The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-11-28
THE WENNERBERG CONCERT

The third annual grand concert of
the Gunnar Wennerberg memorial
chorus given at the International au-}
ditorium- last evening, was a distinct
success, unsteady, socially and inan-
cially. The occasion was recognized
by a handsome souvenir program. A
large audience was present, which
seemed thoroly to appreciate the good
things presented.
Despite the fact that the programs
presented by the chorus in the past
have been far too long, the same mis-,
take was made last evening. Fourteen
themselves into twenty-five separate:
selections, to which were added many
encores, with the result that large
numbers Of the audience left before
the concert was over. An unpardon-
able delay Of thirty minutes in COM
mencing, the program made it even
longer. The program was not SO dis
t1ncttvely Scandinavian as at former
concerts, but it contained many unin-
teresting mum bers,------- compositions
likable enough, perhaps, but possess
Ing no distinctive claims for repro
duction before a large and represen-
tative audience.
The work Of the entire chorus was
better than has been done heretofore.
The opening number showed a lazi-
ness on the part of the sopranos in
reaching the high notes, but this dis
appeared later. Director Hjalmar
Nilsson secured remarkable effects in
expression, and there was a delight
full unanimity Of attack and phrasing
in the singing of the entire chorus.
This Is the more to be commended
since all the numbers sung by the
mixed chorus, with one exception,
were written by Wennerberg, and all
partook in large measure Of the SOM
bre semichoral style of that composer.
The ladies' chorus easily carried off
the palm last evening for its admirable
singing, being obliged to repeat Sod
erman's Peasants Wedding March,"
a. charming number. The quality of
the sopranos was remarkably good and
the second altos wsre unusually eff
! fective. The male chorus did not fare
SO happily. There seemed a little in
gertrude among the singers, and the
| tanned, the tenors being noticeably
| less prominent than the bass.
Much interest had been manifested
! in the appearance of Theodor Bjork-
stem, the tenor, who was programmed
| for five appearances. Mr.. Bjorksten
1 has q pleasing and resonant pure
! lyric tenor, which is very enjoyable.
! He is good but not great, and APP
peared at his best in the Swedish
folksongs. A happy change in one
Of his numbers gave his listeners
bit Of musical fun, which he was
obliged to repeat, being recalled five
! times. AS an Introductory number he
sang a ,recitative and aria from Mas
| Senet'S ManOn LeScdult.
Miss Esther Eugenia Osborn, as the
soprano soloist, scored big sue
cess. Her piece de resistance was a
cavatina from I'll Troyatore, which
was sung with much abandon, and
/ IL - Ill OIr>,,r <~,1~
showed Miss Osborns voice to be dis
tinctly suited to that style of music.
/ While her work is by no means per-
feet, she sings with temperament, and
| the timbre and range of her voice, and
the persistent and thoro study, Of
which her. singing gives. evidence, all
indicate a bright musical future.
Mrs. Augusta Wicklund-Mattson
sang but one number, Allitsen's "a
i Song of Thanksgiving" and was
| forced to respond to an encore. Her
voice is more of a. mezzo soprano in
quality than contralto. and her up
| per notes were especially good. The
effect Of her songs was marred some
| what by a too pronounced accom-
/ paniment.
William Wrigley the new .violinist,
played two numbers: last evening.
with the same results. They were a
vieuxtemps "F'antasia" and Ma
| zourka'' by Larcyck1. p He possesses
] lovely touch which is especially
sweet and delicate in the cantilena
passages, but bravura playing is not
vet tiistinctively his forte. His tech
niaue is neither exact nor sure. with
the result that the music seems to
run away with him. + He possesses
temperament to a marked degree, and
should make his mark thOro1y
good violinist. 81
Miss. Mamie Swanberg acted as ac-
companist for the choruses, and for
Mr.. Bjorksten and Mrs. Mattson, and
played with her usual finish and de-
pendableness. j. Victor Bergquist
accompanied Mr.. Wrigley with much
4 feeling. Miss Osborn had a most ac-