St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-06-13
THE MAY FESTIVAL.
A Successful Opening Concert Before
a Crowded House.

THE MAY FESTlVALs
A Successful Opening Concert Before
u Crowded House.
The opening concert of the third state
musical festival is well and safely over, and
the management has drawn a long breath OF
gratiied relief Nothing succeeds like sue
cess, and the magnificent music OF last
night will contribute more to the success OF
the remaining concerts than million
promises or a thousand IecltalS OF reputed
merit To-day the concert OF last night
will be on every tongue, and as II cannot De
mentioned but in praise, the whole city VIII
ring with its beauties and merits. tie who
was not there last night will not mention it
to-day, but will hurriedly make amends by
attending to-day.
THE FESTIVAL HALL,
for such was the Croker rink, metamor-
phOsed admirably answered the purpose to
which it was put, but never did 1t present
such picture as last night. The east end
was converted into an immense stage, half
of which was platform, with the remainder
rising to the roof as an amphitheatre OF
seats. On the platform was the superb
orchestra of fifty-siX pieces, while the Phil
harmonic chorus occupied the rising seats.
great director, appeared and took up his
baton and, when the lavish applause had
died away, the concert began.
At this time the auditorium was nearly
filled, and with such an audience as even
Minneapolis seldom sees. 1t was a gather
ing that fifty and fairly represented the cul-
ture and intelligence of the city. AS fully
One-third of the ladies and gentlemen APP
peared in full opera costume. and the en-
tire chorus in bright colorS, the effect was
beautiful The universal and perpetual
motion of fans gave a bright. butterfly
effect as novel as pleasing. 1t seemed, like
wise, an appreciative audience, detecting
the finer points with ready skill and gener-
ouSly applauding them.
THE EVENINGS MUSIC.
The program was most happily arranged
and was composed of admirable selections.
The execution of each and every number
was deserving of especial encOmiums. The
grand Thomas orchestra never played better
in this city, which is saying much. Each
instrument was manipulated with such
perfect precision that the effect was extra
ordinary. It was like one instrument,
yet embodying the distinctive features
and rhapsodical melodies of all
the instruments. It held the vast audience
in transports, and the enthusiastic reception
accorded every separate number was some
thing wonderful, considering the almost
unbearable heat the people were obliged to
suffer. The acoustic properties OF the the
alter are to open criticism. In some pOr-
tons of the auditorium the effect
of the coloring and the shading was
distinct and perfect, while III
others it was quite the reverse. COnse-
- ici, hot %
ions of the critics in attendance were divers,
as they certainly were. One of the pecu-
liarities of the program was the absence of
q contralto voice. The vOcalists were Nine.
Fursch- Madi and Miss Emma Juch, sopranos
William J. Winch, tenor, and Max Helm
rich. basso. They are all new to Mime
apolis audience, but they were warmly
greeted, as well they should be. Nine.
Fursch-Madi was a veritable surprise. She
possesses a magnificent voice. strong,
clear and perfect. Her aria from
Freischutz. by Weber, the scena
and prayer, was beautiful, almost beyond
appreciation of even the most cultivated
and most critically tutored. AS the last
notes Of her lovely voice died away in an
incomparably sweet cadence the applause
was tremendous, and assumed the
form and magnitude of an ovation,
but she only graciously bowed her
acknowledgment of the intended compli-
ment and testimony of appreciation, refuS-
ing to sing encore. Miss Juch possesses a
rare voice, of lovely quality. She sang in
the Creation" with the basso and was most
heartily applauded. Her soprano is pure,
her execution fine and the quality
of tones beautiful The first
to receive recall was the splendid tenor,
md no ful1 oT-
plause given him. It is no exaggeration to
accord him high rank in the art and to say
that he is young tenor of almost
Unreasonable promise. His Selec-
ton from ,'Poleyencte," one OF
Gounod's best, with harp accompaniment,
was one Of the features of the evening. In
closing, a word in praise of the well-trained
chorus should not be omitted. II
is not too much to say that the
voices did justice to the tutor,
David Blakely, who has welded the
baton for them through all the preparatory
rehearsals. The chorus comprises all the
leading church choirs and the musical or
CARNATIONS, glee clubs, etc., of the city.
and the blending and shading was admira
BILE in a high degree.
FESTIVAL NOTES.
Madame Fursch-Madi ''broke the house
all up'' at first view. She is large-al
great singers are-but she is not unwieldy
and her face is bright and expressive. He
toilet was marvel of beauty. 1t was Of
cream satin and brocade, made with elbow
sleeves, square neck and full train. The
front Of the skirt was of satin, mos
deliberately embroidered, and ended at the
bottom with a deep tlOunce of rare lace
Tan gloves met the sleeves, and diamond
bracelets cleaned over them, the same
precious Jewels sparkling in her hair and OF
her bosom. A small sscorSage bouquet com
pleted her costume. When she seized the
director and brought him with her to bow
Acknowledgements, her triumph was com
plete.
Miss Juch. from the stage, appeared as
handsome blonde, the complexion, ligh
yellow hair and blue eyes bespeaking the
German. She wore pink satin Ell traine
with straight skirt, ending in rose ruff1e
The pointed waist was extremely, but no
immodestly. decollete, and the arms Were
bare to the shoulders. Diamonds spanked
in her bosom and hair and depended from
her shapely ears. Altogether she was {
lovely and pleasing figure. Not the least
attractive grace was her mOdeSty and per
feet freedom from anything like affectation
It had been announced that during any
number no person would be allowed to g
In or out 1t would have been well haC
this rule been adhered to. AS it was, there
was constant noise at the entrance during
the opening symphony.
The orchestra held reunion with some
of the members of the DAM orchestra. al
Paul's place, after the concert. It was Z
repetition of the affair which occurred al
the same place during the June festival Of
last year.
Mr.. Heinrich has a voice which is so deem
and melodious that it really seems, as one