The Portland daily press., 1883-01-24
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
LrrrLEroN MUSICAL ASSOCIATION.

| conventions have become one of the most in
teresting and attractive institutions in the
"Old Granite Stute," and bring together the
very best elements of New Hampshire society
and culture, from the different towns, and il
certainly IS always a pleasure to US to give
credit where credit is due, as well as encour
sgement for all honest endeavors to excel il
anything pertaining to musical attachments, sc
to us upon our fifth annual attendance we car
bat express our satisfaction and delight upon
its complete success The following constituted
the list of performers: DR.. W. o. Perkins Of
Boston, director; Mrs. H. f. Knowles of Bos
ton, soprano; Miss Maud Hotchkiss of Boston
contralto; Mrs. M. d. Shepard of Boston, pi
anist and accompaDist; Mr.. Alfred De SIEVE OF
Boston, violin soloist: Mr.. Charles III. East
man of Manchester, flute and piccolo soloist'
the Schubert Club of Boston. consisting OF
VIM. Willis Clark. first TENOR L. 81. Club
buck, second tenor: A. B. Hitchcock, baritone
d. NJ. Babcock, basso; Eastmans Orchestra
of eight pieces, of Manchester; with chorus
of some one hundred and fifty made up from
| the best home talent from Littleton and other
towns in New Hampshire and Vermont, and
here let me say few words in regard to few
leading singers who help make up the chorus,
| and whose perseverance during the past has
| gained for them not only at home, but else
where reputation that any town or village in
New England may well feel proud of. Among
them we mention; first, Littleton's favorite
songstress, Miss Stella Burnham, whose rich
clear soprano voice comes to us like the SIX
very notes of the springs sweet warblers in
woodland groves, and whose melody finds
home in every music-loving heart. We must
here congratulate Miss Burnham upon the sue.
cess she has SO justly won, with the hope that
our Portland friends may ere long have an op-
portunity of hearing her sweet voice in some
grand anthem or song. Mrs. DIR. Rogers Of
Plymouth and Miss Hattie Qaimby of White
field are also fne singers Among the con-
traltos Mrs. Fred Chandler and Mrs DIR. Nc
Gregor OF LttletOn and Mrs Hazen of st.
Johnsbury. VT, have beautifully sweet voices
while the tenor was very well sustained by
Messrs Stevens, Bingham and Glover of Lit
Teton, A. +. Bean of ST. Johnsbury, VT,
Mr.. Alger Baldwin of Coos, N. H., and others
whose names we are not familiar With. OF the
bass we must place Messrs. Parker, Hartman
and Rix at the head. MIR. Hartman has
naturally deep, sweet voice, and under good
control. In short we note marked improve
ment in both tenor and bass, and indeed
great improvement of all parts in the chorus
over any convention we have had the pleasure
of attending in New Hampshire.
We congr .tulatetDr. Perkins in his success
in bringing out SO grand chorus among the
mountains. May its echoes coutiDue TO roll on
through long years to grander harmonies that
Shall awaken to even more inspiring life
here, and brighter and better one in the here
after. At THURSDAYS afternoon matinee that
grand oratorio by Provost was suug. Miss
Burnham's fine voice WAS delightful in the
solo of Heavenly Dwelling" full of beautiful
blending OF harmo, throughout. Mrs. Bur-
leigh of franklin lis sang sweet little song
Bless yonr litile heart" aud TO an encore,
mo Sir" Mrs. b. has a fine, flexible, sweet
voice under good con rol, and Sang in graceful
style. Mrs. Spaulding of West Chesterford,
Mass, formerly of Llttleion, also has a fine
voice, and sang with feeling. Mr. Sanboru of
FrahkliD FaI has fine baritone voice, and
sang "SleeplM ssLaiy 81, ep" with fine exl r s.
sion and feeling, and was heartily applaude6
The piano Duet by Mrs. Shepard and Mrs
Sherman was both grand aud inspiring, and
only added to the well-known reputation of
those ladies. The Watcher" by Mrs. Hazen
OF st. J0hnsbury, VT, was finely rendered in a
sweet, contrato voice and with animation.
Mr.. Bean of st. Johnsbury, sang Evening
star, and has rich tenor voice with fine ex-
preston. A tro-"The Mariner" Prof. Per-
kins, Mr.. Stevens and Mrs. Burleigb, was full
Of melody and feeling. "Those Gifis'' by Miss
Burnham, was rendered in her usual sweet
and charming style and added new laurels to
her musical reputation as one Uf the sweetest
singers in the "Old Granite State" This
piece was received with most hearty applause.
