The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1880-05-22
A GRAND SUCCESS
Was the May Musical Festival
of 1880.
Closing Scenes Last Night.-.Will MIR.
Thomas Leave Cincinnati2

stone of the great festival of music and OF
song drew all the same the delighted
crowds of listeners to the Hall.
Nor was the feast OF melody any less ex.
cellent or enjoyable than those that have
preceded it. The auditorium, as in the
bright preceding days, was rich parterre
of beautifully costumed ladies, fair as a
Mahometan's dream of Paradise. The
balcony was circlet that, surveyed through
an opera glass, seemed o garland Of portraits
in enamel
The stage that we have heretofore COM
pared to a huge pansy with its chiaro-
'scuro formed by the brightly costumed
female and more soberly clad male choris-
ters still charmed the eye when its match
less music faded into silence.
And what success was this great festi-
val in all its attributes Its music so in
comparaby grander and better than any OF
the festivals that have preceded it. The
drill of its chorus, the peri ction OF pains
taking completeness, and the crowd OF
aesthetic listeners, the representatives OF
all the musical culture of the Nation.
Whatever may be the fate Of the Col.
lege of Music in the future this we may
now feel assured OF, that in her May Festl-
yals with Mr.. Thomas at their head, the
fame of Cincinnati as a musical center IN
the United States shall shine undimmed
wherever real musical culture is enjoyed
or wherever musical people are gathered.
The music last night was as tine as on
any previous evening, if not the very best
of the Festival. 1t is not now necessary to
speak in detail of the work OF sOloists, or
chestra or chorus They have all won their
laurels, and the history of the Festival
which has been written from day to day is
the highest tribute that could be paid to
the ability, industry and patient care OF all
concerned in the great work.
At the close of the great beethoven.
Mass" Mr.. Thomas was rendered
compliment as fitting as its do
nors were sincere. After the last
strains had died away, two men entered
the right hand stage door bearing some.
thing covered with white linen. Being un-
vered it proved to be an elegantly carved
music stand-a tribute from the chorus to
Mr.. Thomas. Mr.. West, of the chorus,
stepped to the front and gracefully said:
Mr.. THOMAS: 1t is almost superhuo
to say that this testimonial from the Fes-
tival Chorus, which am requested to pre-
sent to you, is designed to again assure you
that we deeply appreciate your devotion to
the cause of pure music, as well as to ex
press our regret at your approaching de-
parture. Under your baton as never
elsewhere have we studied and
learned to love the great works o
those master spirits who even in theil
graves still rule music with an imperia
power, Still more, we have learned tt
honor Yourself personally as man, as ont
, Incapable OF intrigue, of answering fidel
: ity. of indefatigable labor, and of tina
!, rarest quality among men, fearless courage
Accept then, our best wishes. May YOU
absence be brief; may your return b
certain and speedy.
Mr., Thomas is usually remarkably quicl
, at reply, but for once in his'life his speecl
failed him. He looked confused but hap
py, and finally said: Il thank you. Fo
:, the noble support you have given me il
y this great work, and for this beautiful pres
: ent, with the kindly feeling it expresses,
= heartily thank YOU" This was said er
:. tirely to the chorus, without turning t
? the house.
a He then said he hoped the next Festive
. would prove as great success as this, an
. added. it had been discovered that capt
;, Bile man lived in Cincinnati who had tn
a ability to train them, and he took pleasul
= in introducing that gentleman, who WI
a Mr.. Michael Brand.
y Mr.. Thomas then stepped upon thestag
!, and taking the hand of Mr.. Brand. intr'
= duced him to the Chorus. Mr.. Bran
"a bowed, but made no remarks.
e THANKS TO THE CHORUS.
d Each member of the chorus was hande
l. a circular containing all address from Il
j. Festival Association. This address CO.
graduated the chorus in the great success
thanked each member for their faithf
g. and enthusiastic work, and contained
l. slip to be filed out and handed back
s. such as desired to re-enlist for the perm
le nent chorus. At intermission these sli
p were signed and returned by almost eve
~ member.
'e Accompanying the cicular mention'
D. above was an address from Mr.. Thomas
" ~ follows:
ie Ladies and Gentlemen of the Festival Chorus
;! 1850:
IL desire, in the first place, to return
=, you my hear felt thanks for your enthu
III astic support and heroic work in the pr
: ent Festival. can not speak in too nj
N le terms OF the result you have attained. VI
~ cinnati has right to be proud OF you.
a. The Festival Association has, in n
~ Judgment, wisely determined to put t
nc noble chorus upon permanent basis. II
,n is step in the direct line OF that healt
W progress which is the condition OF exi
nc ence. Indeed, consider this step ab
~ IL, lutely necessary to the perpetuation OF t
~ " Festivals. a.,
~ The Association has kindly invited
-. to assume the dictatorship of this chor
leI ' [ accept the position with pride.
ne Iexpect to superintend the organizatl
he and work of the chorus, and to visit e
IA IA cinnati at stated intervals during the W
1n ter, to hold rehearsals with You.
es In the fall We shall take up the princi
VI work for our next Festival, and during
IN, winter will givetw or three concerts, inc
'fy ding the "Messian" at Christmas, and pr
ably repeating one of the works of the pl
ent Festival.
III. 1t shall be my object to have none in
~ -; chorus who will not be willing 10 sub
,an ,n to proper discipline, and do good, hor
'em work in love for the cause. In this wa
oN hope that we shall have an organizati
in which the best singers in the city u
can unite in pleasant and profitable study.
II In recognition of the brilliant worl
the the chorns of 1870 T cordislly invite al