Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1883-10-12
THE MUSICAL festival.
A uspicious Opcning-Mr. Zerrahn and
the singers ali In Good Spirits-Pros-
pect Of n highly Successful COnvcn-

AuspiciOus Opcning-Mr. Zerrahn ana
tho singers all In Good Spirits-Pros-
pect OF n highly Successful Convcn
tion.
The third Musical Convention and Festi-
val Of the Philharmonic Society opened with
every assurance of high success. The opcL-
ing rehcarsals Monday, showed number
more of singers in attendance than at the
previous Festivals. The increase in
numbers of course gives marked in
crease OF power In the chorus
The bass especially is noticeablv stronger in
numbers and volume, giving full and strong
foundation for the music and all the parts
are more numerously represented than here
tofore. Mr.. Zerrahn, who drills them with his
customary energy, skill and humor, express.
es himself as much gratifed by the quality
OF the material OF the convention, and by the
evidence Of careful preliminary drill exhibit
cd by them. He declared yesterday that they
took up tie music OF the Prodigal Son as
well as his Boston chorus did at the start,
and that they were going to give
the public, by far tho best festival thus far
held here. At the rehearsal last evening, he
exclaimed "ercellentissimo" at the close of
the splendid chorus from Gounod's IRE
dcmption"-w was given grandly.
The First Concert
of the festival, drew to the Opera House,
Wednesday, an excellent audience, consider
ing that it was the opening entertainment
aud that the best was yet to come. 1t was
announced to open at half past seven, but at
that hour Mr.. Zerrahn was obliged to ask
the indulgence of the audle nee, as the Bos-
ton train which brought the solo singers was
late, and 1t would be few minutes
before they could appear. At 1850 the
concert opened with the familiar
chorus "To Thee o Country"-which by the
way, though very fine thing will perhaps
be In danger OF becoming little too familiar,
II it should be repeated many times more on
these occasions. 1t was given with admirable
swing and spirit and never sounded better.
Succeeding numbers on the programme, IN
troduced the solo singers, who all did excel
lently well considering that they had had no
rest after long days railroad ride. Miss
Welsh had cordial greeting and
she was called back, after her ''short aud
sweet" song my Love is Come" by cordial
applause. Mr.. Babcock was In full voice,
and his song 1.-THE Trout" was heartily ap-
plauded. Mr.. Want has o rery sweet, fine
grained and pleasant voice, enunciates with
remarkable distincness, and made in all re-
spects most favorable impression. His song
The Wanderer' was so persis.ent.y encored
that he was forced to sing again. and sang
in response little song 80 the Folks Say"
The bass and tenor duet, was applauded in
like manner, till Mr.. Want and Mr.. |
Babcock reappeared and repeated the
last stanzs. Miss butcher OF St. |
Adams sang a rather sombre song
of the Fall of the Leaves, very pleasant |
ly. Mrs. Shepards piano solo was one OF
the most taking things she has ever played |
here and she was admirable, as usual, In |
her accomplishments. OF the chorus pieces |
the Peasants Wedding March" especially |
the audience. The anthem "Send |
out thy Light" by Gonnod was excellent
and the chorus LEAD Kindly Light" partc- |
ularly good as regarded shading and express |
sion. The concert closed with the sweet and |
tender Gounod "sanctus;" Mr.. Want taking |
the solo. |