Word: swensson
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...Alma Swensson was the prim, capable wife of a Lutheran schoolman in the little Swedish-American town of Lindsborg, Kans. (pop. 2,004). Alma Swensson loved Handel's oratorio, The Messiah, decided that her Swedish neighbors should hear it too. So she sent for the music, gathered a chorus of young people from the surrounding towns and farms, rehearsed them and let the welkin ring. That...
...Swensson's sacred musical was such a success that it went on tour, in lumber wagons along dusty Kansas roads, to the neighboring towns of Salemsburg, Salina and New Gottland. Next year they did it again. The chorus grew, acquired a permanent orchestra and conductor, hired famous soloists like Lillian Nordica, Ernestine Schumann-Heink, Olive Fremstad. Lindsborg's annual Messiah became the biggest musical event in Kansas...
Easter Sunday marked the 160th Lindsborg Messiah. Still singing fervently with the sopranos was Alma Swensson, 76, who with her late husband founded the Lindsborg festivals 54 years ago. Alma Swensson was 22 when she sent East for copies of Messiah, corralled a few eager pupils and taught them the great oratorio measure by measure. When her festivals were 27 years old the great Lillian Nordica was a soloist and in Lindsborg that occasion has become legendary. The enchanted choristers pulled her carriage through the streets, received in return roses from her bouquet. One youth planted his bloom...
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