The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1901-11-04
Swedish Societies Of Worcester
Pay Tribute to the Memory OF
Gunnar Wennerberg, States
man and Composer
MECHANICS HALL
FILLED TO THE DOORS
SoIoists and Chorus Render a
Musical Program Made Up of
Compositions by Wennerberg-
Senator Hoar and Mayor
0'ConneII Among the Guests

Swedish Americans of Worcester
united yesterday in paying splendid
tribute to the memory of Gunnar
Wennerberg. the great Swedish states
man and composer Of religious and
patriotic songs. The attendance was
estimated at 1000 and the seating ca
pacity of the hall was taxed to the ut
most The program was one of the
most elaborate undertakings of the sort
ever attempted by the Swedish socie-
ties of Worcester. Twenty-one differ
ent organizations were represented, and
the result of weeks Of preparation was
gratifying.
The musical selections were taken,
without exception, from the works Of
Wennerberg, and the speakers Of the
afternoon paid eloquent tribute to the
life and works Of the great composer.
Special guests Of the occasion Included
Hon. George F. Hoar Mayor Philip j.
O'Connell, w. Levi Bousquet, president
of the Board of Aldermen Frederick
Clee, president of the Common Council;
Rep. John c. Hagberg, A. W.Parmalee'
president, and George n. Morse, direc-
and several others.
The hall was deliberately decorated.
The national colors Of America and
Sweden formed the principal features.
The front Of the stage was draped with
black and white, surmounted by a
fringe of green about the front Of the
platform. The conductors desk and
the reading table were draped with the
| flags and there was an artistic arrange
Of md Efrinng and the
Swedish colors about the organ front.
| Banners of the various Swedish So
cieties were prominently displayed.
A framed portrait of Wennerberg oc-
| cupied a conspicuous position on the
| front of the organ pipes. The work OF
! the soloists and chorus gave evidence OF
| conscientious training. The work Of the
big chorus of $50 voices under direction
| of Hjalmar Nilsson was especially
noteworthy. The soloists were Mrs.
Lillian Hanson-Gray, Rev. Henry f.
| Whyman. Jacob Hanson OF Boston,
Charles Stromblad of Boston. Mrs. Vic
/ toria Engstrand presided at the organ.
| Rev. e. J. NyStrOm pastor Of Mulberry
| Street Church. offered prayer A me-
mortal poem was read by Mrs. Alice
Lothner and Miss Christine Nilsson was
accompanist. A principal feature OF
the concert was the singing Of America
/ by the entire audience.
| DIR. Richard Hagner Of Boston gave
| a short memorial address, dealing with
the life and works of Gunnar Wenner-
berg, which was listened to with close
attention by his aUiience. Rev MIS-
/ n. MOrten made the closing prayer
The following delegates from the
| various Swedish societies made up the
/ committee in charge: Syea Gtlle As
ISOLATION. Hjalmar Nilsson and Bruno
Anderson Singing Society Bragg, JOS
eph Jacobson and Gottfried Hanson;
Lutheran Church. Rev. p. j. Nystrom
and f. Lindstrom: First Baptist
| Church, +. w Swanstrom and r..
| Dahlstrom: Viking cycle Club, Will
liam Pearson and f. Sjoblom; Monitor
Lodge OF Good Templars. Carl Rooth
and John FredericksOn, Thomas Street
| Church. Carl j. Ekstedt and Peter
| Larson: Qulnsigamond Church choir.
! Stem Ojerholmm and Arvid Lindberg
| Swedish Charitable Society. Theodor
Osberg and 2. Carlberg; Swedish
/ Gymnastic club. Albin Kasparson and
O. S. Andholm: Harlem Street Church.
H. Lofstrom and A. P. Eekerman;