The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1912-01-16
THE MESSIAH witt"
Be GIVEN THIS
~
EVENING
Grand Forks Chorus and Or.
chcstra Will Render
Oratorio

1oNlHHC Cic Gran0 FORKS OratOriO
society chorus and the Grand Forks
defs Messiah" at the auditorium on
North Fifth street. The event will be
literally supported by the Grand
Forks music loving public. as the Choir.
US and orchestra are in splendid trim
for the event.
The two organizations have been d.
rected for some time by w. w. Norton,
OF the university. and they have been
rounded out to that point Of perfec-
ton where little remains to be done,
and the large audience assured this
evening is' practically certain to be
entirely pleased.
Final joint rehearsal of the two
bodies was held Monday evening. the
orchestra rehearsing at noon today
with the soloists.
Ther has been one change in the
soloists, Miss Lewis being unable to
come and her place will be taken
by Mrs. Nesbit Poehler Of Minneapo-
Lis. Mrs. Poehler arrived in Grand
Forks this morning. The other artists
son of Grand Forks, Mr.. Williams and
Mr.. Holmquist.
story OF the Messiah.
The Messiah" represents the ripen-
ed production Of Handel's genius and
reflects the noblest aspirations and
most exalted devotion Of mankind.
Among all his oratorios It retains its
in the highest degree, in that It APP.
peals to the Hottest sentiment as to
universal religious devotion.
1T was begun on August %. 1141.
The first part was concluded August
Is. the second September 6. the third
September r., and the instrumental.
ton September H.. 1t is an illustra-
ton of Handel's almost superhuman
capacity for work. that att the age Of
piece in twenty-three days. The text
was taken from the literal words Of
scripture.
For two years prior to the appear
ance of the Messiah" Handel had
been harassed by rival opera man.
ayers in London, who ultimately sue
ceeded in reducing him to an insol-
vent debtor. While in this wretched
plight an invitation was extended to
visit, Dublin. He eagerly accepted 1t,
and agreed to give an oratorio for
the benefit of poor distressed prison.
ers for debt. in the several Marshall
seas of Dublin"
The Messiah" was performed thir-
ty-four times during the composers
life, but the grandest event was in
Westminster Abbey. in 1884. when
The largest choir and orchestra. that
had ever been assembled gave the
Messiah" in accordance with the
grand ideal of the composer. The
orchestra numbered 342 players, and
the great chorus, made up Of the
cathedral singers. numbered 1857
voices.
The Oratorio !Analyzed.
The oratorio is divided into three
NaNts Mia H-ak SII,kA>~ Ar --
Ing of the world for the Messiah.
prophesies His coming and announces
His birth. The second part is devot-
ed to the sufferings. death. and exalta-
ton Of Christ. while the third Is oc-
.cupied with the declaration of the
highest truths Of doctrine-faith in
the existence Of God. the surety Of i'm
mortal life, the resurrection and the
attainment of an eternity of happi-
ness.
or the three parts. undoubtedly the
second is the most impressive. Begin
ming with the majestic chorus. Be
hold the Lamb of God!" and followed
by the aria for alto, HE Was Despis-
3D." one Of the. most pathetic and
deeply expressive, songs ever written,
In which the very keynote Of sorrow
Is struck. Other numbers lead to the
great and triumphaI Hallelujah Choir
us. which is the triumph of his work
and its real climax. After listening to
Its performnmc one can understand
Handel's words: when asked his emo
tons when composing this marvellous
chorus. he said, II did think I did see
all heaven before me and the Goa
Himself"
Custom Established Ivy the King.
1t is worthy of note that when the
oratorio was given at Convent Garden
London. in 1743. the whole audience.
with the king at its head. dur
ing the singing Of the grand "IIallelu-
jah chorus. and remained standing till
its close. and this custom has pre-
vailed the world owe to this date.
Other oratorios may be compared
one with another: the 'iMesriah''
stands alone, a majestic monument to
the memory Of the composer and an
imperishable- record of the noblest
sentiments of human nature.