Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1870-02-03
THE RUTLAND HERALD.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 90, 1870.
Montpelier Musical Convention.
MONTPELIER, Jan. %, 1870.

week, it being the occasion Of the Fifth
annual session of the Central Vermont
Musical Convention, which, commencing
on the 18th inst. continued four days.
The attendance Of members compared
iavorably in numbers and fully equaled,
If not surpassed, either of the former
sessions in the quality and effectiveness
of the chorus.
The different parts were admirably bal
anced, each being fully and ably repre-
sented. AS whole, the Convention was
decided and glorious success, and too
much praise cannot be awarded the
Messrs. Hopkins and their assistants for
their efficient and intelligent management
of the whole affair.
This result has been especially CRAFTY
ing to some of us here, in view OF the
fact that we this year tried the expert
ment of making it purely Vermont
convention, and it has been clearly de.
monstrated that we need not hereafter go
beyond the limits Of our own State for
either director, soloists or pianists to en-.
sure success.
The committee of arrangements, by
their urgent solicitation, were successful
in securing the services of our esteemed
townsman, Col Il. D. Hopkins as musical
director of the convention, and the SO.
quel fully justified the selection. The
Colonel very reluctantly accepted the
position, for, although he had long been
closely identified with the cause of music
in Vermont, this was an untried Office.
But bringing to the work an expe.
rience of twenty years or more in the di.
rection of church choirs and Sunday
schools, it was quite apparent from the
first that he was no novice. He had NO
new tune book to introduce or other fax
to grind" and hence the music selected
and used was of much higher order
than usual on such occasions, most Of
the choruses being from the oratorios and
masses of the celebrated masters.
Another noticeable advantage Col. Hop.
kins possessed was in. his personal &C.
quaintance with large proportion of the
members, as with this knowledge of his
class he was enabled to command and secure
the best possible effects with less percepti.
bic effort than we have been wont to see on
other like occasions. His manner was quiet
and transformations, always addressing the
class in low tones, with few words he
communicated his ideas to the members
so clearly that they seemed at once to
catch the inspiration, and interpret the
sentiment of the composer with telling
effect. The ability to accomplish this so
directly and completely, is talent pos
aessed by but few.
We understand the managers of the
convention so well appreciated this char.
acteristic in Col. Hopkins, and the value
OF his services as director, during this
session, that they omitted him from
, the list of officers for 1870, with the pur-
pose of securing him if possible, another
year, for tho position he has so ably filled
during this session.
The soloists Of the convention were aa
had been previously announced, Mrs
Oliver of your own town, principal so.
Rrano, Miss Mary Holyoke of ST. Albans,
also soprano, Mrs. Ellsworth of Berkshire,
alto, Mr.. B. d. Hopkins of St. Adams,
basso, and Mr.. Phillips of Montpelier,
tenere.
Mrs. Oliver. the principal soprano solo.
ist, came to Montpelier an entire stranger
and made her first appearance before the
convention on Tuesday evening Not a
person, we believe, was in the Hall, except
her husband, who had ever heard her
, sing before. She was there to occupy
places heretofore twice filled by Mrs.
Hall of Boston, and twice by Mrs. Smith.
Add to this the fact of that cold reserve
with which Vermont audienges-and
especially Montpelier auaiop ces--are
wont to receive all new. comera to the
stage and rostrum, and it viii readily be
perceived that the test ghicJl awaited
Mrs Oliver was ID severe uae. Her slight
form, youthful appearance and extremely
pleasant manner, fully recognized by the
audience on her appearance upon the
platform, We're so many good points in
aer favor. 1t is curious, now that the
affair is over, to recall the interest with
which her first utterances were awaited
The song selected was "The Nightingale
and it was given with all that warn. ia Of
expression, purity of tone and distinct
ness of enunciation which sfterward
proved to be such prominent an 4 valuable
characteristics in her singing. This SONG
finished, she was most roundly a,splauded
and an encore 80 Professionally dc mandsc
that it was given. We, who were wit
nesses to this success, felt that it was {
rare achievement. She, who moi nent be
fore stood closely scanned stranger, ha6
come at bound to. the full confidence
and love OF the whole community L
was glorious triumph,
The story of Mrs. divers intro ,ductior
TO the Montpelier convention for E,revity'l
sake may be taken as the whole story o.
hex success here. Having gained sucI
enyiable favor at the start, her wa.y there
after was strewn only with flowers. A,
every appearance she was warmly ap.
plauded, and in each separate instance
except when she sang in connection with
the full chorus. as in one or two cases
an encore was demanded. Whether in
simplest ballad or difficult aria, the was
equally happy and successful, and equally
at home. Her solo in Infammat2ls, per.
haps the most important work which sh
attempted, was given with all thai
warmth and fervor which the great sub
ject demands, and was received by the
audience with the heartiest de1loustra
tions of enthusiasm.
After what we have said OF the effect
of Mrs divers singing, not much need
be said Of the singing itself She has q
voice of rare compass and purity
and in its use,showsl most excellent cul