Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1915-04-28
Accompanist of Choral Society


Practically all arrangements have
been completed for the Spring Music
Festival of the Harrisburg Choral So
ciety tomorrow.
This afternoon C. f. Nv. Yoder.
superintendent of concert arrange
ments, with a large force of carpen-
ters, began erecting the extension
stage and the singers platform at the
Majestic Theater. This work will be
completed late tonight. The orches-
ira and soloists will arrive to-mor-
row morning at 8 o'clock; the re-
hearsal is at 10 in the theater; the
afternoon concert, at 3 o'clock and
the evening concert at Sis.
The final regular rehearsal will be
held this evening in Fahnestock Hall,
when Samson will be rehearsed
from cover TO cover.
f.. ]. Decevee, of the Harrisburg
Conservatory of Music, is the assist
ant director and the accompanist of
the Choral Society. Some of the
recitatives in the oratorio Samson"
which the Choral Society will sing
tomorrow evening, are accompanied
by an organ in addition to the or
chestra. The accompaniment will be
played by Mr.. Decevee. Mr.. Decevee
has been the accompanist of the so
ciety for many years, having taken
the place of ID. f.. Crozier, the former
accompanist.
Story of Samson"
Mr.. Decevee tells the story of
Samson" as follows:
Handel used as a libretto parts of
Milton's Samson Agonistes.' The
compiler. supposed to have been
10
necessary to make a connected dra-
matte oratorio.
THE argument introduces the once
mighty Samson, who harassed Israers
enemy, the Phi1istines. now a blind
captive, made so through the machi-
nations of his wife, Delilah. During a
festival in honor of the Philistines'
god Dagon, Samson is relieved from
his toll to greet his father, Manoah,
his friend Micah, and other Israelites,
who have come to visit him, to whom
he acknowledges the justice of his
punishment because he had disobeyed
the God of Israel, and predicts that
the heather god will not be allowed
to triumph over Jehovah.
Buried Enemies
"The second and third parts show
Delilah in pretended penitence and
submission, entreating Samson to re-
turn to his nome. He refuses. lie
is then approached by Harapha, a
giant of Gath, whom Samson chal-
lenges to a trial of strength, the out
come to decide which nation wor-
ships the true God. In the meantime,
Samson is commanded to attend the
pagan festivities. His friends, per-
picked and anxious for his safety,
call on God for help. Samson goes,
believing he is under the guidance
from heaven. His father and friends
hear the joyous shouts of the Philis-
tines when they see their conquered
foe, but soon an appalling, loud, con-
fused nokse is heard, intermingled
with wailings and cries for help.
Samson, with supernatural strength,
has pulled down the Philstines' tenn
pie and buried his enemies and him
self in its ruins"
In Perfect Condition
DR.. j. Fred Wolfe, of Bethlehem,
who arrived in the city this after
noon. said of the Choral Society:
1.-The Choral Society is splendidly
equipped. The different parts are
strong and well-balanced. The So
ciety has worked hard on Samson
all winter and now knows it well.
Indeed, it is so well prepared for the
work thai am not afraid to have 1t
judged by the severest critic. I look
forward to. a brilliant outcome of this
seasons work in the, festival to-mor-
row evening"