The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1907-05-17
CLIMAX Of GREAT
Be REALIZED A
OPENING THURSDAY
A BRILLIANT.
AFFAIR
Metropolitan Opera House
Was Crowded For Grand
concert BY the Artists.
HIAWATHA'S WEDDING
FEAST PRESENTATION
In the Evening Greeted BY
Great Audience Also-Work
of Chorus Excellent.
HIAWATHA'S WEDDING
FEAST PRESENTATION

Inc nrSt annual May musical festi-
val OF the Grand Forks Oratorio So
ciety had a most suspicious opening
at the Metropolitan theatre yesterday
afternoon. Perhaps never before in
the history OF the theatre was a more
striking Grand Forks audience rep
resented than that which assembled
to listen to the artists concert given
by the soloists engaged for the festi-
val and which was to mark the open
ing of the greatest musical festival
ever given in Grand Forks. All the
elaborate preparations made by the
OratOriO management were aided to
successful climax by ideal weather,
and the expectant music lovers found
every external condition adequate for
a responsive musical mood.
Every seat in the theatre was oc-
cupied, and many considered them
selves fortunate to obtain standing
room. The singers who were to fur
nish the program were filled with the
spirit of the occasion, and the very
atmosphere seemed permeated with
music
At 2:45 the program was opened by
Mr.. Holmquist of Chicago in the eff
fective Gounod number, "She Alone
Charmeth My Sadness" 1t is no dis
paragement to the other artists to say
that before the first measure of the
song had been completed Mr.. Holm
quist was destined to be the favorite.
His singing was most suspicious
opening to genuine artists program.
The depth and warmth of his magnifi-
cent voice continued to grow in favor
with each succeeding number, and his
Interpretation of the ballads that fol-
lowed on the program left wave of
expectation that will no doubt reach
an artistic climax in his rendering of
the Messiah solos tonight.
There was a warmth of reception to
Miss Charlotte Harriet Smell, who fol-
lowed, that seemed like real home
greeting. There was slight disap>
pointment apparent when it was an
nounced that she had seen fit to sub
stitute for the two Franz songs on
the program the "Pensee d. Dutonne"
of Massenet, but when she had fin
ished all disappointments had van
ished in the genuine pleasure Of her
singing. In place of the other num-
bers on the program allotted to her
she substituted the Rossi aria "Mitri-
anne," and this. too, was sung with an
artistic elegance that left nothing to
be desired.
Mr.. H. Augustine Smith of Chicago,
who is to sing the tenor roles in the
Messiah tonight, delighted the audi
ence with a cycle of English. Scotch
and Irish ballads. His tenor is
beautiful lyric quality. devoid of man.
nerisms or illegiumate effects. He
sings right to the heart of the listener
and never fails of the desired effect.
To complete this quartette Of vocal
artists, Miss Clara Williams of Min
neapolis was selected to fill the So
prano positions. Her singing yester-
day afternoon was a tribute to the
musical judgment of the committee
that made the selection. From her
opening song. open Thy Blue Eyes"
to her last encore number. Comm
Thro the Rye" it is difficult to say
which pleased the most. Her render
ing of Solveig's song, from peer
Gynt," displayed her interpretive
ability to the best advantage. Miss
Williams singing was all that could
be desired, and, like the other artists
appearing on the program. is looked
forward to with keen anticipation in
the real program of the festival to-
night.
The opening concert was indeed an
artists program in every particular.
and there was one other participating
artists whose name did not appear on
the pragram. This was Mrs. Ruby
Redmon Stout, who performed the diff
ficult task of accompanist to all the
singers. She was the mainstay OF the
program, and every number was en-
bellished by her artistic accompany
ing.
The vast audience. as it filed out of
the theatre at the close of the con-
cert, was in a thoroughly satisfied
mood, and from every side could be
heard the comments of appreciation
and satisfaction. From all of these
indications it is safe to predict that
the Grand Forks Oratorio society is
a permanent organization. and it's
first annual musical festival will be a
financial as well as an artistic sue
cess.
The real feature of this music festi-
val lies in the work of the chorus.
While everybody waited with keen
expectancy the advent of the SYM
phony orchestra and the soloists, 1t
was from the chorus that the real
pleasure of the festival was to be de-
rived. Around the work Of these 100
of our own people was centered the
expectations of the audience. The
chorus presented very pretty picture
last night, arranged in seven rows
across the stage. All the ladies wore
white and the gentlemen were attired
in dress suits. An expectant hush
came over the splendid audience as
Director Stout took his place at the
directors stand and signalled for the
opening prelude to "Hiawatha's We'd
ding Feast" The magnificent or
chestra swelled into the beautiful
prelude, the chorus attacked the open
ing strains with vigor and fresh
ness that was inspiring. and the real
festival was on. Too much praise
cannot be given Director Stout for
the magnificent success of the first
choral attempt. Every part took care
of its own with a confidence that
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