Evening star., 1937-03-21
BETHLEHEM CHOIR
TO HOLD FESTIVAL

THE Bethlehem Bach Choir, num-
bering 265 voices, is making ex-
tensive preparations for the thirtieth
Bach Festival, to be held in the Packer
Memorial Chapel at Lehigh University
on Friday and Saturday, May %
and 20.
For the Friday program, of the six
cantatas selected by DR.. Bruce Carey,
the director, four are new to Beth
lehem audience. These are: The
Heavens Declare the Glory of God"
which Bach introduced himself as
cantor to the Thomaskirche in Leipzig,
and which is made up of marvellous
theme and tonal masses; Blessed
Jesus, Priceless Treasure" a solo can
tata; "Out of Darkness" and God Is
My King" two cantatas written when
Bach was but % years of age, and
"Out of Darkness Call I, Lord, to
Thee" The other two cantatas to be
sung on Friday are "SIeepers, Wake"
given in 1920 last, and Now Hath
Salvation" sung in 1918. Five cho-
rales will also form a part of Fridays
program.
On Saturday the Mass in B Minor"
will be given in complete form by the
Bethlehem Bach Choir for the thir-
tieth time.
The following soloists have been en-
gagged for the festival, IS announced
at the office of the Bach Choir today:
Louise Lerch, soprano; Grace La Mar
and Lillian Knowles, alto; Arthur
Kraft, tenor, and Julius Huehn, bass.
Miss La Mar and Miss Knowles are
new soloists, never having sung at a
Bethlehem Bach Festival before.
Miss Lerch sang at the 1928, 1885
and 1896 festivals, Mr.. Kraft at the
1926, 1928, 1929, 1880 and 1881 fes-
tivals and Mr.. Huehn at the 1884 and
1885 festivals. Miss Lerch was for
mer member of the Bach Choir for five
years before entering upon her career
with the Metropolitan Opera Co. of
New York City. Her work at the
Bethlehem Bach Festivals has been
eminently successful.
Miss Knowles, young English con-
tralto, who was entirely trained in this
country, has to her credit at least 10
appearances with the Bach Society of
Chicago, singing with that organiza-
ton all of the major Bach works as
well as cantatas. Her last big achieve
ment was on the occasion when she re-
placed Katherine Meisle at 4" hours
notice in the "St. Matthew Passion"
performed by the Chicago SYM
pnony Orchestra last Spring, emerg-
ing as an outstanding success.
Miss La Mar, although equally ver-
satile in recital, oratorio and opera, is
particularly attracted to the fields Of
opera and recital. She is, however,
keenly interested in oratorios, having
made a special study of the Bach
works and German lieder in Ger
many.
MIR. Kraft, heard at five Bethlehem
Bach Festivals, possesses tenor of
extremely wide range, and his work
approval in Bethlehem.
Mr.. Huehn is another favorite with
q Bethlehem Bach audience. His first
appearance, in 1884, created a furor
and at his second appearance he read
lily maintained his reputation with his
splendid tones.
At the organ will be DR.. T. Edgar
Shields, who has held that position for
almost 35 years. The accompanist
will be Ruth Becker Myers. The Mo-
ravian Trombone Choir will assist in
announcing the sessions with chorales
from the ivied steeple Of the Memorial
Chapel.
The Bethlehem Bach Choir was
founded in 1898 by the late Dr. John
Frederick Wolfe, who was its gifted
leader up to the time of his death, in
January, 1888. He left a tradition
which his successor, DR.. Carey, and the
loyal group of singers of the Bach
Choir are endeavoring to perpetuate
Inquiries concerning ticket reserva-
tions for the coming festival are being
received at the Bach Choir Office, 528
North New street, Bethlehem, Pa.