Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1883-08-17
THE PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY.
Its Coming Festival, and Prospects for
the season.


The Philharmonic Society has prospered
ever since its formation, each season dis
playing more vitality and enterprise, and i'm
planting itself more firmly in the regard and
sympathy of our people. 1t has now become
(one of the most successful and useful of oui
local organizations. 1t has raised the stand
ard of music Ia the community 1t has cul
tivated the musical taste of our people, and
brought out great deal of local talent which
would otherwise have remained unrecogniz
ed; and-most important of all its benefits
1t has brought into Burlington, place sadly
| deficient in musical interest, some OF the finest
vocal and instrumental talent OF the country,
| thus Weakening a taste for the art and afford.
| ing opportunities for its enjoyment at q
minimum expense. The society is an or
ganza,ion which, in view of the benefits
1t has conferred on the community, is as
worthy of the heartiest support as any or.
ganizaton in this city-wc had almost said
| 1t is the most worthy. Certainly, it has done
a work of which our citizens ought to be
proud, for il has taken the crude and a,
| first, unsympathetic material OF a community
| which never paid much attention TO musical
culture, and fashioned from 1t an organiZa-
ton second in musical proficiency to none in
the State And Burlington, which aims to
DC first in all things surely ought not To-
he unmindful of this work, or ungrateiul
for it,
The society proposes, during the coming
season, to do even better things Tor our
people than it has done heretofore 1t has
fairly established itself, has got upon good
financial footing, has learned by experience
how to do things, and now stands ready to
attempt still more successful aud energetic
work. The annual festival OF the society
will be bigger thing this year than ever be-
tore. 1t is to take place Oct. 0, ~, II aud
~, and will be conducted, as last year, by
Carl Zerrahn. The programme to be rendered
is an ambitious and attractive one, VIZ: KOS
sins wel-known "Stabat Mater" aud Sulli-
vans fine oratorio "Prodigal Son" Tor the
principal works, and miscellaneous selections
lrom Gouuods oratoiiu of Redemption,
with choruscs, solos, duets, ETC., by home
and foreign talent. The following famous
singers aud musicians are engaged for the
festival Miss Fanny Kellogg, tine brilliant
and well-known opera and oratorio singer,
soprano; Miss Ita WEIGH, the popular ora
torio-conralto singer contralto; MIR. Want
Of Boston, tenor; Mr. d. NJ. BabcOck, bas-
so. The pianist will be Burliugton's favor
chestra the famous Beethoven Club OF Bos-
ton, G. N. Allen leader. The above is IL bril-
liant galaxy of musical talent, anu ought to
ensure the complete success of the festival
The artists are expected, this year, to stay
through the entire festival, SO that holders OF
season tickets will have the benefit of hear
ing them every evening. The festival, of
course, will be held in the Howard Opera
House and will be a very brilliant affair.
The chorus-numhering about 15O-will be-
gin practice early in September, and it is ex-
pecled that the Philharmonic societies Of
Plaltsburgh and Kcesevlle will begin work
at the same time, and join with the Burling-
ton society in rendering the festival music.
Besides these societies delegations will be
present from many places in the State, aud
the chorus will be the largest ever heard In
Burlington. Mr.. N. ii. Thompson will con-
duct the local rehearsals, and 1t Is desirable
that all singers who expect to take part
should be present when work is begun, the
first week in September. We bespeak for
the society the good will and hearty CO.
operation of our citizens in this important
work which they have undertaken, and hoI Q
that the festival will be as great a success
financially as it is sure to be unsteady.