Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1885-01-22
A MUSICAL ENTERPRISE.

Arrangements for Grand Opera festivai
I'm Chicago, Under the Directorship Of
Energetic and Philosophical Citizens
Tho Distinguished and Talented Artists
Engaged Other Attractions.
CHICAGO, Jan. 15.-In answer TO very
general demand for grand opera at popular
prices, and with view at the same time OF
producing the inspired works OF the mas
tiers with greater perfection and grandeur
than has heretofore obtained in our coun-
try, the Opera Festival Association of Chi
cago has been enllsting in its Board OF Di-
rectOrs many of our most energetic ana
philosophical citizens They have ar
ranged to have the Exposition Building for
the first festival, which Will be on April
Easter Monday, and last two weeks. An
auditorium with seating capacity OF eight
thousand will be. erected, large stage and
handsomely decorated procenium built
The room will be heated and comfortable
seats furnished; grand promenade and
salon for refreshment and social intercourse
between acts will be elegantly fitted up, and
ladies and gents dressing-rooms prepared,
so that the charm of elaborate toilets
may be INDUCED In by the fair sex.
The association has contracted with Col
Ollcl u. IL MdDlCSOH ulo tillilC NAOhI'Vt
which will not only include Patti Scalchi,
Nevada, Cardinelli, the famous tenor, and
the great baritone, DeAna, Serbolini, the
famous basso, but also, by special con-
tract, Nine. Fursh-Madi and the celebrated
tenor, Gianini. Nine. Patti will emphasize
the event by making her last appearance
before our people prior to her final de-
parture for Europe, and will signallZe her
farewell with her first appearance as
Elsa in Wagner's favorite work, "Lohen-
grim" A feature of the festival will be the
grand local chorus of two hundred fresh
voices, already drilling under MIR. Pratt 5
direction, in addition to the sixty now
in the troupe. The orchestra will also
be increased to 100 musicians, under Signor
Arditi's direction, and all the stage auxllla-
ries will be upon a proportlonate scale. Inc
repertory will comprise Lohengrln,
Faust" aida" 'L'Afrlcalne," "llugue-
nots," Martha" "Semlramide," "TPuri.
tani," I'll TrovatOre," der Freschutz,
"Traviata" and ''Alrella" for the novelty,
thus embracing works from the German,
Italian and French schools. The prices VIII
be the same as the'May festival, 81, so and
81. so, and in anticipation of large excur-
sion parties from distant cities excursion
rates will be secured on the railroads, thus
enabling strangers TO throng the city and
contribute to grand gaia carnival OF song.
The building itself will be made an attrac-
tive feature, by means of the grand prone
made richly decorated, and the salon where
works of art sculpture and painting) VIII
contest with foliage plants and flowers for
tHAlsp9a utaES r Or 0 fa W9
ell and gallant men, and the European style
of leaving the seats between acts will be
en- rcgeI. A large number of private boxes
and proscenium boxes will accommodate
those who desire to be somewhat exclusive,
and driveway into the building has been
/ planned. Mr.. Fertl. w. Peck, the
philosophical citizen, Is President OF
the Association, and the following gentle
men are associated with him on the Board
of Directors: William Penn Nixon, Louis
Vail, George Schneider, John r. Walsh,
A. A. Sprague, Eugene Carey, c. L. Hutch
inson. George +. Harding. S. G. Pratt IS
the Musical and General Director for the
Association. With these energetic men to
manage the affairs of the festival, and such
names as Joseph Medill, n. X. Fair
bank and c. NJ. Henderson to head the list
Of guarantors the prospects are indeed ex.
traordinary for Chicago's first grand opera
festival.