New Britain herald., 1928-03-03
HANDLES MESSIAH SUNG BY l50 VOICES
Effective Rendition Given at
 First Lutheran Church

An annual production Of Haniel's renowned oratorio. The Messiah will be given at the First Lutheran church, and in more ela borate fash ion each year it was announced al the third presentation Of that ora torio 1t the editice last night. The audience completely filled the church 10 hear the chorus of l50 and orchestra, under the baton of Per olsson, give q spirited rendi- ton. Applause in the church Is limited to wis-wagging of the pro- gram leaflets, and this method was very thoroughly carried out after each number.
 The most distinctive portions 3. the Messiah" are the great cho- ruses. which represent an achieve ment i'll choral literature unmatched ! in music. The choir sang 10 of these great paeans and astonishment was general over the thorough mastery ot the difficulties. The attacks never Jagged. the web Of the parts was spun with clarity, the effect truly iandelian, Admiration must have been general at the industry ana ! skill of Conductor olsson in train ing the singers to such aftainments 1 Many Of them were so thoroughly at home in the music that they did not need 10 glance at the score with frequency.
 i The orchestra was not as large as those usually identified with
 Messiah presentations but 1t is growing larger each year. Last night il consisted of 15 players, strings and woodwind, and for the most part was composed Of mem bers of the New Britain Musical Club orchestra. Marcus H. Fleitze.' was the concert master and Mrs. Morris Hoglund Of Hartford was at th" piano keyboard. The orchestra played the music with spirit and capably did its part i'll blending the harmonic structure. It was less ef- iectlVe in the pastoral symphony" the exquisite intermezzo midway li-h-NI'I-i4 l-- .. in the work.
 he soloist. were Mrs. Harry thriSenscn, soprano: Miss Mildred F. l.. swanson. alto; Gaylord B. Cook or Bristol. tenor, and Arthur Olson, bass. These presented the rccltatives and airs in excellent manner, and though all orchestra of 15 perhaps was small in conjunction With the chorus of l5o, the accom- paniment was well nigh ideal for the soloists. IL was fine oppor- unity for Mrs. Christensen and Miss swanson, the regular soloists at the church, and their host Of admirers used the program leaflets vigorously ln applauding their efforts. Both were in good voice and sang with distinction
 The tenor and bass solois,s had two numbers each, in both instances one number following the other, so that it had the effect Of one. Of the tenor, MT, Cook. special mention need be made. He was selected for the part only week before the per iormance, and as he is suffering from serious eye ailmen, found it necessary to memorize his solos quickly and under adverse condi- uons. Those knowing the conditions We're highly pleased at his accom- plishment. To him also came the ne- cessity of beginning the evenings music, the oratorio starting with a recitative and air for tenor. MT. Ol- son. the bass, needed no introduction 10 the audience and gave 8 good ac- count of himself.
 The pastor of the church. the Rev Dr. Abel 4. Ahlquist, made q short talk in which he referred 10 the outstanding efforts of Conductor Olsson in plimentary terms and announced that Mir. Olsson desired 10 perform the Messiah" annually, in constantly increasing style. Lind borg, kans., was held up as an ideal. where the swedish population in a town of o,GoQ. by giving an annual Messiah" festival for years. has at talned such distinction that people come 10 the town annually from all parts of the state. The pastor also referred 10 the writing Of the Mes siah' in 24 days, and to its first per formance in Dublin. Ireland. He stressed the fact that the first au- dience hearing the work was smaller than the one which heard ii last night, but from such q small begin ming the oratorio has conquered the musical world.