The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1898-10-09

great Swedish poet Bishop Fegner,
who was we'll known the world over
as the peer Of the Swedish Lutheran
Church It is called "F'ridthjof and
Ingeborg," and is a work in which Mr.
Hanson has endeavored to cater to the
higher class of American and Swedish
musical society.
The opera is one Of I'VE acts and is
vastly different from the large major
ity of operate productions. 1t is on
the grand opera style, has no com
les or vulgar phrases, and is already
the delisht-of musical critics who have
looked over the proof sheets.
Mr.. Hanson has received the most
hattering letters from various sources
regarding this latest work, and the one
which pleases him most is the one re-
ceiyed from William w. Thomas, Jr.,
United States ambassador to Sweden.
When the composer first thought of
writing his opera, he invoked the aid
of the ambassador, and was very
shortly after, through the courteous at
tention Mr.. Thomas gave the mat
ter given the consent of the Swedish
ruler to dedicate the work to him. In
securing such a favor, Mr.. Hanson had
to personally ask the kings permits
sion, and his letter from the American
representative at Stockholm is a pleas
.
ment.
Mr.. Hanson's letter to the ambassa-
dor was sent from Worcester Aug. rs,
and the letter giving permission was
sent from Stockholm in less than
month. The letter follows:
United States Legation,
Stockholm, Sept. 81, 1898.
Dear Mr.. Hanson:
Your letter of Aug rs duly received,
and l have embraced the first oppor-
tunity of personally presenting the
matter to his majesty. This occurred
at the royal elk hunt on the mountain
of Halleberg, where 1 had the honor
of being one of the kings guests
l spoke fully of you and your work,
and his majesty freely gave his permits
sion that you might dedicate your new
opera to him. But you must at once,
or as soon as possible, send a copy of
'Fridthjof and Ingeborg" to Kammar-
lerre G. HI. Won Celsing, in Stockholm
Write him also courteous letter ex-
pressing your thanks and asking him
to convey the same in return for his
permission to dedicate your work to
him. and that you have sent a copy of
your opera to his majesty. Congrat-
ulating you on his majesty's favor, I
remain very sincerely,
W. w Thomas.
Mr.. Hanson intends to get out a very
valuable copy of his latest opera, and
send 1t to the king. He will have the
work in it's completeness done by hand,
and the book bound in the best NOR
Deco, properly inscribed, and estimates
the cost of all will be about $35. This
specially made work for the king will
be ready for its journey to Sweden in
about three weeks, and shortly after
that the opera will be placed on the
market. The composer has copies of his
work already in the printery, so that
unsteady inclined people can see and
criticise his latest effort before its first
production in Worcester.
From present Indications the COM
poser believes that a great success will
be scored when he has the opera pre-
scented for the first time. Already peo-
pie from several towns in the county,
and large numbers of local people have
expressed their encouragement and de-
sire to see the first production success
fully carried out, and the cast and
chorus which takes part in the enter
tainment are very enthusiastic. The
list OF artists selected by Mr. Hanson
to participate in the first presentation
of the opera, includes some of the best
known singers in the state and every
thing points to first class musical
treat, with Mr. Hanson's opera as the
masterpiece during the winter.
Those who make up the cast, as 1t
will be presented, are "F'ridthjof,"
John Lloyd, the well known Boston
tenor; 'Ingeborg," Mrs. Lillian Hanson
Bray, soprano; 'Bjohn," Hjalmar Mil
SON. baritone; sThe bard" G. Albert
Gray baritone; King Ring" James
Gilbert, bass; "Ole," his servant, Chas.
Hitchcock, bass; "Gerda," an attend
ant, Mrs Harris e. Knapp, alto; "a
priest" Harry Cobb, bass; "A warrior
and herald, DR.. Charles H. Davis,
tenor.
The chorus is made up as follows:
Sopranos. Miss Emma Guerin, Miss
Miss Alice NJ Warfeld Miss Edith w.
Davis, Miss Mabel M. Pressey, Miss
Cora Presley, Mrs ID. r. Rugg Miss
Florence McMann, Miss Gertrude Ken
ney, Miss e. Enberg. Miss Bertha Ar