The Portland daily press., 1881-06-23
MARANACOOK.
Yesterdays Musical Festival a
Success.
5000 PEOPLE PRESENT, AND 800
VOICES IN THE CHORUS.
ISnecial Despatch.1

lOptCldl DcspaeSh'J
WINTHROP, June 22-The musical festival
at Lake Maranacook to-day was successful be-
yond the most sanguine expectations. The
number of people in attendance was estimated
at eight thousand by good judges, and some
were inclined to place the number as high as
ten. The chorus numbered about eight hun
dred, and the orchestra numbered twenty-six
pieces.
The train from Portland was made up of ff-
teen cars drawn by two locomotives, and was
in charge of conductor Philbrook. 1t was not
heavily loaded. That from Bath, which con-
meets with the Knox & Lincoln, was in charge
of conductors Cahill and Abbott, and brought
sixteen hundred people. There was very
heavy train from Auburn and Lewiston in care
of conductors Judkins and Healy. Also one
from Bangor in the hands of conductors Ander-
son and Whitney; and one from Pennington
in charge of Mr.. Knapp, and another from
Waterville, Messrs. Chandler and Smith, con-
ductors. Then a large number came to the
scene by their own private conveyances.
The chorus from Portland, trained by Mr..
W. L. Fitch, was not so large as some OF the
others, but was in excellent condition. The
delegation from Lewiston was probably the
largest. 1t was led by Mr.. B. F. Wood; that
from Rockland by Mr.. White; Belfast, Mr..
Chase; Hallowell, DR.. J. @. A. Halves; Wa
terville, Mr.. Philbrook Damariscotta, Mr..
George B. Blake; Thomaston, Mr.. Harvey
Counce; Skowhegan, Mr.. Smiley; Farming
ton, Mr.. Fl. Kimball; Ellsworth, Mr.. j. Elmer.
son; Bucksport, Mr.. j. 81. Whitmore; Bow
doinham, Mr.. Whittemore; Fairfield, Mr..
Chase; Dexter, Mr. Bingham; Bangor, M. l..
A. Torrens. A rehearsal was had at II O'Clock
a. m. The singers we're seated in semi-circle
of raised seats, sheltered with canvass roof. the
orchestra in the front and center. The soprani
were on the extreme right, then the tenors;
next the BASES and the alto on the left.
Among the crowd were Gov. Plaisted, Adju-
tant General Beal, and other prominent public
men, not forgetting editors Tenney of the
Brunswick Telegraph; Morrill, of the Gardiner
Home Journal; nor Mayo of the Somerset Re-
porter, whilom of the Press.
City Marshal Bridges, Deputy Crowell and
six police officers from Portland and officers
from the Bangor, Lewiston and Auburn force
were present to look after good order, but their
services seemed to be entirely unnecessary
There did not seem to be an approach to disor-
der throughout the day.
At half-past 2 the concert began. 1t should
have commenced an hour earlier. The pro-
gramme was as follows:
PART L.
Gloria from 18th Mass ................. j.. Mozart
Full chorus, organ and orchestra.
Overture 'Tannhauser''. .................. Wagner
Grand orchestra.
Thanks be to God (Elijah). .Mendelss ohm
Chorus, organ and orchestra.
Infiammstus from "Stabat Mater. .Rossini
Mrs. H. f. Knowles.
With full chorus, organ and orchestra.
Orchestra.
Star Spangled Banner. Key
Chorus, organ and orchestra.
With solo in Sd verse by Mis-. Knowles.
Allegretto from the 9Th Symphony. -. Beethoven
Orchestra.
PART II.
Scene from ''n Trovatore," Anvil Chorus. Verdi
Full chorus, organ and orchestra.
paras q s SSen state
Priests March from Alfalfa .Mendelssohn
Orchestra.
Tenor solo and chorus, "Sanctus" ....... Gounod
Solo by corps Of tenOrs.
Dreikaiser Entrevue Interview of the three
Hmper0fS orchestra 'fahroach
Chorus "Damascus'' Grand triumphal march
from the Oratorio Of Naaman). ....... COSTA
Tludl6 lTOm LUCIA I'll ldIuIu0TmOOr .DOulZ6ILl
Hallelujah chorus from Messiah. 81 Handel
Grand chorus, organ and orchestra.
The monster concert, in most particulars,
was really fine affair. The solos were given
in excellent time and in good method. The
orchestra was rather weak when pitted against
some 800 voices, but in its selections it was, OF
course, exceedingly fine. The Star Spangled
Ranper was given with telling effect. and the
Anvil chorus was very fine. Mrs. H. F.
Knowles, of Boston, the leading soprano, has a
pleasing and powerful voice and made most
favorable impression upon all. In the Infam-
matus from Stabat Mater she attained high G
with the utmost ease. Ali the vocalists are
certainly to be congratulated most heartily
upon the general success of their efforts. The
faults were SO minor as to be hardly observa-
BILE even in that vast chorus which had come
together as whole for the first time.
The best effect of the music was upon the
water, and very many enjoyed it from that
point in the little steamer and other craft that
were fitting about the lake. The chorus was
so powerful that it could be distinctly heard a
long distance.
The unexpected dimensions of the audience
was a source of no little annoyance to many
who had not followed the English idea of tax
ing along hamper. There were scores of
people who were unable to obtain anything to
eat throughout the day. Another source Of
vexation was the delay of trains, perhaps una
vodable.
Superintendent Tucker was present with a
large force of Maine Central employees to look
after the wants and comforts of their patrons
and to extend courteous information as to the
movement of trains, SC.
The festival, to a very considerable extent.
was an experiment, as it is the first in this part
of the country at least, and Superintendent
Tucker and all interested are deserving of the
highest praise for its general success,