Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-06-23
MEL0DIOUs MARANoCOOK.
A Great Event in the Musical History
of Maine.
Half an Acre Of Harmony.
One Thousand Voices in One Grand
Chorus.


/ : Lake
Maranocook. Many remained behind who
had purchased tickets, as the crowd was 50
great that they could not obtain foothold IN
the platform, to say nothing of comfortable
| seat. The train arrived at the v-nve n,
1870 o'clock. Special trains from all over
Maine had brought their quota of human
freight, and at noon over lO.w,0 people were
In attendance. The day was superb. albeit a
little chilly. A breeze ruffied the lake. wb;rh
was covered with skiffs and gaiy-decorated
steamers. The grove has been greatly I'M
proved In many ways since last year. and is
now one of the loveliest spots in New Eng
land.
The grand concert opened az 80 p. NJ,
anu closed at .. There were two and one.
half hours Of harmony, such as probably
the forest glades have not heard since the
days of the Muses.. Director Torrens wave d
his baton at the appointed hour, and the
| ton Of the thousands
| Mr.. TOrrens is good director, unassum-
ing and self-pOssessed. The Germania Orches
ira greatly contributed to the success of the
o ;cason. There were twentv-six pieces
pre- sent, and the combined orchestral and
choral effect was grand nlthe extreme. The
orchestration was superb. and considering
the poverty CT the time for rehearsal, every
body surprised at the unsion of the
unique assemblage. The orchestra consisted
o. violiEs, violas, 2 cellos, = bassos,
| flute, clarnets, bassoons, | oboe, , horns
2 cornets and trombone. Carl Eichler, the
director, acquitted himself admirably
Mrs. Knowles, the soprano, is stout, and
ra her handsome woman, with good voice.
She sang well, notwithstanding the trying
| C ,mpetion of the whistling wind and Novem-
Der air.
The giant chorus of about eight hundred
| ladies and gentlemen from eighteen cities
| and towns in Maine. contained some of the
best and most highly cultured voices in the
| State. Some of Names leading church
singers and soloists were among them.
| ! 10 singers went from Lewiston and Auburn
There was also good singers from Portland,
4
Damariscotta, Thomaston. Skowhegan, Far :
mngton, Ellsworth. Bucksport, Bowdoin-
ham, Brunswick, Fairfield, Dexter and Ban
gor. Arrived on the grounds, the local dis
tinctions were abolished. All the sopranos
were grouped together, and all the contraltos,
bases, tenors, etc. The local choruses lost
their identity, and the local directors all sur
rendered to Mr.. Torrens
The following is the
PROGRAMME.
PARTI.
/. "Gloria," from Twelfth Mass Mozart
Full Chorus Organ and Orchestra.
2 Observation-Disclosures Wagner.
Grand Orchestra.
g. Chorus-"Thanks be to God Elijah
Mendeissohn
Full Chorus Organ and Orchestra.
L. Observation-Disclosures Mater" Rossiai
Mrs. II. +. Knowles. with full Chorus, Organ and
Orchestra.
8. Watz-"GIossen." Johann Strauss
6. "Star Spanged Banner Key.
Organ and Orchestra.
:. Allegretto from sth symphony, Beethoren
l. Scene from II Trovatore-"Anvil Chorus
Full Chorus, Organ and Orchestra,-Anvil accom-
paniments by young ladies from different parts of
the state.
. "Thc Priests March from Alfalfa"
Grand Orchestra.
g. Tenor Solo and chorus -"San"tus,' GounOd
Solo by corps of Tenors.
T. Dreikaiser Entrevue (the interview of the three
Emperors.l Fdhrbdch.
Orchestra.
D. Chorus-"Damascus," Grand Trumphal march
from the Oratorio OF Naaman) Costa.
G. Finale from Lucia di I.ammermoor.' Doni=etti.
= Hallelujah Chorus-"Messiah,' Handel.
Grand Chorus, Organ and Orchestra
For an opening piece, no better selection
could have been chosen that the well-known
Gloria from the 18th Mass. 1t is piece
full of all the fire and mettle that large
chorus organ and orchestra together can
bring out, and it is just the kind that takes
with a crowd. One of the grandest pieces
that the chorus attempted was the "Thanks
be to God" from Memberships great Ora
torio elijah" The chorus was taken from
that part of the work where the Prophet has
been praying for rain. HIS messenger, who
has several times been sent on the mountain
TO report indications. at last brings down the
ylad tidings of the approaching storm cloud.
| Then the host raises glorious, united shout
of thanks to God There are difficult pas
saces in the chorus. but as result of
| thorough drill it was rendered very smoothly
The "Infammatus," from Stadaf Mater,
| is like all Rossini's compositions-dramati
1t abounds in opportunities for the human
voice to attitudinize, and Mrs. Knowles gave
fine exhibition of her voice In the lofty pas
sages. and was well supported by the chorus
and orchestra.
| The sStar Spangled Banner was per
formed according to the great Peace JUDI &c
arrangement. The tenors and basses. ana
the sopranos and altos alternated IN SINGING
/ half verse, and Mrs. Knowles had the thitd
verse as a solo The arrangement made the
song quite trying for chorus, but they gave
! il rousing rendition.
The forty pretty young ladies, who per
formed the anvil chorus with ribboned sieuse
hammers, made the Scene from ~ 7rorafore
! interesting There was good part ior Tue !,
orchestra, too, in this piece. 1t was received
with hearty applause.
The chorus from Costa's Oratorio was very
martial. The movement started with rep
rcsentation of the soldiers of Naaman return
ing from victory with triumphant shouts Dv
the robust t, nors and basses. Then the 'er
male voices came in on maidens chorus vi
welcome. All joined in triumphant STRAIN,
..Uail Naaman.' etc. near the close. IL was
| a very nice selection.