Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980, 1922-05-27
Armory Crowded to
Doors By Hundreds
Who Hear Oratorio

There was not even standing
4 room left last night at the Salem
armory when all had taken their
n,aces to hear the oratorio "Crea-
v ton, =" the largest thing of its
kind ever presented in Salem. The
attendance was a triumph in it
n self, filling every seat in the house
N and the overflow standing against
a the walls Many who came to buy
last-minute tickets were turned
II away.
"A The mass chorus was fan i'm
pressive sight as the different sec
N tions filed in to take their places
n Monmouth, Dallas, Albany and
a Salem. Each chorus was given
mention. The women were gowned
In white and the men in dark
suits.
Success Unquestioned
The oratorio was the opening
event of the first annual William
a cite Wiley May Festival, given
Il with the intention of making the
festival an annual institution Of
growing Importance. If the sue
ii cess may be judged by the beauty
= of the production, the wonderful
attendance and the appreciation
Vi of the audience, and there seems
nothing else to judge 1t by, then
the festival Is assured as an Van-
N nual event The second number
M of the May Festival will be held
tonight at the armory in the form
Of the production of living pic
lures. The patronage for this
promises to rival that Of last
hight.
The work of the chorus was
Wonderful and should be given
First mention for the precision
with which that huge body Of
.smore than 400 singers responded
to the direction of DR.. John r.
Bites, director. They sang Ils
with one mind, striking the initial
tones with accent that brought
listeners right up to the edge of
their chairs. There was not a
false note from the chorus and
livery stop was clean cut and en-
phatic. The choruses were brill
liant, they were marvellous; their
Fery hugeness demanded an audi
torium larger ttnn the armory for
full development of tone values.
The chorus was we'll balanced.
Soloist Keenly Enjoyed
Mrs. Jane Burns Albert, as
Gabriel, was delightful Her voice
Us clear and rich and sweet and
kven when singing with huge
rhorus she could be heard and en-
Dyed. Her number "With Yer
iure Clad'' was lovely. She was
lso greatly enjoyed in the trio in
Xhe final chorus of the first part
NThe Heavens Are Telling. " This
#horus, which is the greatest in
Die entire production, brought a
torm of applause from the audi
Ance and was repeated at the close
4 the third part.
John w. Siefert, as Uriel, dis
Mayed tenor. voice of excellent
uality. His numbers were much
snjoyed. His solo ''In Native
Worth" vtls especially melodious
nd beautiful. John Claire Mon
teith, as Raphael, won his adui-
nee in both solo and trio work.
u was his recitative "In the Be-
ginning" which opened the ora
torio. "Rolling on Foaming Bill
ows" as we'll as his recitatives In
he second part won much favor.
Orchestra Work Praised
Mrs. ]. S. Innders and Charles
n. Cone were we'll liked as Adam
nd Eve Their appearance was
n the third part and their num-
ers were harmonious and we'll
hone.
Coming in for great share of
he credit for the success of the
: production are members Of the
salem Symphony orchestra and
lrs. William BurgEnrdt, Jr., piano
ecompanist. The accompaniment
~ Or the oratorio is most difficult
o play and was done last night in
beautiful way. The support of
he orchestra was excellent. Mrs.
Burghardt proved herself master
u piano. In nhny places it was
he piano alone that carried the
accompaniment and with her at
he keyboard it was adequate and
.pvely. Her tones were large and
beautiful and one wondered that
b much music could come from
pne instrument
There is no doubt that the May
Festival is an institution which
ill put Salem on the map in a
husieal way. 1t is tremendous
Tent. 1t Is the triumphant ar
iyal after months of work and
yercoming of obstacles. The
evelopment of a thing so big and
well worth while is not accom-
lished without many smaller vic
pries along the way. Great credit
due to DR.. John r. Sites, who
irected the oratorio, to Miss
Helen Moore, Monmouth director,
lrs. F. NJ Parrish, Dallas diree-
pr, Professor Wallace Howe Lee,
lbany director.
Behind the entire undertaking