Of the roads entering
Wichita for the great oratorto, Messiah
which is to be given in the Auditorium
on the night of the 18th Of April It is
probable that a one-fare rate viii be Sc
cured yet from all points within one hun
dred miles Of Wichita and extending TO
al Oklahoma points.
The Messiah is to be given by the
Wichita Musical club under the direction
of Miss Jessie Clark and management Of
0. A. Boyle There viii be a chorus of
40 voices and the orchestra viii consist
OF forty pieces. The soIoists Will be Mad
ame Genevra Johnstoue Bishop of Chi
cagO, soprano; Lester w. Jones, Of Gales
burg H., tenor; Miss Mabel Larimer, Of
Wichita, contralto; H. c. McCIung, of
Wichita, basso. April y will be the 156th
anniversary Of the first production of the
Messiah
The Messiah was composed in 1741
when Handel was Sc years old. II was
written at q time when the composer was
practically in exile 10 escape the persecu-
ton OF powerful cabaI in London which
had succeeded in reducing him from af-
Guence to bankruptcy. Israel was in SINH
lar straits when the vision of the Mes
siah was given to Isaiah Tor her encour-
agement and hope. Handel, though great
~ in need himself, wrote the oratorio for
the benefit Of those who were sick and in
prison, and who had bue scant considera-
ton from a world altogether intent upon
It's own affairs. The scene Of its first pro-
ducuon was Dublin, and the date April
Y, zap. i was received with great ap-
proval and since that time the oratorio
has really no rival in public favor It is
Interesting as q bit OF fashion gossip 10
recall that in connection with this first
presentation Of the oratorio public re-
quest was made that the ladies who honor
this performance with their presence
would be pleased to come without hoops.
rs it would greatly increase the charity
by making room for more company" Gen
tlemen were also asked to come without
swords. The generous impulse of the com
poser to make this composition serve the
purposes of a helpful charity was contin-
after his death. From this source alone
the Founding Hospital Of London receiv-
ed in the period from 1913 to I7U over
$4,000
The oratorio is entirely in the words of
Scripture. It is divided into three parts.
The first part describes the promise of
and preparation for the coming Of the
Messiah; the greatness Of his character
emphasized in the magnificent chorus.
''For unto us a child is born'D and Iowli-
ness of his birth, the welcome Of the an
gels and beauty of his mission, the lat
ter being brought home in two beautiful
solos, He Shall Feed His Flock and
Come Unto Him All Ye that Labor" and
a chorus. His Yoke is Easy and His Bur
Zen is Light" The second part opens in
the depths Of Christ's passion that dire
circumstance being enforced by the solo.
He Was Despised and Rejected Of Men
In which the very keynote Of sorrow is
struck: and later by another passage Of
touching solemnity, Behold and See if
There be Any Sorrow Like Unto His Sor-
row" This is succeeded by the recovering
note of Christs resurrection. the new life
of which pulses in the chorus Lift Pp
Your Heads. O Ye Gates" and comes to
Its triumphant expression in the majestic
"Ha.eiujah" chorus. in the writing Of
which Handel declared: Il did think did
see all heaven before me and the great
God himself" The third part ascends
with Christ to the regions beyond. open
Ieg with a solo of exquisite beauty en-
bodying the conviction of Job. u know
that my Redeomer liveth." continuing
with a succession of sentences descriptive
Of the victory over death and closing
with the massive and juhjlant chorus Of
blessing and Honor.and Power, be Unto
Him that Stitch Upon the Throne. and
Unto the Lamb for Ever and for Ever
Amen"