Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-05-23
! ESTIV AL CLOSES
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LARGE AUDIENCE HEARS THE
RENDITION OF HAypN's
q. oRAToRIA"ThE CREATION"
Given At Grand Opera House Last
Evening by ottumwa Choral Society
Assisted by Noted soIoists and CHI
caso Symphony Orchestra.

From Saturdays Daily.
The closing concert of the second
annual May musical festival under the
auspices of the Ottumwa Choral soci-
ETY. at the Grand opera house last ev-
ening was heard with the keenest de-
light by an audience that taxed the
capacity of, the house and testified it's
appreciation of the splendid rendition
of the musical masterpiece, Haydn's
Creation" by frequent bursts of
hearty applause. The well trained
chorus Of 1875 voices under the direc-
ton of James .Swirles, Hugo Ok, vio-
linist, and the Chicago Symphony or
chestra of fifty pieces under the direc-
ton of Adolph Rosenbecker, and the
soloists, Mrs. Genevieve Clark Wilson,
Edward G. Towne and Arthur Beres-
ford, all contributed in making the last
Of the series of concerts ono of the
most successful and enjoyable must
cal events ever held in Ottumwa
The audience, one of the largest
which, has ever assembled at the Grand
opera house upon any occasion. was
representative of the best citizens of
Ottumwa and many of the leading
business and professional men, accom-
panied by their families, were in at
tendance, and there was also large
representation of young people. While
not too critical, they had come to hear
music of a high standard interpreted
in most creditable manner, and that
they were more than pleased with the
entertainment was evinced by their
applause, which was given in man
ner that proved it to be not merely
perfunctory, but resulting from genu-
inc appreciation and admiration of the
work of the singers and musicians.
The Program.
The opening number of the program
was an overture by the Chicago Sym
phony orchestra, "Leonore No. 80 by
Beethoven This difficult and beauti-
full selection was given by the fifty mu-
sicians under the direction of Mr. Ro-
senbecker with a skill and expression
that won hearty and prolonged ap-
plause from the large audience. The
orchestra was heard again to advan-
tage in the rendition of the "Scandi-
navian Symphony" by Dvorak. The
musical organization is one of the best
of the kind in America and will always
meet with cordial reception in Of
tumWa.
Mrs Genevieve Clark Wilson, the tai
ented soprano, who made so many
friends in Ottumwa on the occasion of
her first, appearance, in this city at
the musical festival one year ago, rem
dered the ARIA from Carmen" by
Bizet in manner that proved her an
artist of rare ability and elected en-
thusiastic applause.
1.-THE Creation"
The second part of the program
consisted of the rendition of the ora
torio, t'The Creation" musical mas
terpiece by Haydn telling the story of
the creation Of the world. in beautiful
solos, duets, trios and grand choruses
The Qttumwa Choral society was as
sisted in the oratorio by the soloists.
Mrs Wilson, Mr.. Towne and Mr.. Beres-
ford and the full orchestra.
The work of the Ottumwa Choral
society in the grand choruses was es-
pecially creditable, showing the re-
suits of the careful training and study
Of the past few months directed by Mr..
Swirles The soloists were more
than equal to the exactions of their
respective parts and the full orches-
trail accompaniment added much to the
beauty. effectiveness and complete.
ness of the rendition Of the oratorio.
H. The soIoists.
Mr. Beresford possesses a bass
voice of unusual power and sweetness
and interpreted the part of Raphael
in a mastery manner. Mrs. Wilson
has been styled; the queen of oratorio
sopranos, and her singing is of the
highest order Mr. Towne, the tenor
gave splendid rendition of the part
Of Uriel Although the length of the
program permitted of no encores, the
artists were several times compelled
to bow their acknowledge to the
audience by the hearty applause, as
was Mr. Swirles, the director of the
Choral society.
The enthusiasm of the audience rose
to the highest pitch during the rendi
!. ton of the magnificent chorus 3"The
IN Heavens Are Telling" and at the close
i the spontaniety and great volume Of
the applause was abundant testimony
of the splendid success of the second
y annual May Musical Festival.
Success Financially.
The success of the festival is espe
cially gratifying to Mr. Swirles the di
rector and the members of the OF
tumwa Choral society who have helC
numerous rehearsals and used every
effort to this end, not in the hope OF
expectation of making any money, bu
\ simply for their own musical advance
\ ment and to furnish Ottumwa with {
higher class of music. The Choral so
ciety in the opinion of many of the
K best musicians Of the city deserves ;
place in the front rank of similar so
cieties in the country, by reason of it
performance last evening.
Mr.. Swirles is also pleased with tn,
success of the festival financially, al
no guarantee was asked from the citi
zens this year to assure the making o
\ expenses for the bringing of the note,
soloists and orchestra to the city. TIL
society depended upon the apprecia
Jon of good music on the part of tn
iaitizens to support the effort to max
Ne musical festival success and tn
Il. u -.