The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1907-12-30
SOCIETY NEWS
Home Phone 1921 Bell Phone 2

For the first time in Richmond, Han
del's Messiah was given in it's en-
tirety Sunday evening by the choir OF
the First M. E. church, under the di-
rection of Prof. J. l.. Harris, director,
and Mrs. Louis c. King )rganist. Ev-
cry available seat was occupied long
before the sacred concert began, and
many people were turned away. 1t is
probable that the entire oratorio will
be repeated in the near future.
Handel wrote this, his masterpiece.
in twenty-three days, at the age of 30
years. 1t is an illustration Of his al
most superhuman capacity for Work,
but among all his oratorios. the Mes
siah' retains in the highest degree its
original freshness, visor and beauty,
| in that it appeals to the Hottest sentl-
ment. reflects the noblest aspirations
and most exalted devotion of mankind
and is based upon the most harmoni-
GUS, symmetrical and enduring forms
of art. The Messiah was performed
81 times during the composers life, at
one time in Westminster Abbey, with
an orchestra composed of 40 first vlo-
Inns, A. second violins, and others num-
boring in all DAP instruments, and a
choir of 267 voices. The Messiah
was first given as charity concert for
the benefit of MERGERS Hospital, Lon
don.
/ The oratorio was divided into three
parts and was presented Sunday night
as given below. The first part illus
trated the longing of the world for the
Messiah, prophesies his coming and
announces his birth. 1t opened with
an orchestral prelude Of majestic
chords. leading to a short fugue, dc.
veloped with severe simplicity, and
preparing the way for the accompanied
recitation, Comfort ye, my people,
and the tenor aria Every valley shall
be exalted" which was given by Mr.
w. H. Lawson. Then followed the
full chorus, And the glory of the Lore
shall be revealed, "-these first three
numbers in reality forming one mum
Der. The prophecy was announced il
the bass recitative Thus saith the
Lord" only to be followed by the hu
man apprehension expressed in tbs
great aria for bass. But who may
abide the Day Of His Coming" writer
in the Scilian pastoral style. Thi!
was given by Mr.. Harris. The fuguet
chorus And He shall purify Wa;
omitted. the next number being th'
prophets announcement, Behold ;
Virgin Shall Conceive" followed b!
the alto solo 20, thou that tellest goot
tidings 10 Zion" which was given D'
Mrs. Ray Longnecker. and which pre-
luded a chorus in the same tempo
Omitting the recitative and aria, TIL
People that Walked in Darkness.
there followed the most graphic fl
: gued chorus in the whole work. "Fo
: Unto Us Child is Born"-sublime il
c its announcements in full harmon
e and with the strongest choral powe
/ of the names of the Messiah. \ sig
I nificant pause after this grand burst .
S song died away. and then followed
n short but exquisite pastoral symptom.
e which with the four short recitatives
which were given by Miss Stell
: Brush. Suddenly the chorus of tn
e heavenly hosts, Glory to God" whic
d was remarkably expressive and al
forded sharp contrasts in the success
i i've clear responses to the fugue. Ate
n this number, which was given by tn
It quartet. the difficult, but brilliant ari;
{ Rejoice Greatly" was given by Mis-
e Huidah Henley. The lovely aria. II
$ shall Feed His FLOCK. vas given ID
II Mrs. Longnecker. and the beautiful il
vitation. Come Unto Him All Ye tha
1t Labor" was given by Mrs, Elmer Co
n mon.
/, The second part and the most N
Y pressive portion Of the work bega
with a majestic and solemn choru