Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1905-05-31

within two years the northwest ha,
had the pleasure and privilege Of
hearing both these famous bands OF
singers.
The rising of the curtain at the
auditorium last evening was the signal
for prolonged and cordial applique from
the vast audience, applause which
increased in volume and warmth las
the fine and varied program progressed
and the wonderful training and quality
of the students singing became more
| apparent. Individual temperament
and mutual ant sty make the chorus
| the finest we've heard in this city. 1t
was night to be long remembed in
| the annals of the Auditorium, and
while, perhaps much Of the unleashed
enthusiasm of the hearers may be as
crlbed to patriotism, most of those
present being Scandinavians, there
were many moments when the splen-
did singing of the chours lifted every
one present, respective of nationality,
to enthusiasm and caused demonstra-
tion rare indeed in this rather unre-
sponsive city, when the air was white
with waving handkerchiefs and pro-
grams, and vocal with cheers and cries
of "Brava !"
The program opened with Sellmer's
Hymn to Norway" Norge, Norge y
splendidly rendered, and progressed
through Kjerulf's lovely MONDAY
Song of Summer, "Solvirkning"
and Hesise's rollicking Testing
Song" in which the shading and verve
were beyond description, to Gronuahl S
exquisite ''Ung Magnus' (The
Binding of King Magnus). The num-
Der introduced as soloist one of the
finest baritones ever heard in Mime
apolis, Hr. Berg Hansen, whose voice
is of marvellous quality, range and
f1exibility His singing. soft and
smooth as velvet, yet without a touch
of femininity, combines in rare and
delightful balance both power and
sweetness.
Following this number Professor
! Peterson, alderman for the Eleventh
ward, appeared ON the stage bearing
! beautiful stand of American colors,
Ia silk flag surmounted by a gold
eagle. He was followed by Mayor
Jones. and the two we're greeted
warmly by chorus and audience alike
Alderman Peterson in Norwegian,
and the mayor in English, presented
the American flag to the student S
chorus at a souvenir of their visit
to Minneapolis from the city, and the
chorus responded by singing 1.-The
Star Spangled Banner" in English,
with spirit and beauty that brought
the great audience to its feet, cheering
and waving its hands.
! In the next number, Zollne's
atlantic Ocean, was demonstrated
most fully the wonderful organ tones
of the BASES and the sweet pure
qualities of the, tenors. A quaint
Norwegian folksong of Kjerulf's was
followed by humorous encore,
! Brumbasken in Bumba, =" sung as a
duet by the two soloists and accom-
panied by an inimitably funny ar
rangement for the chorus, including
the despairing wall of doleful fe-
line, which kept the house in roar
of laughter.
Then came an exquisitely soft and
rhythmic lullaby with solo by Berg,
Hansen, followed by Haarglou's fine
"Varde, /" to which the solo was sung
by Hr Relf Hammer, who possesse:
tenor voice of unusual beauty. Thi:
closed the program, but the audience
would not be satisfied and in response
to insistent demands the chorus reap
peared and sang the Norwegian hymn
which again brought the hearers t.
their feet. The evening closed Will
a prolonged demonstration of approval
and patriotic affection, the audienc,
waving it's hands to the students
and the students their long tasseleC
caps to the audience. -Minneapoli
Tribune, May i, 1905.