New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1929-03-16
april 7 CONCERT
To BE BEST EVER
Choral Society, 100 Voices, to
Sing king Olaf'

Because the Strand theater is con-
siderably larger than the Capitol
theater. where it was originally
planned to give the third attraction
of the Civic Music association in
conjunction with the New Britain
Choral society, and because the
membership of the Civic Music as
ISOLATION alone could not adequately
fill the Strand theater. the third and
concluding concert on April will
be thrown open to the public. This
was the main agreement arrived at
between officials at the two organl-
cations at a joint meeting held at
the Shuttle Meadow club.
President H. f. Hodge OF the
Choral Society previously had an
nounced that the public in addition
to the members of the Civic Music
association would be welcomed at
the concluding concert: but until
yesterdays Joint gathering the de-
tails of the plan could not be fixed.
The concert will be given by the
Choral society. this year $50 strong
but in conjunction with the Civic
Music association, which fact re-
quired joint action by the officials
OF both organizations.
The Strand theater seats 200
persons The membership of the
Civic Music association in this, the
first year of its existence, is 700 sub
scribers. II the original intention OF
restricting this concert only to sub
scribers and friends had been con-
tinued there would be an audience
of less than 1000 persons. This
prospect did not fit we'll with the
Choral society. which is accustomed
to singing before a filled theater;
secondly, it was found necessary to
secure additional funds for the con-
cert, considering the expense inyolv-
ed is far above the share of the
Choral society in the distribution Of
income from the Civic Music asso-
citation.
Under the new plan, however,
Civic Music association subscribers
will be entitled to the best seats in
the house. Loge holders in the Cap
itol will be entitled to approximately
the same locations in the loge seats
at the Strand.
The officials Of both organizations
intend to make an effort to fiji the
Strand at the final concert of the
association series, President Hodge
reported that the Choral society had
40 IL
had in its best previous year, and
this means it has a larger member
ship than it has had in most years
since its formation.
In view Of the probability that the
Strand will be filled. the Choral So
ciety has made plans 70 employ an
orchestra of 40 skilled musicians,
and has secured three widely known
soloists, Olive Klein, soprano: Jud-
son House. tenor. and Theodore
Webb. baritone. All of these have Il
wide following and have been guest
soloists OF important radio presenta
tons. This. it is held. will guarantee
their high quality to d New Britain
audience. even though none of the
singers has SO far appeared here in
person.
President Hodge reported also
that the Choral society under Ed
ward +. Laubln has been having
weekly rehearsals and has attained
vivid mastery OF the vocal score Of
Carl Busch's famed American work,
King Olaf" which is based upon
the poem by LongfelloW. This choral
work is conceded by most musicians
TO be the most brilliant ever penned
by an American. Its impressive eff
feet when the Choral society sang
II years ago will be well rendered
by friends Of the society. In addition
to this sterling work, the concert
will include a choral number from
Haydn's "Creation.' The soloists.
100, viii each contribute to the pro-
gram with orchestral accom- ani-
ment.
THE public is bound TO realize
remarked President Hungerford OF
the Civic Music association, that
this concert will be one Of the great
est ever given in the history OF New
Britain, and that it will be worthy
Of Widespread support upon civic as
we'll as artistic grounds