Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1868-06-28
THE CHICAGO sAENGERFEsT.
The Contest Between the AriOn and
LfederEgranz Societies.


Correspondence y. Y. Tribune.l
CHICAGO, Saturday, June 20, 1868.
The Fest is drawing to a close, and but
little remains now except social enjoy
ment in the shape of balls and picnics.
in nv last letter I alluded to one or two
features OF the programme Of the closing
concert last evening, which / should
sneak of more in detail in this letter.
Among these features was the singing OF
the Arion and LiedeTkraBZ Societies OF
yCur cities. Much, but not too much,
had been predicted of their sing ing by
their respective friends. They had each
about the same numerical strength, and
each chose their own leader, the Arion
selecting Carl Bergman, who is no
stranger to Chicago, having given or
chestral concerts here nearly twenty
years ago, when musical appreciation
was at an ebb sufficiently low TO ruin
any man who was bold enough to WELD
8 baton. It was not formally COM
petitive trial of vocal skill, and no jury
had been appointed to award a pri2s to
the most successful society, and yet the
audience was really a jury, and both the
societies felt this, and knew that the au-
dience was watching them with keen
anxiety and would discriminate between
them. The compositions sung were not
very difficult. In each case they re-
qUired expression and carefulness in
bringing out the light and shade. Each
Society sang without accompaniment,
following the guide OF the baton only,
and doubt whether either needed even
this, for they could not have sung these
songs rs they did without an amount OF
practice which would have enabled
them 10 sing without q conductor. The
style OF HIugIHg UaUlI risssils-Fs
Each Society was perfect in crescendOs
and dimiDuendOs, and each was equally
perfect in time, no matter how badly
broken up it Wss. The various parts
were always taken on the exact beat,
without variation in tune. The quality
Of the aggregate voice in the two Socie-
ties also left no margin for choice. There
were points Of difference however. The
AriOns had decidedly the best tenOrs,
and there was no voice in the Lieder-
krsnz which could compare with that of
Mr.. Candidus. But on the other hand
the LiederkTanz had decidedly the best
bassOs, and there was no voice in the
AriOns which could compare with that
OF Mr.. Steins-Of course referring to the
respective parts, tenor and baritone, sung
10y these gentlemen. The audience was
evidently unable to decide between
them, for the applause in each case was
even, and the encores which each re-
ceived were perfectly overwhelming.
Both Societies covered themselves with
laurels. If it is any distinction for the
AriOn, 1t may be noted that Mr.. Candi-
dus, after his solo In the Battle Hymn
from "Rienzi,n received some bouquets
from fair hands in the audience. But
these may have been compelled on the
score Of good looks, which have decided
influence in helping to make reputation
for an artist.
Another interesting event Of the eve
ming was the solo singing Of the ATion
des Weston, of st. Louis, which took the
first prizS at the Ssengerfest at Indian
apOlis last year. The society wss
smaller In numbers than either Of those
from New York, end sang more difficult
music. 10 technical execution it was q
grade below them, but in blending OF
voices and IN smooth flowing harmony,
ii was fully their equal, If not superior,
and achie,ed an encore quite as enthu-
siRstlc.
Henry Mollsnhsuer, whose cello play
ing j. too well known to need more than
mention, as 1t includes perfect mastery
of all the resources of the king Of instru-
ments, played some variations on themes
from PTecfosd and made the most pro
nounced impression Of the evening. The
cheers and braves were fairly deafening,
and his attempt to evsde the chorus was
utterly useless when demanded by 5000
people unsteady wild Madam Lumlev
only made q success a. eStiale in spite of her
finS method OF singing. Her upper
voice - thin and unpleasant, and her ex-
eeutiou uneven and hard, while her
freedom, VIII the score is distracting to
sn orchestra. She is not up to the
standard of g score If operate artists-a
sts ndard she must be Judged by as her
whole training has evidently been in the
)peratic.