Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-04-26
MUSIC AND MUSICIANS

Cuscaden Philharmonic orchestra and
quartet Of soloists was given a beautiful
rendition at the initial performance last
evening
The quartet was composed Of Mrs. Jes-
sica DeWolf. soprano, Mrs. Mabel Crav-
ford Welpton, contraltoi Mr.. Marc Lagcn,
tenor, and Mr.. Gustav HolmQuist. bass.
These artists arc too well known by their
previous good work to need any introduce
ton to Omaha. unless It be Mr.. Iagen. who
has a very sweet tenor voice which lie
somewhat married by a decided throat
mess" more apparent in his first solos
than in the last The recitation aud aria,
He that dwelleth in heaven shall laugh
them to scorn the Lord shall have them
in derision; thou shalt break them with
rod OF IRON Thou shalt dash them in
pieces like potter's vessel was splend-
idly sung. Mr.. Lagen. having overcome
marked huskiness by that time, Seemed
to get more in touch with the composers
thought. II was unfortunate that he did
not sing the well-known favorite, Com
fort Ye. My People" in the good style OF
the later work but he will likely recover
by Thursday evenings performance.
Mrs. Dewolf was heard here two sea-
sons ago at recital given by her under
the auspices Of the Concert Promoters. and
last nlRnl Singing only uetlenPu lilt ht-
llghtful impression which she made at her
first appearance. She is consummste
artist with a bird-rke voice, a fine musl-
cal temperament. and gives scholarly in
depreciation of all her lines. Her soprano
is given a great deal of work in this ora
torio and not once did she fail in all that
was demanded of her Her pianissmo
work was especially noticeable, and per-
feet radiance seemed to come from her
rendition Of the aria, Rejoice Greatly, o
Daughter of Zion" The most familiar So
prano aria, of course, was Il Know That
My Redeemer Liveth," and well, indeed,
did Mrs Dewot stand any comparison
which might have been made. II was sung
in a thoroughly convincing manner with
beautiful phrasing and fine tonal work
| throughout.
\ Never could Omaha have been prouder
! TO say Mrs. Welpton is one of us than
last night. Her work. always artistic was
especially good in this style Of music Her
tones were round. of velvety softness,
] with absolute purity. and soulful to a de-
gree. Perhaps the depth of feeling was
more marked in the air He Shall Feed
| the Flock" with the preceding recitation
| and in the second part the air. He Was
Despised and Rejected of Men" These
| songs were rendered in magnificent man
ner and were highly appreciated by the
| entire audience.
Mr.. Holmquist made his first appearance
! before an Omaha audience last spring with
the Chicago Symphony orchestra at the Au-
ditorium and It proved decided change
for the better to hear him in a room built
| with some thought as to its acoustic prop
critics. He has a deep, mellow voice like
the diapason tones of an organ. He uses
L. A.
saving enough for his climaxes Aside from
this he sings in a thoroughly musician-like
manner. The bass part calls for a ire
mendous amount of work and it was all
done in a conscientious manner that
brought him close to his listeners.
The chorus work was fine Simply fine
The amount OF work demanded to obtair
such effects is simply appalling, and from
first to last the singing was excellent. The
tenors were a little weak from lack OF
numbers and the sopranos showed the ef-
feet OF their hard work a little on their
high notes in the "Hallelujah chorus, but
not enough to mar the. enjoyment 1t was
absolutely thrilling the way the choruses
were sung, especially in the opening, AND
the Glory OF the Lord, and the time-hon
ored ''Haleujah" chorus. with everyone
in the audience on his feet in reverent at
lenIlOn, anu slue last one, worthy Int
Lamb That Was Slain-Amen."
The orchestra did excellent work anC
showed great improvement as a result Of
its continual practice, and from the over
ture to the finish played with splendiC
precision and well-balanced tone, supported
by the organ under the capable playing o
Mr.. Thickstun, and the piano, Miss De
Graf accompanying the oratoro. Mr.. Gus
caden played first violin and did fine work
Surely Mr.. Penniman deserved the ova
ton which he received at the close OF tn,
oratorio, for the success of the whole con
cert is directly traceable to his untirinl
efforts. He conducted the orchestra anC
chorus with directness and precision tina
was thoroughly admirable. This grea
work will be repeated tonight and no ont
who can possibly go should fail to hear 1t
The auditorium of the First CongregR
tional church was filled Wednesday after
noon with music lovers to hear the natl
nee musical given by the soloists OF TIN
Omaha Spring Music festival, and RICH
we'll were they paid for the coming
The program opened with d pian'
number by Miss Cornne Paulsen. VIII,
played Martuccfs Concert Etude. Thi
young woman plays with a considerable
amount OF dash, style and spirit, whicl
combined with her excellent technique al
ways gives great pleasure to her listeners
She played the piano accompaniment Il
Il very croditable manner.
: Mr.. Mare Lagen tenor with a YER
good natural voice, but somewhat spoile
I'm many tones by a decided throatinesl
gave an arioso from LeoncavellOs "Pagli
acct i'm the first part OF the program; 4
the second half he sang a group OF songs
Loves World" by Pontius Her Birth
, day" by Browne. and "A Border Ballad,
7 by Cowen, and very graciously responde
. by singing Calm as the Night"
Mr. Robert Cuscaden played VieuXtemp,
Andante Religioso. and Nodaceks per
petual Motion" in a mastery manner.
9 Mr.. Holmquist sang "She Alone Clarinet
, My Sadness" by Gounod, In the first par
and in the second a group OF three song,
8 responding 10 an inslstent encore wit
. Ashford's Dreamy Days" and later a littl
. Swedish song.
4; Mrs. Jessica De Wolf sang In splendl
/; style Elizabeths song from "Tannhauser,
=; "Dioh Theure Halle" fairly captivatin
, her audience. appearing again in the secon
, part In a group of four songs. In thi
, group her manner OF singing II Dream
; I DWelt in Marble Halls was revelation
Never has il been better sung Her sins
: ing Of Mrs. Beaeh's song. The Years a
: the Spring. was fine IL was a joy jus