The Kennewick courier. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1905-1914, 1912-04-19
Fine" IS VERDICT ON ROSE MAIDEN"
Choral Society Sings Cantata to Record Audi
ence-Soloists Charm Society Nets
Handsome Profit

Not one among the audience of
five hundred who gathered in the
Commercial Hall, Wednesday eve
ening, to hear Frederick H. Cowen' g
cantata. The Rose Maiden," sung
by the Kennehick Choral Society,
has anything but words of hearty
commentator to offer all who aided
in its production.
Every seat in the house had been
reserved and, with the exception of
a very few, all had been sold hours
previous to the opening of the doors.
The few remaining seats were soon
disposed of after the doors were
opened. so there was nothing but
standing room for the late comers.
Little effort had been made to sell
seats in any of the neighboring
towns, the purpose of the manage
ment being to make sure of caring
for the home demand; so that it is
reasonably certain that third as
many more chairs might have been
filled had there been floor space to
accommodate them. An event such
as the one of Wednesday night sure
ly emphasizes Kendewick's need of
an adequate auditorium, and it is
the wish Of everyone that another
season may see such building in
use in this city.
This cantata marked the close Of
the Choral Society's work for the
season of 1911-191&. We believe
that everyone of the eighty singers
and instrumentalists who have
worked under Prof. G. O. Kimball
during the past five months in the
production of the society's two con-
certs have found in that work much
pleasure. And it is also certain
that each feels many times repaid
for their time and effort in the ben
eft, musically, they have received
from The teaching and help of such
a master-musician. This regard for
their conductor was shown at the
close of the society's last rehearsal
Tuesday evening, when three rous-
ing cheers were given to Mr.. Kim
ball by the chorus, after he had
made short talk, thanking them
for their cooperation.
Itmay be said without the least ex-
aggeration that Wednesday nights
production of THE Rose Maiden"
was as meritorious an event of its
character as was ever staged in any
city. of the size of Kennewick. Not
one marring incident occurred to de-
tract from the pleasure of the lis
teners and the cantata moved along
as smoothly as if being produced by
the best professional chorus.
In the singing of the solo parts
the audience had the rare privilege
of hearing four artists of great abil-
ity. These were Mrs. Chandler
Sloan. soprano, of Tacoma; Mrs.
Elizabeth Hamilton Showers, alto,
of Portland; Henry w. Newton,
tenor, of Spokane; and Stuart Nc
Guire, baritone, of Portland. The
pleasure afforded the music lovers
of Kennewick in hearing four such
beautiful and cultivated voices much
more than justified the society in
the heavy expense to which it was
put in bringing the soloists to this
city.
Much of the piano accompani-
ment of ''The Rose Maiden" is ex-
tremely difficult, and the society
was fortunate in having at that in
strument musician of such ability
as Miss Margaret M. Wetmore,
whose work throughout the season
has been of great value to director
and chorus alike. The CONNER
cial Club orchestra also contributed
not little to the enjoyment of the
concert. Many beautiful passages
for violins and clarinets occurred
throughput the score, adding great