The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-04-10
CHORUS At WORK
Arduous Preparations For the
Messiah"
ONE THOUSAND VISITORS
Will Take Advantage of the
One Fare Rate.

over three hundred seats for the
Messiah Tuesday night have been en-
gagged by parties from Hutchinson, Well
ington, Winfield, FL Dorado and Newton.
Delegations have been made up from
every town of consequence within seven
ty-five miles The chorus is practicins
every night and has been for several
weeks. J. c. Martinburg, musical
critic from Galesburg. III, who was in the
city yesterday, says that the rendition OF
the oratorio in Galesburg recently IN
which Lester Jones, the tenor who viii be
here sang, is magnificent. The chorus
consists of over a hundred voices, and IS
the largest ever trained in the southwest
a one fare rate on all railroads viii bring
a thousand visitors here next Tuesday
This is the one hundred and hfty-slXth
anniversary of the first rendition OIL
Messiah"
When the oratorio was given for the
first time in London in 1743, the audience.
with the king at their head, and moved
by a common impulse, rose while the
HaIlelujah chorus was sung and stood
until its close. This tribute has been con-
tinued with more or less spontaniety but
with the utmost sense Of fitness at every
representation of the Messiah both in
England and America. And ii illustrates
the Inherent nobility OF Handets chafdc-
ter to learn that some days after this rep
RESERVATION, when the composer was cali
ing upon Lord KinnouI. with whom he
was on terms of special intimacy, his
lordship, complimentiEg the author was
calling upon the noble entertainment
which had just been given, Handel re-
Piled: My lord, l should be sorry if
only entertained the people; 1 wish to
make them better" Handlers was essen
italy religious nature. He would often
refer to the singular pleasure he had in
setting scripture words to music. and to
the profit derived from the contemplative
reading of the Psalms. His familiarity
with the Bible sufficiently warranted his
rebuke to the bishops when they sent him
selections for use in the anthems 10 be
sung at the coronation of George H.:
IL have read my Bible very well; shall
choose for myself" We are fain to be
lieve that it was true emotion and not
weakness which moved him in the act of
composition so that his servant bringing
him his chocolate in the morning, would
'often stand silent in establishment to
see his masters tears mixing with the
ink as he penned his divine compositions.
friend calling upon Handel. who was at
the time writing the music for the pa
thetic words "IIe was despised and re-
jected of men," found him absolutely sob
bling.
The oratorio is entirely in the words OF
scripture. 1t is divided into three parts.
The first part describes the promise OF
and prepare ton for the coming of Mes
siah: the greatness of his character (em-
phasized in the magnificent chorus, For
unto US a child is born'D and lowliness
of his birth; the welcome of the angels
and beauty Of his mission. the latter be-
ing brought home in two beautiful solos.
He shall feed his flock" and Come unto
him all We that labor" and a chorus.
His yoke is easy and his burden is light"
The second part opens in the depths of
Christs passion, that dire circumstance
being enforced by the solo. "He was des-
pissed and rejected Of men," in which the
very keynote of sorrow IS struck; and
later by another passage of touching SOL
Behold and see if >here be any
sorrow like unto His sorrow" This is
succeeded by the recovering note Of
Christ's resurrection. the new life of
which pulses in the chorus, Lift up your
heads. 0 We gates!" and comes to its tri-
umphsnt expression in the majestic Hal
lelujah" chorus, in the writing of which
Handel declared: 'I did think did see all
heaven before me and the great God him
self" The third part ascends with Christ
to the regions beyond. opening with a solo
Of exquisite beauty embodving the con
viction of Job. Il know that my Redeem
or lveth.' continuing with a succession
IF sentences descriptive Of the victory
over death. and closing with the massive
and jubilant chorus OF praise. blessing
ana honor and power, be unto Him tina.
'itteth upon the throne and unto the /.
Lamb forever and ever Amen"
ArbOr Day Proclamation
In view Of the genera, interest mani /
ested by the citizens OF Wichita to emu /
ate the public spirit and HberaIity Of cit /
zens in other cities in founding public (
'arks for places of recreation. and in or F..
Ter that all may have an opportunity to /
ttend and participate in the planting OF
rees and dedicaung the park. I most 4
request all business houses 70
lose from 70 O'Clock p. m, Tuesday.
april =, 1s9S. and join in She ceremonies
( the day at Riverside Park
FINLAT ROSS. Mayor.
Born, TO Mr. and Mrs. D. L. Hite. OF 2os
'ew York avenue. a 81 pound girl As an
saste~ arrival she is al right and her
1bilant papa has already sent I'm ne-