The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1899-12-07
The Rose Maiden.

The skowhegsn Choral Society Give
Grand Concert to "a Full House of De-
lighted People.
The largest audience that has attended
any musical entertainment in Skowhe-
gan for years, greeted the Skowhegan
Choral Society in Coburn Hall, Friday
evening last, to listen to the rendering
of the "Rose Maiden by that organi-
cation, assisted by soloists, under the
dictatorship of Mr.. Llewellyn B. Cain
of Watervile.
The audience WAS materially increased
by music loving people from Norridge-
wock, Madison, Anson and North Arson
who came by electric cars, the service
on both roads being increased and
timed for their accommodation.
The full personnel of the concert
follows: Soloists, Mrs. Agnes Stafford
Steward, soprano; Mrs. Janet Danforth
Judkins, contralto; w. C. Philbrook,
tenor; Llewellyn B. Cain, baritone :;
instrumental, j. Abbott Kendall, violin :;
Miss Ethel Whittier, piano; Rose
mdlueus, PtlsScS hOWes, maQuOCk,
Bussey and Merrill.
Daniel Lewis, Mrs. X B. Sheppard,
Wildes, Mrs. j. II. Williams, Mrs. Lura
Barnard, Misses Louise H. Cass, Fannie
A. Emerson, Ethel l.. Clough, Myrtle
A. Randall, Alice q. Mildes, Elsie Wal
ton, Gertrude Webb, Lizzie Lampher,
Maude V. Ware, Elizabeth A. Webb,
Katie Donigan, Mary f. Barnard,
Frances Lord.
Altos Mrs. j. N. Merrill, Mrs.
Ella A. Jordon, Mrs. Augusta Clougb,
Mrs. C. d. Miller, Mrs. Ella Benson,
Misses Julia FoIsome, Myrtle G. Mills,
Fannie 5. Stevens. Edith w. Lewis,
Miriam s. Merrill, Nellie Morrlsette,
Maude E. French, Mary c. Murphy
Josephine w. Smith, Berle Walton,
jeanette Lord.
Tenors :-Messrs. j. N. Merrill, W. F.
Robbins. E. E. Sturtevant, W. II.
Langley, d. Ii. Bartlett, f. 4. Harris,
F. J. Sanford, B. F. Gaylord.
Bassos :-Messrs. Ralph Ames, j. n.
Smith, Guy Pennell, Dwight F. Smith
Fred c. Nye, Earle W. Smith, r. F.
Parker, Carl Smith, f. G. Nye.
The work of the chorus was admra.
Bile, and when the brief time the mem
beers have had for exercise and practice
Is taken into account, it was remarkable
for volume, melody, and the creditable
rendering of difficult passages This
indicates hard work by the members
and high executive ability of Mr.. Cain
as a director.
The managers were fortunate in solo
lists. Mrs. Steward has never been
heard to better advantage by Skowhe.
gan audience. Her part was a full one
requiring frequent and exaeting varia
tions which tested the range of her
voice. Her many admirers were gratifed
at the purity and brilaney of her tones
throughout, in these extensive modula
tions. Mrs. Judkins' contralto part
came in comparatively few passages, but
the number was sufficient to bring out
the rich, full tones of her flexible voice
to advantage and the delight of her
voice. He always sings we'll and has
eager hearers in our town. Mr.. Cain as
soloist, was equally effective as in the
role of director. His powerful baritone
was heard with much pleasure.
Not little of the facility of the even.
iDg's performance was due to the artistic
manner in which the instrumental parts
were sustained. Mr.. kendalPs violin
can always be relied upon, and Miss
Whittier performed the arduous and ex-
acting duties of accompanst with super
ior technique and excellent taste.
Without any disposition to institute
comparisons, the soprano and tenor duet,
~ know a rosebud shining" was easily
the most musical number of the program
and its rendering was the most taking
with the audience, calling forth unstint-
ed applause.
Were we inclined to criticize it would
be the imperfect articulation of the
words by the chorus, and this, we appre-
bend, was largely owing to the bad
acoustics of the stage upon which the
singers were massed. We are led to
remark that the Skow hogan Choral Is by
no means alone in this, which appears to
US to be q serious defect. Melody and
harmony and volume of course are i'm
portant in a concert, the elements of the
greatest Importance it may be, but the
pronouncng of words strikes the average
lstner as an Incidental entitled TO reason
able consideration and honest effort.