The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-06-02

berg of Providence, Josef Hagstrom OF
Brooklyn, Gustave Holm, bass soloisi
at st. Patrick's Cathedral, New York.
The successes scored by the visitors
were equalled by the favors shown the
Worcester performers. G. F. Hanson
Mrs. Lillian Hanson-Gray, Hjalmar
Nilsson and the Bragg Singing society
shared the honors.
The doors Of Mechanics hall were
opened before O'Clock for the concert.
Nearly every one of the 1926 seats were
filled.
The members Of the executive COM
mittee served as ushers, and each wore
wide bands Of blue and old gold, the
Swedish colors over their right Shout
ders, and loosely knotted at the left
hip. The only decoration in the hall
was in front Of the organ pipes, a
large floral Tyre was hung on a light
blue field, and protected by a canopy
of white, pink and nile green bunting.
American flags flanked the decoration,
and were placed over the Swedish col
ors. A white banner bearing the
word Welcome" hung below the floral
piece and between the American flags.
The grand chorus of 300 voices was
made up Of all the visiting singing So
cieties, and occupied the terrace be-
hind the stage. An orchestra of 40
pieces was stationed on the stage, and
played the opening number, the over
ture from the opera "Frithiof and Inge-
borg" G. f. Hanson, author of the
opera, conducted the orchestra, and at
the close of the number the director
author was forced to bow his acknowl-
edgments a dozen times. Bragg Sing
Ing society, with Hjalmar Nilsson as
conductor and soloist, assisted by the
Swedish festival chorus Of 40 young la
dies. sang the Singers greeting" and
were forced to respond to an encore.
The third number was the grand cho-
rus in Hear us, Svea," conducted by
Mr.. Akerlind. Its rendition resulted
in demand for repetition that would
not be satisfied until the piece was re-
psated.
Miss Martina tombstone played
Vieuxtemps ballad and polonaise with
orchestra accompaniment In delightful
harmony. Her playing was rare treat
of the concert and her encore was as
pleasing. She was presented large
bouquet by the union.
Mrs. Lillian Hanson-Gray, who fol-
lowed shortly afterwards, scored an
other triumph. She was in particular
1y fine voice and her solo was enthusi-
astically applauded by chorus and aud
fence. She responded with an encore
and was presented bouquet. The
Harmoni Singing Society Of Boston,
with Nine. De Berg-Lofgren, directress,
sung one of the best numbers of the
evening and was forced to return for
an encore. The triumph of the evening
must be given the Svea Quintet of New
Haven. The quintet has a national re-
putation and proved worthy of 1t by its
work last night. Its first selection was
Tonerna by Lagercrantz and in re-
70 SnlpT111g n <
wedding march. Its rendition of this
piece carried the house by storm and
a demand was made for another selee-
ton which was appeased by Sally in
our alley"
The concert closed with the Star
spangled banner, by the grand chorus
under the direction of Mr.. Akerlind.
The audience stood during the singing
Of the piece.
After the festival was over, the sing
ers went to horticultural hall, where
an Informal reception and entertain
ment was given by the local Bragg So
ciety. Refreshments were served in
the banquet hall, and after eating all
possible, the white capped guests went
down stairs to the entertainment, which
consisted of an act by Charles G. Wild
den, the local tramp juggler," comic
act by Charles Sjorquist, duet by ia
cob Jacobson and Lors Lorson, solo by
Charles Hook.
Tonight a banquet will be given by
the Eastern division, A. u. S. s,
Saturday the singers will form pro-
cession and be reviewed in front OF
city hall, marching thence to Franklin
square and thence to the monument on
the common, where a chorus will be
given. Special cars Will then be taken
to the lake, where a picnic will be held
at Lincoln park, with special singing
exercises during the afternoon.
Sunday delegates from all over the
United States will be in Worcester in
attendance on the convention of the
American Union of Swedish Singers, at
which the date for the festival in New
York in 1901 will be decided upon.