To our mind Miss 'Burnham in this, sang her
very best, and received most congratulatory
and hearty encore.
Friday afternoon.-"The Heavens are Tell
ing", in which Mrs. Knowles sweet and me-
lodious voice was above all in its
usual volume of harmony of sound and
tender feeling, which was supported by the
full chorus VITA grand effect. Mr.. Babcock's
deep, rich bass Was also brought into full vol
ume in this wonderfully fine oratario-"By
thee with bliss Mr.. Babcoek and Mrs.
Knowles in solo Duets. In this MIR. Babcock's
voice was heard in its immense power and
sweetness. Mr. Clark's tenor seemed TO US al
together too light and much better adapted to
the parlor than in large hall. Achieved is
the glorious work." Mr.. Babcock, rs Knowles
another feather to his fight.
Friday afternoons matinee opened by an
overture by Eastlnan's orchestra, which was
Anely given in both time and harmony. 'ID
Absence" Schubert Quartette. This piece
was beautifully solemn and sweet throughout,
and TO an encore they sang Little Jack Horn
er," which restored the audience once more to
their usual mirthfulness and glee Song,
Darby and JOAN" by Miss Maud Hotchklss
Cher first appearance in Littleton) who is rather
a petite little brunette, aud who has a remark
ably sweet, clear and strong contraltO voice,
and withal Of attractive style and manners.
We therefore predict for Miss Hotchkiss sue
cess in her musical career. To an encore she
Sang "My love has gone sailing" in a very
pleasing and animated style, which was enthu-
siasticaly received and applauded. "Grand
Concert Waltz" violin, by Prof. Alfred De
SIEVE was finely rendered, ana we must here
add our appre citation of his skill in drawing
the bow" and handling this delightful instru-
ment, and also added To his reputation as ole
of the finest violinists in the country. In ap-
pesrance he is decidedly more American than
Frruch. His playing WAS received with great
applause, and to an encore he played 1.-The
last rose of summer" most charmingly
aud brought out all the wealth aud sweetness
of this world renowned popular air, while the
silence gave force to his touchingly sweet
harmonies-a piano duet from martha" by
request by Mrs. Shepard and Mrs. Sherman.
We can add nothing more than we have al
ready written of the fine musical tastes and
execution of these ladies SO well known to
this as well as other communities This piece
was also grand and inspiring and brought out
all tn many rich tones of the different airs of
this glorious opera Ave Marie by Mrs.
Knowles accompanied by Prof. DeSeve on the
violin. This was most charmingly sweet and
gave opportunity for both to show their
musical talent, Mrs. Knowles voice, rioh and
birl-like warbling away in dreamy flight
captured the hearts of all. To an encore she
eaug "What lovely tones awake me, with
sweet and tender feeling, bringing out some IF
the fBest tones of her rich flexible voice. We
think this song one of Mrs. Knowles best
efforts, and added TO her many friends in this
section of New Hampshire Cornet solo by G.
W. Hardy was very fine and delightfully."- play
cd. "The Mariners home and sea" sung by
Mr.. Babcock in his usual deep, rolling ocean
voice, full of grandeur and melody, indeed in
tensely immense. Airs from Martha by Prof.
DsSeve we're full Of exquisite feeling and
harmony, and again delighted the audience.
This closed the afternoons entertainment.
OF the concert Thursday evening we can only
say that it was such as might be expected from
so many good musicians, Among the pieces
sung was song by Miss Hotchkiss "Methnks
do not love him. was beautifully sweet and
| gave her rich contralto voice high place in
| the hearts Of her listeners Quintette, Mrs.
| Knowles and the Schubert Club, was in
| splendid harmony and brillancy. "Remem-
| Der now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, -
| In which Babcock's rich deep bass was most
| heavenly in "Or ever the silver chord be
loosed," &c.
The grand closing concert on Friday evening
| was the crowning glory and delight Of the
| crowded hall. Prof. Deserves "Home Sweet
| Home" was rendered in most charming
style, while the stiffness of the audience was its
| highest praise. We have not time to give
| more Of the many fine pieces on the closing
| evening, but will add that this has been the
| most grand and brilliant musictl gathering we
| have ever attended in country town, and has
certainly added greatly to the success and repu-
| tation of "The Littleton Musical Association
| 10th al hou,a and abroad Waapaiu I'm