Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1907-06-19
ORATORlO A SUCCESS
THE MESSIAH" GIVEN REMARKABLE
RENDITION BY DEBORAH CHORAL UNION.
One Hundred and Ten Voices Accompanied
by Orchestra Of Thirty Pieces Sing
Beautiful 0ratorio Before De.
lighted Audiences.

Among the music lovers of DEBORAH
and vicinity yesterday will be remem-
bered for years as the day of signal
triumph in musical effort. That a
city of 4, coo people is capable of such
production as was given yesterday
afternoon and evening in the rendi-
tion of the oratorio 1.-THE Messiah"
is nothing short of remarkable.
When 1.-THE Creation" was rendered
last year by the same organization it
was thought that the height of must
cal efficiency had been reached for
Decorah but yesterdays concerts so
far eclipsed it that all comparisons
have been lost in praise of 1.-The Mes
siah'' as heard in these two concerts.
The DEBORAH Choral Unicn is a
chorus organized during the winter
and is composed this year of one
hundred and five voices. They have
been training regularly throughout
the winter and spring under the direc-
tion of Prof. Carlo A. Sperati of Luz
ther College An orchestra of thirty
pieces was also organized and drilled
by him to accompany the chorus, and
to make the thing complete four
soloists of national reputation were
engaged from Chicago to take the solo
parts.
The afternoon concert was heard by
good sized audience and the evening
concert by packed house. The beau
tiful music of the chorus and the
orchestra, as we'll as the soloists, was
"a revelation to those who heard it.
That Prof. Sperati has been able to ac-
complish such proficiency in so short
time with over a hundred mostly un-
trained singers is simply wonderful,
and everyone expressed great surprise
that such excellence was accomplished.
The large chorus followed with one
accord and with exact precision the
mo yements of his baton, and with
clear articulation and almost perfect
harmony and rythm, like the music of
a great pipe organ, accompanied by
the splendid work of the orchestra
and the beautiful singing of the
soloists, gave the story of the coming
of Christ, his sufferings, death and
exaltation in manner which lifted
the audiences TO periods of such en-
trancing delight that they responded
with round after round of yociferous
applause.
The work of the soloists from Chi
cage was especially pleasing. Mrs.
Minnie-Fish Griffin, soprano. has an
exceptionally sweet and sympathetic
voice, the quality of her tones and
clearness of articulation winning
laurels for her at each appearance.
Miss Jessie Lynde Hopkins possesses
a cultivated contralto voice of rare
quality and holds her long notes with
the ease and grace that marks the
finished musician Mr.. Holmes Cow
per has a pure, sweet tenor voice of
exceptional richness and power which
he knows how to use TO the best adj
vantage and an attractive personality
which won for him friends at each
successive appearance Mr.. Marion
Green, who is a DEBORAH boy and we'll
known here, sustained the high repu-
tation at home which he has attained
i'll oratorio work throughout the
country. He has splendid bass
voice, sings with zest and ardor, and
was listened to with much pleasure
by the friends of his boyhood days.
Miss Rosetta Olson at the piano did
her full share in making the event the
great success that it was. She is a
fine accompanist, and acquitted her
self very creditably yesterday
Prof. Sperati has labored diligently
upon the preparation of this oratorio,