Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-04-28
MESSIAH PRODUCED.
An Artistic Musical Event at the
First Methodist
Church.
APPEARANCE OF HANDEL SOCIETY

Entertainment a Fine Success and We'll
| Patronized - Soloists Supported by a
| Strong and Well Trained Chorus OF
FIfty-Eight Voices-A Most Creditable
Effort Omcers of Organization.
| 1t is seldom that lovers of the
artistic in music have had presented
them an opportunity at home to wit
| ness such a magnificent production
as was given last night at the First
| Methodist church, under the auspi-
cious of the Handel Oratorio society.
1t was the society's first public
attempt at the oratorio of Han
del's masterpiece, The Messiah, "
and that it was fine sue
cess all who heard aud saw the per-
Torrance will concede. Despite the
fact that the weather could not have
been more discouraging, the audi
| forum of the church was comfort
ably filled.
The entertainment was directed by
Prof. +. f. Peterson, assisted by Stras-
ser's orchestra. The soloists were
Mrs Genevieve Clark Wilson, Chica-
Kimbal Rock Island, alto; Wallace +.
Rawson Wade, Chicago, basso. Each
was perfection in his or her part, car
rying the difficult passages along with
beautiful effect, and receiving excel
lent support from the we'll trained
chorus.
The oratorio was presented in three
parts. The closing of the second part
was an inspiring and impressive scene,
bthe audience rising and remaining
standing while the "Hallelujah"
chorus was sung.
Mrs. Wilson'S enunciation, simplic-
ity of style and pleasing repose at
once captured the admiration of the
audience. She was as generous to-
ward the society in assisting in a sue
cessful performance Of the OratoriO as
she was in her responses to the en-
cores of her listeners. Two solos,
Re ioice Greatly and Il Know My
Redeemer .Liveth'' were exquisitely
rendered by Mrs. Wilson. Mr.. Wade'S
trumphet song was especially fine.
The work of the orchestra was great
ly enjoyed, particularly the pastoral
symphony, which was of its own ar
rangement The organ selections by
Mr.. Bodfors were like wise highly APP
preciated.
Members of the Chorus.
The chorus was composed of: So
pranos, Mayre Kough-Jordan, Helen
Reimers, Mrs. Winifred ID. Keim, Mrs.
Eliza Bickel, Lille Cervin, Marie East
berg, Minnie Peterson, Amanda Peter
son, Ida johnson, Linda Nelson.
Maria Hult, Lydia Olson, Mrs. George
Blakeslee, A. Lillian Fitzpatrick,
Emelia Il. Walgren, Mrs. w. 5. Mar
quis; altos, Martha NJ. Kahl<e.
Lydia Hult, Signc Tellecn, Mrs. f. w.
Friestedt, Mrs. Paul Hamilton, Mrs.
j. A. Bexell, Miss Marie OLSON. Mrs.
X T. Anderson, Miss Vada Wilcox,
Miss Bartholomew, Sophie Hult, Alma
Hult, Emily Carlson, Anna Anderson,
Mrs. j. w. Crandall, Miss Katherine
Gest; tenors, ID. w. Brandelle. III. A.
Weld. Albin Lundvall, Leo A. Larkiu,
b. f. BoydstOn. +. Curt Koos, &. e..
Taylor, .. n. Glim, f. j. Sanders, G.
l.. Sanders, Leonard f. Telleen, +. A.
Anderson; bassos, George Ii. Sheldon,
l. a. Schillinger, Andy Sanders, G.
G.. Carlson, ALI johnson, S. +. Tel
leen, A. l.. Hallquist, G. A. Hemborg,
n. Ebb, j. III. Nicholson, A. Shelan-
der +. Tornholm, j. A. BeXell, L. L.
Anderson, j. L. Everett, Martin Olan-
der.
Deserves Great Credit.
The Handel society is truly deserv-
ing of great deal of credit for under
taking the presentation of an ora
atorio requiring SO much study and
preparation. 1t was courageous
effort toward the popularizing of ar
tistic music. The public will expect
to hear from the society again, and
will ever be ready to accord to its
undertakings the support and en-
couraGement that they deserve.
The officers of the Handel society
are: Director, Prof. +. +. Peterson;
pres dent, S f. Telleen; vice presi-
dent, b. +. Boydston; secretary, l.. f.
Telleen; treasurer. j. A. Bexell; librar-
ian. ID. w. Brandelle; music commit
tee; Prof. Peterson, Prof. A. ID. Bod
fors, Miss Katherine Gest.
Prof. Otto's Farewell.
Prof. Ernst Otto, the popular and
talented tri-city musician. is to give n
farewell concert at the Burtis opera
house at Davenport the evening of
May Q, in view of his departure with
his family for Liepsig, July 1, for a
years sOjourn. The Davenport board
Of education has given Prof. Otto a
years leave of absence from his du-
ties as instructor in the public schools
in that city and he will spend the
time abroad. On the occasion of his
farewell concert Prof. Otto will be as
sisted by Mrs. S. W. Ssarle, soprano;
Miss Grace Ames, soprano; L. q. Su-
semiehl. basso; Hugo Toll, violin; c.
Toenniges, cornet; Carl Otto, of
Chicago, clarinet.
Music at the Tower.
There is to be no lack of musical at
fractions at the Watch Tower this
summer. Albert Petersen's orchestra
is arranging for its third series of