The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1878-05-15
HAPPY CINCINNATI.
May Music in Our New and Beau
tifal Music Hall.
"A Magnificent Concert and a
Delighted Audience.
Notes and Incidents Of the Great
Occasion.

The announcement that on account OF
The great length of the opening night pro-
granme, 7 o'clock would be the hour of
commencement, brought great throngs to the
Music HallNhile it was broad daylight. In
fact, the whole audience was seated, the
Immense choruses in place, the orchestra in
trim and Mr. Theodore Thomas, the prince
of musicians, was upon the directors stand,
long before the busy world outside had fin
ished the days work.
IMPRESSIONS OF THE NEW HALL.
First of all came comments ON the new
Hall. They were without exception Of en-
phatic admiration. Its size, beauty, con-
yenience, and excellent acoustic proper
ties were all discussed at various times dur
ing the evening. Said one of the leading
solo singers, "Oh it's beautiful; it's grand;
it's a great credit to people that have be-
come famous for their love of music and
art"
THE CONCERT.
The promptness with which the audience
and chorus were seated and the necessity
Hor economizng time stimulated all to quick
'rector's stand little after Z o'clock, and a
warm outburst of applause greeted him.
The selections from "Alceste" composed the
first part of the programme The orches-
tral parts were grandly and beautifully rem
dered and when the great chorus came in any
fears that may have been entertained be-
cause of comment on rehearsal quickly dis
appeared. 1t was the same grand we'll
trained body of singers that has been the
leading feature of our Festivals from the
first. Though not quite so large as our last
chorus, it seemed really much heavier be-
cause of the superior acoustics of the Hall.
Too much in praise of the magnificent
chorus can not be said. This Is especially
true of the alto which bore off the honors
OIL opening night.
The role of "Alceste" was sung by Madame
Pappenheim. Her voice was as sweet and
clear as ever, and she sung with the same
conscientious accuracy, but she does not
appear to the same advantage in the concert
room as in opera. She is one of the finest
OF operatic actresses, and the opportunity to
fully display her dramatic power adds to
her singing She was so thoroughly up in
her part that she did not once refer to her
music during the whole concert. The short
phrases of tenor and alto rendered by Miss
Cranch and Mr. Fritsch, just previous to
the double chorus, were among the most
pleasing performances in the piece. Mr..
Remmertz, always a favorite, was warmly
received. So was Mr. Whitney, who sang
the part of "Thanatos" with wonderful
effect. Mr.. Adams appeared in the part of
"Admetus." He sang with great power and
beauty and made a much better impression
then ever before when he sung here. This
was his first appearance in Cincinnati as a
concert singer, for which he is much better
fitted then for the opera stage
Miss Heckle sung her solo with excellent
effect. Her voice rung out full and clear,
filling the immense hall with perfect ease.
No applause of the evening was more fully
deserved than that which followed Miss
Heckle's rendering of her short solo. After
lhe close of "Alceste" came the dedication
ceremonies.
DEDIcATING THE HALL 81.
AT this point Mr.. Reuben r. Springer, ac-
eompanied by number of gentlemen ap-
peared on the stage. Then came scene of
The widest excitement. The immense audi
ence rose to its feet, and the house rang
with deafening cheers. Hats were tossed in
he air, handkerchiefs and shawls and wraps
Of all kinds were waved, and hundreds of
bouquets were showered upon the venera-
bic and modest man as he stood upon the
stage before the audience. Mr.. Springer
stood modestly acknowledging the honors
Order being finally restored, Mr. Julius
Dexter stepped to the front, and in very
happy speech on the part of the Building
Committee turned the keys of the Hall over
TO the Trustees. Among the many pleasant
things Mr.. Dexter said:
"No burden of debt on the Hall depresses
our enthusiasm. No fear of danger dis
turbs our enjoyment Time, even, has
dealt gently with the revered old gentle
man whose years have ripened beyond the
allotted space of life, and whose presence
with us tonight is the sweetest drop in our
cup Of happiness That he may live long
to see the blessings of his wise generosity
will be our fervent prayer. Generous as he
has been-and nobody better than those
roLnected with the building of this hall can
know how generously he has acted--gener
}ous as he has been, it is not the amount of
his gift which especially entities him
TO our gratitude. Other persons may
have given as much; possibly, in
proportion to their means, more. Who
may say that the contribution of the col
ored barber, or of the hard working me-
chanic of a rolling-mill, is not the equal in
liberality with any 81 900, or even with the
largest sum given? The liberalitv of Mr.
Springer consists chiefly in its usefulness,
its modesty, the wisdom of its conditions,
and particularly in its invitation of aid from
Others. The gifts of all the other sub
ycribers would have been powerless to build
this hail. would never have been made at
all but for the opportunity and encourage
ment of the first noble offer. 1t is the priv
ilege of wealth to foster, protect and assist
good works, and praise is rightly his who