Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1884-06-06


manner allied to the highest artistic
gifts. Her condescension in singing
the "Sewanee River" without accompani.
ment will never be forgotten. 1t was
beautiful tribute that everyone appreci-
ated. Few other artists of her standing
would have attempted it. We doubt ii
any other could trust herself to do it. The
first verse she sang as spontaneous trib.
ute 10 the very friendly reception accorded
her, and the second followed upon very
storm of applause that nothing else could
still.
The impression made by the artists, the
orchestra and the chorus at this second
Music Festival is one Of Oriental richness
OF color, ten pered by every shade of
poetic feeling from the sensuous ''Beauti-
full Blue Danube" and the idyllic Md
summer Nights Dream, to the tragie pathos
of the Hulsure. Like the figures IN a
Persian rug, these c5lors areas we first try
to recall them, confusing. A little per-
sistence in any one line of thought, how
ever, enables US to thread the maze and
resolve a particular number. More than
that, we are able to Appreciate the mas
terly ability which grouped SO many
excelling things together, and to lead
the artists. the chorus and the orchestra
to the triumphant vindication Ell the
selections as illustrations not merely Of
their capacity, but of the hight 10 which
the musical art has advanced within The
past few years. To Mr.. Thomas, our sne-
cial, particular acknowledgements, then,
are due for this greatest of musical tri-
omphs in the history of Memphis. His
was the tact and taste, his the discrimina-
ton that made this programmes what they
were, and his the ability to lead and guide
the executants to the most splendid
achievements possible.
Now that the Concerts are over we can
measure the weight OF the public's obliga-
ton to the Mozart Society for this second
Music Festival. We can see that it was
the means of bringing great many people
to the city and thus making an opportu-
nifty for them to know it for what it is. 1t
was the means of presenting Memphis
under the best circumstances as having
progressive and enlightened population, a
population that, while it is alert as to trade
and commerce and manufactures and all
material things, is given to something like
study of those other things which tend to
enhance our civilization, to elevate peo-
pies and strengthen them mentally as well
as morally. The Festival had this effect
upon cur VISITORS. Upon ourselves it had
tie effect of increasing our sense of the
necessity for self-development and the in
crease ofthe sum of our knowledge. We
are by that much better prepared for the
next Festival and feel nov the positive
need of snca enterprises to help in the
general purpose Of extending the cit ty until
1t becomes and is recognized to be
a really great metropolis. We see
now that with tact, discretion and the
expenditure of great deal OF energy
We can venture upon as large things in
the way of music festivals as any city in
the Union, and that we have put ourselves
under obligations 10 the people of the
urroundirg country to give one every
year. Without their aid we could not
have succeeded, without their apprecia-
tion-and that it is admitted was very
marked-the Festival would have been
shorn of a great deal of the eclat that
characterized and much OF the charm that
possessed it. They have shown their
willingness twice to sustain us, and 50
have encouraged us to believe that they
are as ripe for a repetition Of the venture
as We are desirous OF repeating it. They
are satisfied that the second Fes-
tival could hot be bettered, that
1t will be impossible ever to surpass
the great artists, who, with tire Thomas
orchestra and the Mozart chorus, made it
what it was, "a a remarkable success. But
they know it is possible to bring these
same artists here again and to make up pro-
grammes quite as good from every point
OF view, programmes with as much
OF educational value and as
much of positive delight for the
most appreciatise lovers Of music.
Less than that they will not have Their
lips have pressed the golden fruit of the
Hesperides and will have nothing less.
We are committed to annual music festi-
walls and to tie best procurable artists to
interpret the best possible programmes.
This for the great public. To ourselves We
stand committed for college OF music
with grand music hall, equipped with a
great organ and grand piano. And this
/ We must have. And we ought to hlye it
before next June. When We recall the
very large sums we used cheerfuily TO
| subscribe for Msrdi Gras celebrations of
ephemeral though, for the time, surpassing
! interest, which lasted but few hours, it
| ought not to be difficult to secure the
I money needed to put up amusic hall where
/ the Exposition building stands, a solid,
handsome, we'll Reconstructed structure that
will last for many years and be standing
| advertisement of the noble purpose the
Mozart Society has in view of making
Memphis the music center of the lower
valley of the Mississippi. This is what
the Music Festival of this and last year
means if they mean anything grand
music hall, college OF music and annual
| music festivals.