The Dallas weekly herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1885, 1883-05-17
Pail Description OF the Beautiful
Temple Of Song.
The Brilliant Torchlight Procession e.
Some Historical Data.
tray Notes aud Pertinent Pointers

and privilege U! entertaining the louf-
teeuth biennial session of the Texas Srn.
gertest. The occasion, fraught with so
much moment, the HERALD is rejoiced 10
note. has b-eu faiy appreciated by our
residents. Nothing has been left undone
that should have been done that would
tend to the comfort and pleasure OF guests.
Every provision, within the confines OF
reason has been provided for the enter
alnment of those who have extended the
announcement OF their presence, and they
are almost num0efIess even at
this very date. Inc, smngeriest
Ia an association of singers, who, through a
love of the art, assemble to worship at the
shrine of Euterpe. The term S9ngerfest,
i'm A literal sense, is defined as a quartette
of our male voices. Its Introduction into
America and It's subsequent departure,
from its accustomed guidance, is due, to
great extent, TO uniavorable and emoarrass-
ing circumstances. Just at the solourn OF
the Napoleonic ides and when political
throughout Europe, it was deemed
polite. in order to divert the clamor for
political freedom, TO form associations Tor
thu culture of music. The desired effect
resulted beyond expectation. The history
is a long one, but the object turned out
fayorably. Then it was that u new impetus
was given to the cultivation of vocal and
instrumental! music, and it was nurtured by
all the governments of Europe and
especially so by Germany. During
the famine succeeding the year 1910, 1T was
consider ed mete by the dynasty of Ger
many and adjacent soil, that the. middle
classes should be transported to America.
This quasi edict applied with especial force
to the German empire. Those kindly dis
To ha u
ported with money ard influence.
And thus it was that large mum
hers landed upon the shores
OF Texas under the protection of Prince
Solms Braunsfeis. Many hardships, It is
true, were suffered and the colony was fear
fully decimated through sickness. a sum
cient number, however, were spared, with
the stored songs OF the tatherland still
mouldering in their breast, to hold the first
Sgneerfest ia New Braunsiels in 1857, 1t
WIS voted to hold them BIZ
ennially,' and this regulation was ad,,
hered to up to the commencement. OF
OF our civil strife. During the internecine
disagreement, and for several years ait Yer
ward, Sengerfest was abandoned. In 1853
the old impulses found an audience in the
German breast of Texas and another state
convention was called 10 meet at New
Braunsfels. Since that date the meetings
have been regularly held every two years,
the fourteenth of which Dallas has the
pleasure this week OF entertaining: The
courtesy was wisely conferred and is fully
appreciated. Dallas is famous for her hos
pitslity and never acquitted herself to bet
ter advantage than on the present occasion.
THE BUILDING.
The hall, situated at the intersection of
Lamar and Jackson streets, is structure
upon which visitors lavish many encoml-
inns. and ii is certainly deserving OF the
hpCtnwan
a brick building, two hundred feet square,
and was erected at q cost of $50, 600. 1t is
com pleted in the n est improved style, and
ia of a modern pattern. The roof is Of cor
rugateu iron, in curvature form,
with a lofty, turret over
the main entrance. The dimensions oil the
m ain hall are 1876 by 200 feet, and its seating
canacity will commodate seven thousand
persons The seats are elevated one above
another and are so constructed that per-
feet view of the hall is open to every occu-
papt. The stage is also elevated, and pre-
sents the singers in bold review. In fact,
every appointment is admirably conceived
and thoroughly completed. The man nail
lie well ventilated and will afford but
little complaint on the score of heat. Seven
electric lights and about 200 gas tets will
furnish the needed illuminations during
the evening entertainments.
DECORATIONS.
The decorations are the hnest ever at
TEMPTED in the state, reference to which
has been made in former issue Oh tue
UFRALp. Just over the main entrance TO
the hall are noticed the colors OF America
and Germany, each thirty feet IN dimensions
and 40 entwined ss to form vase. The
vase is surmounted by the word wei
come - worked in garlands ofrainoow hues,
with which it is intended to overflow A
large harp constructed oil Drllllants ana
4. Al. IL faaNFN
arms of every nationality, in the form OF
shields, adorn the massive pillars oil the
hall. and present a pretty and imposing
anedacle. Just over thestage float the nags
OF every nation. with harps OF garlands
and brillian's underneath ana In
the center. Flower cornices are conspicuous
on the sides, and are so arranged as 10 pro-
dTfoe charming effect. From the center
of the building. beneath the roof, eleven
: ,,g,,,,e.y OF Ear,ands stretch forth In every
d ir.otion ana add much TO the beauty OF
the surroundings. The WINDOWS are
Al AIDED with lambrequins and afford a soil
thaugh perfectly distinct light. On the
northern and southern wall the portraits
OF such famed musical authors as haehuei'
Wagner, Meyerbeer, Verdi. Rossini, Schu-
bert Bach and Mozart are prominent.
n 10 large vases OF flowers ornament each |
extremity OF the stage and are lovely 10 APP
Over the side entrances ere
a merioan and German flags entwined to-
eether. Much taste and an enormous
smount tf tact Is displayed In the decora-
sions The view Is charming and highly |
oreditable 70 the decorator. The outside OF
The building, too, presents a magnificent
.nnserancr. Thirty-two flags, represent
i,,e the different Itates, grace 80 many tur-
res. chief among Which grandly floats the
colOrs Of America, supported on either
side BY those Of Germany.
THE torch LIGHT PROCESSION.
Last night the opening festivities OF the
ssngerfest began with a grand process
Not less than one Thousand torches were
n the procession, and the brass baE1s, one
4 The head Of q division, made the sweofeft
MARSHAL music. A numaer OF The memotfs
non and il extends in length over three
blocks. Colonel Henry Ervay
rss chief marshal with some
40 A dozen assistants. The procession
Tormed at the sHngeriest building and
marched up Lamar street 70 Commerce,
hence 20 Austin and thence 20 the TN
Imnbsi array ct the intersection Of Main
,nlsr the srch. The streets along the line
n march we're ell brilliantly lighted with
"a lets. chinese Lanterns and the burning
Il t,l1e and red lights here and there. All
,Ioog the line Of The procession as y moved
'ockets and roman candles we're sbot on
nskine 4 magnificent display. Asa whole
he torch light procession vas msgnibcent
Iisplsy, end may Desutiful trnnspareDcies
1rplsred apprOpriate mottoes-
sEsGrErEsI EOIEs-
DeIerrtes from the singing s0cieties y
!, usfin' Gaivesson. san Anionio, Waco and
fredericksburg arrived resteroay.
Fjve thoussnd reserved SE1Eertest seat
eve been soid b. NJ. N0ninger-
The eneiue- house hes been tastefully
Iscornied. and l. quite Attractive 10 tts
sudy aftirs.
O.sirs have been plsced In The - 1rsriesi
Iullding 10 sccommodate tne sr-ai lnn1A
( tisIiors