Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-12-12
PROVES A REAL
MUSICAL treat
Handel Oratorio Society OF Augustana
Makes Its First Appearance
OF Season.
THREE cANTATAS ARE SUNG
Chorus is Assisted by Mrs. TeWksbury,
Gustav Eioimquist and Garnett
Hedge, Chicago Solofsts.

The first appearance of the Handel
Oratorio society at Augustana college
last night proved a splendid success.
Not only did the chorus under the able
leadership of Mrs. Edla Lund acquit
itself with credit, but the three SOLO
lists from Chicago, who assisted the
chorus, all made a very good impress
sion. The audience. too, was large
and appreciative one, and aided the
singers greatly by its spontaneous en-
thusiasm.
Gade's Christmas Eve" was the
first cantata rendered by the chorus.
Mrs. Lucille Tewksbury was the soloist
in this number, taking the part OF the
seraph. Mrs. Lund showed that she
had the chorus under perfect control,
gradually leading it up to the climax
of the shepherds song, Praise to the
Newly Born" The movement and
fortissimo gradually increased until
this climax was reached, when the
chorus burst forth with tremendous
power. The audience was taken by
surprise and broke out in applause at
the conclusion of the movement. The
final chorus, Forget, o. Man, Thy
Sorrow" was also beautifully rem
dered.
Give Individual Numbers.
Following the first cantata, the three
soloists gave their Individual numbers
in succession Garrett Hedge. tenor,
gave series of four short lyrics. His
rendition OF Burleigh's Jean" and
Hammond's "Recompense' were es-
pecially commendable. Mr.. Hedge ex-
hibited marvellous power in sustaining
high notes, and there was not the
slightest suspicion of falsetto in his
voice. The audience was not satisfied
with only four numbers from him and
demanded an encore. Mr.. Hedge fl
nally acceded by again singing g part
of "Recompense."
Mrs. Tewksbury followed with a
series of three beautiful selections.
, MacDowelPs Deserted Schneider's
your Eyes, and Flower Rain" The
singers full, rich and melodious voice
was shown to best advantage in the
waited the audience. She was forced
to respond to an encore by rendering
a part of Flower Rain"
SoIoist Given Ovation.
Gustav Holmquist was given an ova-
tion when he stepped forward, attest
ing to his popularity among local nlu-
sic lovers. His first number, Schu-
tad
for the singers deep and powerful bass
voice, and was given with great effect.
Mr. Holmquist then rendered a Swed-
ish selection, 81 Am Young" which de-
lighted his listeners and compelled him
to respond to an encore. The singer
then broke away from all convention
alities by seating. himself at the piano
and playing his own accompaniment
to the beautiful lyric Meet Me by
Moonlight, Alone In this manner
Mr.. Holmquist showed that he possess
ed not only a strong and powerful
voice, but low and sweet as well. The
number was one of the most pleasing
of the WllC.e evening and the audience
would fain have demanded a SECOND
encore.
Then followed the second cantata
Gomod's "Messe Solennelle," from ''St
Cecilia" In this number all three
soloists participated, in solo, duet ant
trio parts The trios were especial.
fine, the three voices blending beauti
fully Some of the chorus passage
were also worthy of special mention
including. the \"Crucifxion" in tn
"'Credo" passage. The whole "Sane
tus" passage was also remarkably wei
rendered with full fortissimo. TIL
final "Agnus Der chorus was extreme
ly beautiful.
From "sIOunt- of Olives"
The final cantata was Beethoven
''Hallelujah chorus from his "Moun
of Olives This proved a fitting cl
max to the entertainment, the Who'll
cantata being sung with the flu
strength of the hundred voices in tn
chorus The grand finale, Praise th
Lord in Holy Songs of JOY, was reacl
ed with a tremendous climax.