Evening Republican, Volume 20, Number 110, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 May 1916 — MAY FESTIVAL [ARTICLE]

MAY FESTIVAL

Matinee Musical Program Thursday, May 11, M. E. Church—The Cantata “The Rose Maiden”; Given by Choral Club Friday, May 12,'Christian Church.

Those who heard the “Cantata Ruth”, given by the Choral club in February, well know the splendid work that is being done by this club and will not miss the opportunity of hearing the club again in the beautiful cantata, “Rose Maiden.” “The Rose Maiden,” the large choral work by Frederick H. Cowen, is given by more choral clubs than any other cantata, and the bridal chorus, one of its big choruses, is one of the most beautiful compositions ever written. All the choruses, solos, 'uets and trios are full of melody and the accompaniment, piano and orchestra, are most fitting to the beautiful strains of the entire cantata. The chorus and orchestra have been working diligently on their parts, and the solo parts will be taken by Miss Agnes Farwell as “Rose Blossom,” Miss Clora Belle Spalding as “The Gardener’s Daughter,” Mrs. E. J. Rand’e singing the tenor role and Dr. Myer taking the part of ‘The Spring.” Miss Farwell and Miss Spalding are soloists of wide experience, being church and concert singers in Chicago. Both are personal friends of Mrs. Sage— Miss Farwell being her graduate pupil and later finishing with Mrs. O. L. Fox of the Chicago Musical college; Miss Spaulding also be.ng a medal pupil of Mrs. Fox. Miss Farwell has a beautiful, clear soprano voice of wide range and sings with great style and interpretation. Miss Spaulding’s voice is a large, mellow’ contralto — rich in color and well suited to her part in “The Rose Maiden.” Mrs. Randle has been studying with D. A. Clippinger of Chicago, and Rensselaer audiences w’ell know her. ability. Dr. Myer, who is a pupil of Mrs. Sage, uses his powerful, rich voice to splendid advantage in the difficult role of “The Spring.” Mrs. Sage has worked hard .and faithfully with the club to get the cantata in readiness. The club will consist of 40 voices of well trained singers. The club highly appreciated the large attendance at the last cantata and wants to extend a very cordial invitation to both city mid- country people to be present ut this entertainment. The price of single admission to the Matinee Musical on Thursday night will be 25c. To the cantata Friday night will be 35c single admission. A season ticket for -he two nights may be purchased at Long’s drug store or of members of the club for 50c.

ARGUMENT. The Queen of the Flower Fairies, weary of a life of unbroken calm, prays of the newly returned Spring that he will bestow upon her also the gift of love that hebestowsupon man. He warns her of tne risk she runs, but finally yields to her entreaties by changing her while she sleeps into the form of a beautiful girl. Under the name of Roseblossom, she wanders through the world to find the love that she seeks, and meets with a girl who having been betrayed and deserted by her lover, loses her sense and dies broken hearted. But, undeterred from her search, Roseblossom becomes the wife of a forester with whom she lives for a time with such perfect happiness that she cannot survive his death. The elves bewail the fate of their Queen, and curse love as fatal to peace and happiness. —Advt.