The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-05-17
GREAT SUCCESS.
Immense Audience to Hear
The Redemption"
Given at Auditorium by Topeka
Choral Society.
BEST CHORUS HEARD
Is the General Verdict of
Musical Public.
Solo Parts Well Taken-PrOf.
PeRny's Triumph.

society of 1.-THE Redemption" a sacred
triology by Chas Gounod. the French
composer, at the Auditorium last even
ing was a financial as well as an ar
tisttc success. Only once before in the
history of the Auditorium has the
crowd, at paid entertainment,
equalIed this one in point of numbers
That was on the occasion of the visit to
this city of the United States Marine
band.
The doors were opened at o'clock,
and the people began to stream in soon
after There was a continual inpour
until the time for the opening chorus,
when the large assembly hall was prac-
tically filed Never was a gathering
more prompt
Exactly at o'clock Prof. George B.
Penny, Of the state university, stepped
to the raised platform before the chorus
and raised the conductors baton A
hush fell over the house and as the first
notes of the prelude We're struck the
house was quiet and eager for the be
ginning. The music was low and dis
tant. and as it rose and burst IN
volume of melody M Edwin edwards
stepped to the front and began the pro-
logue, %. Lord. when thou didst rest
Mr.. Edwards is possessed of a strong
tenor, and sang the leading male part
He was popular with the audience
heard on every side. Those who We're
in Topeka at the opening of the Audi
forum and heard the oratorio EIlJan
could not refrain from comparing the
two events. The judgment was unani-
mously in favor of the latter The
training for the former was the best
that could be given at the time. but 1t
was the first event OF the kind at
tempted in Topeka in recent years. and
naturally many obstacles had e to be
overcome. The promoters OF the
Choral society prohted by the previous
experience and last night gave a per-
Torrance remarka Bile for sustained eX-
cellence, showing most careful train
ing and practice.
The credit is due Prof. Penny. dean
of the school of fine arts of the state
university for the mastery manner IN
which he had drilled the soloists and the
chorus for the production The presen-
tatiOn indeed exceeded the expectations
of all. The experience has taught the
musical people of Topeka that such
events at popular prices are bound to
be well received The success assures
similar musical events that viii be an
ticipated with pleasure and profit. To-
peka has talent and ability The Re
demptiOn'' has been q. demonstrati ton.
One who was in Kansas City Wednes-
day night and who attended the May
festival in Convention hall, where
chorus of about 1000 voices entertained
the people. was heard to remark that
the Topeka production in many respects
was more gratifying.
Perhaps the reason for this was that
the chorus was smaller. about $50
voices, and under perfect control by
Mr. Penny. The chorus sang in excep-
tional unison and harmony and with a
result rarely secured except by profess
sionals.
The audience was an appreciative
one, notwithstanding the fact that 1t
did not warm up and break out with
prolonged rounds of applause except
features of the evening were the
smoothness of the programme and the
absence of interruptions. Few left the
hall at any time. Practically all re-
NAMED in their seats until the closing
Of the finale, which was the best chorus
Of the evening
Miss Lumina Riddle, a teacher of
botany at WaShburn college, and who
was not known as a singer by perhaps
nine tenths of the audience, charm ed
her hearers, who persisted in applause
till an encore was granted Miss Riddle
is a soprano, and it is said has given
little training to her voice. which was
peculiarly sweet and clear. at times
sounding like a bell above the chorus.
She sings the high register with east
and a great degree of excellence she
gave a surprise and a treat.
Mrs. A M. Warner, one of the So
pranos, gave especial pleasure to her
audience in the solo While my Watch
I am Keeping" which was sung with
before We're again delighted
Mrs. John Kleinhans, in taking one of
the leading solos, sang with great credit
to herself. She sustained her qualities
as a favorite singer. and her sweet
voice brought her warm applause
The quartette of Mrs. Frank Thomas,
Mrs Frank Foster, A G. Coldngwood
and z. S Crane was well received; the
numbers in Part III were especially
we'll sung. The trio of the Misses
Lima, Mary and Lucia Wyatt was an
other noticeable feature
The solo by Miss Lucia wyatt, sung
from the ante-room near the stage,
was unique part which pleased an
audience already familiar with Miss
Wyatt's vocal successes on former pro-
grammes-
In the recitative part Mr. Burg E.
Zeis. baritone. shared the honors with
Mr. Edwin Edwards This was very
exacting portion Of the programme,
and was effectively handled by these
gentlemen from the beginning to the
end.
In Mr. David Bowie, who sang the
part of Jesus the audience was per-
mitted to hear a rich baritone whose
merits are not unknown to Topeka au-
dienceS-
Mr. James Lacey, who was cast as the
penitent thief, has a strong tenor and
has figured prominently in other enter
tainments. His enunciation was espe-
cially good
Those who have heard Miss Jessie
Upton on numerous occasions say that
her soprano voice was never heard to
better advantage than on last evening.
The musical score of THE Redemp-
ton is especially charming. Mr.. W.
F. Roehr was at the organ, an i'm
proved pneumatic instrument fur
nished especially for this occasion It
helped wonderfully in filing out the
chorus work. Mr. Roehr's skill had
good opportunity to display itself The
organ was not expected to give the nee
essary volume in so large a room. the
particular instrument being available
for this purpose, and was used in the
absence OF a much larger one which it
is expected will occupy a prominent
place in the Auditorium, the fund for