The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1907-05-18

The first annual May Music festival
has come and gone. 1t came in timid
expectancy, and it has gone in a blaze
of artistic glory. Everything connect
ed with the event has been a success
beyond the fondest hopes of the direc-
tors of the society. Never in the
history of Grand Forks has there
been such series OF successful must
cal events. We had the artists con-
cert, the great Minneapolis SYM
phony orchestra. but the climax of the
festival was reached last night in the
rendering of the Messiah, with the
soloists. the orchestra and the fine
chorus of l20 voices.
Promptly at Sis O'Clock Director
Geo. A. Stout took his place at the
conductors stand. Every seat and
every permissible space of standing
room was occupied by an eager and
eXpectant audience. The orchestra
began the sympathetic overture to the
oratorio and an intense hush came
over the great assemblage. The clear
tones OF Mr.. Smiths beautiful tenor
nose above the strains of the orches-
ira in the opening solo, Comfort Ye
My People, and it was apparent that
every one present felt that they were
in the presence of the most thrilling
musical atmosphere ever created in
this city. Mr.. Smith was in superb
voice, and he sang all the difficult tenor
solos OF the oratorio with a synipa-
thetic and artistic finish seldom heard
in this locality. His rendering of
the opening recitative created the true
religious atmosphere so necessary to
an effective production of the Mes
siah.
Miss Charlotte Harriet Smell, who
sang the contralto solos, was most
effective in her work. The real warmth
and beauty of her voice was apparent
in the air He Shall Feed His Flock
This was one of the most impressive
numbers of the evening, and will be
long remembered by those who heard
it.
Miss Clara Williams. of Mime
apolis, to whom had been assigned
the soprano solos, was no stranger to
large part of the audience, al
though she was making her first ap-
pearance before Grand Forks gath
er1ng. Her fame as a soprano had
preceded her, and much was expected
of her. To say that no one was dis
appointed in the high standard they
had set for her is but half an en-
preston of appreciation. They were
charmed and delighted with her sing
ing. and the musical verdict is one of
unanimous approval. Miss Williams
demonstrated familiarity with the
oratorio that was at once re-assuriny,
and every phrase of the difficult So
prano solos was rendered with a
musical fidelity that was deeply inn
pressive. Il Know That My Re-
deemer Liveth," conceded by musical
critics to be the greatest of all sacred
solos, will live in the hearts and
memories of last nights audience, and
with it will live also the name of Miss
Clara Williams. 1t was beautifully
and expressively done.
Without question the greatest male
singer that has ever delighted local
audience is Gustaf Holmquist, of Chi
cago, who sang the great bass recita-
tives and arias at last nights produc-
ton. Nothing like it has ever been
heard here. and but few in the audi
ence had conception of the rare
treat that was in store for them. Mr..
Holmquist stands in a class all by
himself as an interpreter of the WON
derful solos of the Messiah. It seemed