Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1906-1908, 1908-05-08

theApollo club, The Leader has called
the attention to the superiority over
the predecessor, fact that is gener
ally recognized, realizing the growth
in power and improvement of this ex-
cellent musical organization, the fame
of which is spreading and holding Wa
tertoWn before the me-light of pub
licity as a city of rare musical talent.
Again the Leader can say shat mem
bers of the Apollo club in their seven
tn concert given last evening at the
Turner opera house surpassed by far
all previous efforts and offered a
musical treat which would have been
credit in any metropolis. 1t seems
to be misfortune of the club to have
their concerts fall on date when the
elements do not help in swelling the
crowds. But despite the inclemency
of the weather last evening the con-
cert closing the fourth season was
listened to by an audience that we'll
filled the Turner hall and the ap
pre:iative listeners gave continuous
evidence of appreciation. 1t was
truly the musical event of the season
and more appreciative audience
never assembled in Watertown.
The concert was another demonstra-
tion Of the fact that Watertown has
an abundance of musical talent and
that IN the Apollo club we have a
musical organization of which the
citizens of the city have every reason
to feel proud and one that should be
encouraged. The Leader has but .,one
criticism to offer-if that can be calico
a criticism. That is that more of
the local soloists be given prominence
in the future concerts. Certainly there
is no criticism of those contributing
to the program of last evening, but
there are several in the city who
should he heard more frequently and
we further believe that we voice the
pinIon of the ma jority when saying
ha t we would like to hear and see
more of them in the solo work, thus
making the club more fully repre-
sentative of the excellent talent that
abounds in WATERFOWL.
The evenings entertainment opened
with a beautiful overture by Bach's
celebrated orchestra of Milwaukee-a
musical organization OF great worth
and reputation. 1t proved feature
of the concert that backs up the
assertion that ''nothing is too good
for the Apollo club" This splendid
organization furnished the orchestral
accompaniment for the singers. That
the special numbers was appreciated
wassswell attested in the hearty en-
cores, which were richly deserved.
The orchestra has been augmented
since its previous appearance here, a
number of extra players having been
engaged at considerably increased
expense. The old favorites of the
orchestra appeared again, including
Mr.. Willy Jaffe, violipist; Hugo
Bach, cellist, Carl Waempner, flutist.
The orchestral renditiuns were Of the
highest order and rendered IN
manner certainly artistic.
1.-THE May Queen" cantata by
William Sterndale Bennett. the
opening number by the club, was
especially fine and won generous ap-
plause. This beautiful number con-
stituted a greater portion Of the
evenings program. The work OF the
chorus of 100 voices was indeed grand
and showed great improvement
drought ne training of that efficient
conductor, Prof. Daniel Protheroe and
to whom unrestricted credit ia due for
bringing the club up to such high
point of efficiency. In this number
the soloists were given an ovation in
the way of applause Each solo WAS
greeted with generous applause that
fairly made the Turner opera house
ring. the chorus and orchestra also
coming in tor their full share. There
was certainly evidence of the appre-
citation of each effort. The appreciative
music lovers fairly went wild.
Interspersed between the two great
song events of the evening came d
selection by the orchestra, charming
number and one that struck great
favor with the audience.
What proved rare treat of the
evening was that beautiful rendition
of the chorus. soloists and orchestra
of Prof. Daniel Protheroe's sacred
cantata, ga Song of Hope" 1t is
composition of the professors. 1t
abounds in the most inspiring and
thrilling solos and duets, in which
the ability of three soluists were
shown to the best advantage. The
piece is one that ranks with some
of the best compositions which have
been published in recent years. 1t
has the ear-marks of master in
the profession and should add greater
laurels to the fame of the composer.
The effect of the combined efforts of
chorus, orchestra and soloists in this
work was truly grand. The chorus
was brought up to high degree of
proficiency and all seemed to enter into |
the spirit of the composition to re-
markable degree
TIE duets by Miss Leila Finch, So
p-aDO. and Mr.. Evan II. Roberts, |