The Minneapolis journal., 1903-12-26
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1.-THE M MESSIAH"

Handeps ''Messiah'' has come to be a
recognized feature of the Christmas night
festivities, and it's presentation last even
ing by the Philharmonic club and the
Minneapolis Symphony orchestra was at
tended by an enthusiastic and cosmopoli-
tan audience, drawn from all classes Of
society, and it almost completely filled the
vast International auditorium.
The performance was not at all an even
one. Some features could scarcely. have,
been improved on. while others seemed to
almost lack those elements which are
recognized as essential to success. With
but one two exceptions, the work of
the orchestra was worthy Of sincere praise.
There was q gratifying observance Of the
tempt indicated by Herr Oberhoffer, and a
ready and trained response to his indica-
tions of expression, which produced the
ri best Of results
The work Of the chorus was a puzzle to
the careful and discriminating listener 1t
would be difficult to imagine a more per-
feet choral effect than was secured in the
For Unto Us a Child Is Born The bal
ance between the parts, the freshness and
vigor of the responses, the evidence Of
careful training, and most marvellous of
all, the eXQuisitely clear and distinct enun
citation, which enabled all that vast audi
ence to hear the words sung by the 200
singers as plainly as tho spoken, were a
constant delight to the musical heart.
On the contrary, the "Clory- to Cod was
but i'll commenced. while 'TIis Yoke Is
Easy was not at all satisfactory. The
tenor sounded thin and did not sing to-
gether 1t was far outWeighted by the
fine bass section Of the organization. The
"Hallelujah'' chorus was sung in fine
tempo, but without that verve and elan
essential to the adequate presentation
of such a tremendous theme. The hun
treds who. thoughtless of the comfort Of
others and of the courtesy due the club,
started to leave the hall during the per-
formance of the final chorus. received a
merited rebuke from the conductor. The
hegira had been going on from the con-
clusion of the 'T1allelujah'' chorus. and
after enduring it thru one or two numbers.
Herr Oberhoffer stopped the music in the
midst of the chorus and faced the crowd,
which Immediately stopped, and the house
fairly rang with the applause evoked by
the scathing rebuke thus silently made. In
passing. it may be said that all the SOLO
lists except Mr.. Towne set the audience a
bad example in this respect.
The sooists proved to be we'll selected
Mrs. Jenny Osborn Hannah, soprano, has
a lovely. high. sweet lyric soprano, and
sang with much taste The final aria, 81
Know that My Redeemer Liveth.' was her
best number. but it was sadly narred by
the inconsiderate leave-takers. who
seemed to have no thought that the con
fusion, noise and dust would absolutely
spoil it's effectiveness. Mrs. Alma John.
son Porteous was not in as good voice az
usual, and with the exception Of the re.
citative and aria. 'He Shall Feed Hi:
Flock" did not do herself justice. Tha
solo, however made many amends ant
was we'll nigh perfection. f. c.. ToWne
the tenor, sang his role without the score
as is his custom and proved quite salts
factory. His voice is high resonant ant
quite dependable.
Frederick Martin, the Boston basso, is
newcomer here, and was listened to witt
much interest and pleasure. His voice i
a lyric basso, of wide range smooth an,
effective. 'Why Dc the Nations Rage?
that exceedingly difficult aria, was suns
with good style and effect, as was ais
For Behold Darkness In the latter tn
orchestration was Interpreted eXcellently
The next symphony concert which oc
ours at the International auditorium
Tuesday Jan. s. will introduce the ne1
French violin idol, Jacques Thibaud
Howard Boardman.