The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1909-01-01
handel's Masterpiece Was Presented
by Monday Music Club Last
Night at Congregation
al Church.
A VERY LARGE AUDIENCE
The Production Of the Great oratorio
Was the Greatest Musical
Event in the History
of keokuk.
IBy j. R. HAYDEN I

by j. R. Hayden.l
The great musical event in the his
tory of Keokuk occurred Thursday
evening when The Messiah was pre-
sented by the Monday Music Club
chorus under the direction of Prof
William F. Bentley of Galesburg and
assisted by professional soloists and
instrumentalists. That Keokuk could
present such work as this in the
manner that Handel's masterpiece was
sung New Years eve before such a
magnificent audience as was gather
ed in the Congregational church,
places the city in unique position
musically, and emphasizes the cul-
tural elements which have always
been among the most potent factors
in Keokuk life. The achievement is
the result of the earnest and united
efforts of the members of the Monday
Music club, and to this organization
are due the thanks of all Keokuk for
very real benefit conferred on the
community.
The performance Of The Messiah
last night was in every respect an
adequate rendition of the great ora
torio. The work of the chorus, the
soloists, the orchestra, organ and
piano were in themselves well up to
the standard required for a thorough
Interpretation of the work, while I'M
der the brilliant leadership Of Prof
Bentley the component parts were
welded together to produce the won
derful effect which has made The
Messiah the standard of all oratorios.
Artistically. last nights perform
ance would rank high in any com
munity when judged by the rigid
standards by which the excellence of
any presentation of this work is al
ways estimated.
The SoIoists.
In considering the work of the in
diyidual soloists, thought must be
given to their adaptability to The Mes
siah roles, and the manner in which
their work fitted into the general pro-
duction. All of the artists appearing
last night are real Messiah timber and
the singing of each contributed in
due proportion to the effectiveness of
the oratorio.
Nell Townsend IIinchliff, the so
: prano, gave an Interpretation of this
role which was one of the finest fea-
lures of the concert. During every
moment of her singing She held the
audience in intent, at times breathless
Interest. Her wonderful voice. re
markable in range, power and flex
Utility was q beautiful instrument for
the expire ssion of the divine message
Of The Messiah, the dignity of the
being brought home to the audience
In each of her soles. IN the grea;
Solo Il Know that My Redeemel
Liveth," Mrs. Hinchliff reached the
climax of Ter work. her interpreta
tion of this song marking her as Q
great artist
The cOntralto role in The Messiah
Is the most difficult part of the en-
tire oratorio. 1t calls for intense fee!
Ing, repressed as the Man of Sorrows
often repressed his emotions. Arts
sically rendered it has an appeal tina
few other roles possess. Bess Nc
Dowell Seibert gave it this rendition
and made it part that long will bt
remembered by every one of the grea
audience that heard it, Although no
of great volume, Miss Seibert's voic,
is OF beautiful quality throughout al
extensive range Her Interpretation
of the two great contralto solos, I'll
Was Despised" and "He Shall Fee,
His Flock was thoroughly artistic
These numbers brought to many pee
pie new conception of the life of tn
Master, and had large part in secul
Ing the great effect of the oratorio "a
while
Harry G. Hammond sang the teno
role throughout in thoroughly sal
isfactory manner. His voice is re
markable for its range and brillianc
and for it's mellow beauty in the soft
er passages. The recitative and al
with which he opened the perform
ance many people thought were almos
Ideally sung. The ease withswhlch h
handled the difficult runs and tn
beauty of his diminished phrases wer
especially noticeable in this first nun
Der, but were characteristic of all hi
work. Mr.. Hammond is young arts
Who gives promise of brillian
career.
Gustaf Holmquist the basso, mad
Che hit of the evening. His was tn
work of the finished artist, and wa
received as such by the audienc,
Possessed of a magnificent bass voio
backed by years of experience and
powerful personality, he is pecu!'arl
adapted to such work as The Me-