The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1911-05-31
ORATORIO SOCIETY
SCORES SUCCESS
SPLENDID RENDITION OF ORA.
ToRIo REDEMPTION AT FIRST
BAPTIST CHURCH LAST NIGHT
NUMEROUS OTHER EVENTS
CAUSES SMALL AUDIENCE.

A very creditable Demonstration of
local musical talent was given last
night at the First Baptist church,
when chorus of about sixty voices.
comprising the membership of the
Fargo Moorhead Oratorio society, pro-
duced Gounod's Redemption, under the
direction OF A. j. Stephens, the So
ciety's leader and instructor In mum
oers, the audience was most discour-
| aging and illustrates one very potent
fact that 1t is unwise to schedule any,
thing of this character during COM
mencement weeks. Those who were
present were given a musical treat
which they will not soon let lapse
from their memory.
AS those who know the work of
the Redemption, the burden of the
recitative and solo work is done by
tenor and bass soloists and last night
these difficult roles were very ably
sustained by David B. Duggan. tenor.
Chicago, and Herbert Miller, bass.
chicago. Both were perfectly salts
Tying. Added to a good voice Mr..
Duggan displayed that he has com
plete control and perfect enunciation.
especially was the latter noticed in the
more delicate and impressive passages.
he, too has personality which wins
an audience from the start.
The numerous recitatives assigned
to the bass were spIendidly sustained
by Mr.. Miller, who possesses a voice
which is exceptionally resonant, SYM
pathetic in quality and last night IT
was the general comment that he dis
closed excellent taste and musical
comprehension-he was remarkably
easy in his diction.
The demands upon the women solo,
lists are not at all exacting, but what
there was to do was we'll done by
home singers, Mrs. Nita e. Stephens,
Mrs. E. r. Wright and Miss Mabel
FIaten, sopranos, and Miss Alice OIL
son, contralto.
The four sections of the chorus were
well balanced, especially the tenors
VINO were nearly all experienced ora
torio singers and gave splendid as
s1stance in the attacks of the more
striking choruses. The audience was
well pleased with the masterful rendi-
ton of the Unfold. Ye Portals Ever
lasting, the execution Of which was
well. nigh perfect. 1t was rendered
with exceptional smoothness and was
reflection of great credit upon the
chorus and upon the efficient work of
the director.
One of the great aides in the pro-
auction OF the work last night was the
masterful pipe organ work of Dwight
Simmons, who was 'ably supported by
Miss Frances Anderson and Miss
Irene Carpenter who alternately play
ed the piano Accomplishments on a
large grand.
Musically the production Of the Re-
demption was great success and Mr..
stephens and his singers are worthy
Of the warmest congratulations At
the close of the great chorus which is
the finale Of the very impressive sec
ond part, from the resurrection to the
ascension, Mr.. Stephens was presented
with massive bouquet OF roses for
which he bowed his gracious ac-
knowledgements-and the audience
appreciated the compliment as much
as the highly pleased recipient. 1t
is to be hoped that the work will be
produced again at season which is
not overlooking with engagements for
people who should and would be the
patrons.