The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1915-01-28
EcHoEs PROM THE MEss1AH.

6CdOES FhOM THE MESSIAH.
The musical event of The winter was
the rendering of Handel s grand ora
torio, the Messiah, in the Rhode opera
house, the evening of January 22nd, in
the presence of an audience that by no
means was a credit to our city. Those
who attended were, and are, enthusiast
tic in their praise and appreciation of
the efficiency of the Choral society, he
ability of the soloists and of the skill
of Mr.. Knapp as director. At the
same time, many no were in the au-
dience, are still expressing their amaze
ment over the absence of numerous sup
posed music lovers who are able to ap-
preciate good music when they hear it,
although this latter assertion is open
to a good deal of questioning. The
Messiah ought 20 appeal particularly to
those who have come degree of prof.
cheney in the music and who, in conse-
quence of this knowledge, are ever
ready and willing to further the cause
of music in the community. But to
assert thai Kenosha has any large num-
Der of public spirited individuals who
are supporters of an organization like
the Choral society, is to assert some
thing that the facts do not substan-
tiate.
To listen to the Messiah once, ought
to arouse a desire to hear it again, as
the oratorio can be appreciated only
after it has been heard a number of
times. To argue otherwise indicates
an absence of musical taste.
The members of the Choral society
are to be commended fer their persist
ancy in rendering the oratorio in the
presence of disccuragements that ordi-
narily would paralyze such an organic
| alton. That the failure of many to at
tend the concert is the cause of much
| unfavorable comment on the part of the
| people who are interested in the tender
ing of high class music, need not even be
mentioned to be apparent, for so many
expressions of disappointment and even
of disgust have been heard that further
comment is unnecessary.
A Kenosha audience never listened to
more artistic rendering of the " Mes
siah' than that with which it was
given last Friday evening. The chorus
was unusually well balanced, each part
having just the right number in pro
portion to the entire chorus, to bring
| out the part with the very fullest eff
feet. It is impossible to say which one
of the four parts had the highest de-
gree of proficiency, for each part so
balanced. every other, that praise for
one is and must be praise for all.
The soprano soloist, Miss Margaret
Becker lis we'll worthy of the enthus-
iastic applause which greeted her first
appearan" in the difficult role assigned
her. Hei voice has quality seldom
heard at the beginning Of musical ca
reer and IS indicative of careful train
ing under a skilled instructor. Miss
Becker can we'll feel encouraged over
her reception in the ranks of soloists.
Mrs Gertrude Kastholm Darsie, alto
soloist, has voice well suited to the
part taken by her in the oratorio, and
vigorous and prolonged applause greet
ed her first appearance before a Keno
sha audience.
! Alfred Kanberg, tenor and Carlisle
Smith, basso, both of whom are new to
Kenosha music lovers, captured the au-
dience by the proficiency with which
each one carried his part of difficult
program, the former deserving especial
praise Taken all in all, the four solo
lists were of rare ability and could cas-
lily satisfy the most critical of audi
ences.
Mr.. Knapp, the director of the Ke
nosha Choral Society can be congratu-
lated on account of the results of his
ability as director, proof of which
was heard in the rendering Of the en-
tire program January 22nd. The "Mes-
siah' - is one of tn most difficult of the
great oratorios, and the manner of it's
rendering, and the response of the en-
tire chorus to the slightest motion of
the director ARE all the more notice
able when this fact is taken under con-
sideration. The concert was worthy of
an audience that would fill the opera
house to the very doors.
II. K. Gebhart.