The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1910-02-01
HOLMQUIST SCORES
Big HIT in FARGO
FAMOUS sAsso DELIGHTS LARGE
AUDIENCE MONDAY NIGHT AT
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH IN AN
EXCELLENT PRoeRAMME-THE
SWEDISH SONG THRILL.

It Is no wonder Gustaf Holmquist, a
prince among singers, is in such great
demand, besides being possessed of a
fine voice. which he knows so well how
e Ire, he has a personality so charm
ing that altogether it is one of the
greatest treats to sit and listen to mis-
interpretations of great song writer's.
Mr.. Holmquist gave song recital
last night at the First Baptist church.
and for this occasion was brought here
under the auspices of the Dakota
conservatory. The church was filed
with an audience which was etthusi-
astic and responsive. Two or three
times the great singer was recalled.
and displayed the personification of
graciousness In his responses.
1t was generally conceded by the
singers most ardent admirers that he
has greatly improved in voice and ex-
ecution since mis- appearance in Fargo
two years ago--that is saying great
deal. The programme was in four
groups, the first and last English com
positions, and they were interspersed
with group of songs in the German
and one in Swedish. The compositions
were selected with fine discrimination.
they were examples Of different epochs
of musical development, and In their
presentment Mr.. Holmquist displayed
complete command of the resources
of an artist, and knows how to use
them. In every number his diction is
perfect and his enunciation excep-
tionally clear and distinct. He chose
a Mozart composition for the first
number, Within These Sacred DWELL
ings, and with it captured the audi
ence, which was his on through the
entire programme. He followed with.
o Ruddier Than the Cherry, by Han
del, and in that he was charming.
many said the song had never been
sung so we'll in Fargo before. He sub
stituted a Haydn composition In the
first group with one by Verdi, the
Cecelian Vesper, which was we'll re-
ceived. He also changed another num-
Der in the middle OF the programme.
and in its place he sang the Evening
Star, from Tannhauser, which was
gratifying to a degree, and the audi
ence instantly responded with an in
sistent burst of applause.
Naturally an audience, made up very
largely of the natives of Sweden, was
ali alert and exceeding anticipatory for
the Swedish songs, which comprised
the third part of the programme, the
rustic of enthuiasm and the quality
Of the applause fully disclosed the ma
tional spirit and feelings of patriotism.
especially was this feeling shown after
the spirited rendition Of Soderman's
Langtan. The programme closed with
group Of dainties in English, by
Ware, Ashley, Grant Schaeffer and
Damrosch, the latter represented by
that prime favorite with all audiences.
Danny Deever. 1t has been said that
10 one can sing that song SO well as
the eminent Bishpam, but IL that is
so, Mr.. Holmquist comes very close
second. -G..,
About the middle Of the programme
Miss Aslaug Olson of the faculty of
the Dakota conservatory, gave a piano
solo, Leibstram, by Listz, the lady
playing it faultlessly and so attractive |
to the audience that an encore was |
demanded ad very graciously respond |
ed to with the dainty, Novelette, in E. |
by Schumann, Miss Hubpurd played |
tine piano accomplishments with musi- |
cal feeling and sympathetic support.