The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-07-23
A GREAT CONCERT
Last Nights Event Was Splendid
Success"

Last nights EVENT was SP'S"""
Success.
The ffth biennial musical festival Of the
American Union of Swedish Singers, IS
standpoint, whether social, musical, artistic
or financial The opening sexa on Tuesday
evening was a happy augury OF that success IS
and 1a er.eG lights s Concert at the exposition
auditorium set its seal upon the = results,
Everything has combined to make. the con-
eps All a Of ni be vi sn
least of the achievements attained Is the
fine exhibition of fraternal spirit There
has not been a marring note anywhere:
Long before the hour set for last even-
fng's concert, the exposition was stormedi
by crowds of singers, visitors and Minnea-
politans, literally overwhelming che small
out delay The seating capacity of the vast
auditorium was taxed to the utmost and near
the exits many were standing. Nevertheless
SO that persons could listen in comfort and
enjoy the program fully.
? The same criticism which has been given
before with regard to many of the Swedish
concerts, might we'll be repeated regarding
this, and that is the inordinate length Of
the program. Twenty numbers were pre-
scented, grouped under fourteen heads, and
doubled the program, SO thatld 1T wassyery lats
when the audience was finally released. In
deed many left before the close Of the. con-
cert "s-.>&esSss' 10y 't2ttssfS f$R
The vast hall and stage were decor ated with
yellow and blue the Swedish colors. with
Swedish and American flags and Ealms and
audience and the singers. About 300 male
voices participated in the choruses. All of
the chorus singers wore the typical black
visorod white caps during the entire even
ing. The seating arrangements for the chorus
were admirable aud assisted in producing the
best results.
Sharply on time, the program commenced
wit fhn Mo yirr 1f fhn rNrt, 10 C@I@
mans Maid of Orleans" by tie DAM Sym
phony orchestra, under the leadership OF
Frank DAM: Owing to the many late COM
ers who had TO be seated, it was difficult to
enjoy and appreciate the rendition CT this
work. Beside this, the size of the hall also
interferred, filled as it was with the rustic
of feet. BY the time the number was COM
pleted the audience was largely seated and
quite ready to enjoy the main work of the ev-
ening, the singing of the united chcrus,,,e 40
/ THE GREAT CHORUS. re e
There was rnurmur Of admiration as Di-
rector John r. Ortengren took the Eaton, AMI
the body of Singers rose FOR the opening num-
Der, and second murmur of surprise and
pleasure, when the strains Of "rhe Star
spangled Banner" arranged for male voices
ccme from hundreds of Swedish-American
throats.- But one verse was sung, and it.
was delicate compliment speaking at once
of the love for the fatherland, and the love nf
the country of the singers adoption.
Following the American national hymn
ing, the Wennerberg chorus, Hear Us
ready quite familiar. The chorus sang almost
as enc man, With beautifully balanced aud
fine quality Of tone. The precision of attack
and the graduation of expression were quite
wonderful, considering the fact that but zone
complete rehearsal had beer had under the
tat1n of Mr.. Ortergren Hear Us Sgea,' is
hymn, Which A., requires great breadth .loi
in these respects Mr.. Ortengren's interpreta.
ton of the masterpiece was beyond criticism
There might have been a little more verve
closing climax which should have stirred the
blood as the singing satisfied the mind.
The entire chorus participated in two other
concerted numbers. The first of these was
| Eirdblad's Mature and Heart, I" compost
ton Of dramatic moments and a clearly out.
lined melody weaving thruout its harmonies
chorus retaining their fine balance, and the
result was delightful rendition. The las
number on the program was the final chorus
iam1 liar, here Grisgs Land{sighting the
| sisting soloists. It was magnifcently rem
dered and made a fitting finale for the even.
ing. Mr. Forsell's voice was heard to ex
cellent advantage in this number.
SOCIETIES IN COMPETITION.
Four Of the Swedish societies rendered
Swedish Glee club of Chicago, under the lead
ership of MT. Ortengren, was easily the win
| ner. While the other societies did we'll ant
i are deserving of much credit, the fifteen <o
Twenty men singing under Mr.. Ortengren
| baton showed the best training and con
| tanned the better material. The number pre-
scented was Hedenblad's "kneeIing." Mrs
Ortengren assisted at the piano, the mum
bers presented by the other single organiza
1 tons being sung capella. The Chicag
club was only one which sang with volum
sufficient to fill the large hall, and which di
/ rot suffer from contrast with the large
i chorus.
| OF tho remaining single choruses the. frs
was presented by the Lyran of Rockford wit
Frank Shelain as director. It's number wa
| Kjerulfis Bridal Procession in Hardanger.
Coming first, the lack aof volume to fill S
| large space was more noticeable than 1atel
4 MT. Shelain is careful and painstaking, !.
i not a eorccful director, and he secured goo
i results with the material in hand. The Mir
5 neapolis "Orpheus, under the direction (
/ J.. Victor Berquist did mo- appear to as goo
advantage as usual, owing doubtless to th
i tain Ramble." This is a descriptive son
4 containing q number Of fine passages, b,
. requiring the greatest care and skill in rer
dition to be effective, or else the addition
an Accompaniment. Occasionally the clu
fatted noticeably. The last single choru
MohrinR's Farewell to the Fatherland, = WI
= quite well sung by the Norden of Chicag
led by William Dahlen. Like many 9TH
numbers on the program, this chorus partak'
4 of the national characteristics of Swedis
song, being sad and full Of wierd melodie
II The assisting artists were Nine. Hellstror
soprano, Of the Royal Opera at Stockholm
y Opera, and Miss Martina tombstone, Yiolil