Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1907-04-19
ORATORlO IS SUNG
The Holy City by A. r. Gaul is
Given at AuouStana by
the Handel Society
BY CHORUS OF 100 VOICES
Under Leadership of Professor Em'
Larson-Solo Parts Are Excep-
tionally Well Rendered.

In spite OF the threatening weather
a fair-sized audience greeted the Han
del Oratorio society of Augustana at
Its 26th annual concert given in the
college auditorium last evening. The
program of the occasion was the rendi-
ton of sacred cantata, The Holy
City" by A. R. Gaul.
The Holy City was sung by mix
ed chorus of one hundred voices under
the leadership of Professor Emil Lar
son of the conservatory faculty. Pro
fessor Sigfrid Laurin presided at the
piano and Miss Lille Cervin at the
pipe organ. The solists of the evening
were Gustav HolmQuist of kimball
Hall, Chicago, bass; w. B. Ross, also
of Chicago, tenor; Miss Sylvia Sieben
| of GeneseO. alto, and Mrs. Edla Lund,
soprano. In the double quartet parts,
those who assisted were Miss Edna
Hare, soprano; c. H. Nelson. tenor;
| Miss Signi Teleen, alto, and Einar Jo".
lansOn. bass.
The first part of The Holy City was
| suggested by the passage of scripture,
Here we have no continuing city,
THY kingdom come" and sets forth
the desire for a higher life, as express
ed in the words. My soul is athirst for
God" which desire is followed by other
passages expressive of the perfection
| of the higher life, such as Eye hath
not seen" The second part was sug.
INN- tlN,
heaven and a new earth, for the first
heaven and the first earth have passed
away" thus realizing the desire and
promises contained in the first part
| With the exception of two hymns, a
verse from Milton and three verses
from the TIE Deum, the words are en-
tifely scriptural.
| instrumental Introduction.
The first part, the Contemplation, be
gan with an instrumental introduction
rendered by Sigfid Laurin at the piano
and Miss Lille Cervin at the pipe or
gan. At the final climax the entire
chorus was heard softly singing, "NC
Is shadows yonder." At the close of the
| first verse of the opening chorus was
/ a tenor solo rendered by w. B. Ross
Mr.. Ross possesses a clear tenor voice
rich in quality and true in information
A selection by vocal trio was render
ed by Miss Sieben, contralto. Mrs. Lund
/ meZzO soprano. and Miss Edna Hare
soprano. 1T shall come to pass tha
at even-tide it shall be light" "They
that SOW in tears shall reap in joy,
was then rendered by the chorus, aftel
which contralto solo was rendered b.
Miss Sieben in that clear and strons
cOntralto voice for which she is wei
knows to local music lovers A mos
fitting close was made TO the first par
by the entire chorus, singing This i
the kingdom for ever.
In the second part. the Alteration
lGustav HOlmquist. the star of the ey
Iening, made his appearance. He san!
Thus saith the Lord" with remarkabl
force and in his accustomed easy ant
pleasing manner, and rendered TIL
most difficult part with perfect tech
nique and Interpretation. His voice i
one of which one never grows tired
wonderful composition.
Flowers for Mrs. Lund.
The soprano solOist of the evening
Mrs. Lund. Won the praise of her aud
ence in her rendition of "These ar
they which came out of great tribu
lation.' At its close she received a
a floral tribute an immense spray @
roses. Mrs Lund is we'll known as
soloist to local audiences.
The grand finale was reached in tn
last chorus sung by the entire choi
and the double quartet, accompanie
by both pipe organ and piano "Grea
and marvellous are Thy works, Lore
God Almighty" displayed the merit
OF the composer in the beautiful vo
ume of song which followed. 1t wa
one of the strongest choruses of tn
entire cantata. The concert as a Who'll
| was decided success and one which
deserving of much praise on the PAL