The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-06-02
Ehe Opening tcncers Triumph of Musical
Culture-Praulvln lehman Makes Her.
self an Instantaneous Fayorite.
Gems. Sherman and LoganWill Positively
Greet the G. A. Veterans To-Day.
Ample Provisions Made BY the Committee for
Visitors from AbrOad-The Programme
for the Campfire This Evening.
A SUCCESSIVE OPENING.
Elao Music Festival Fairly Under Way with
Highly CreditabIe Start.

years that has been anticipated with more inter
est than the Musical Festival. 1t has been
much-talked about event, and is now the object
toward which the attention of all is directed In
large measure, the intensity of interest in the
affair is doubtless due to the large number of
people who are directly concerned in the success
of the enterprise. Besides the several hundred
musicians who have been for several weeks
busy engaged in preparing for the event. the
members of the Grand Army of the Republic
have been zealously iaboring for its sue
cess financially in the interest of
the soldiers monument fund, which
is the principal object of the enterprise Com-
bining the deserving purposes Of developing the
powers of large band Of gifted but undisci-
pinned singers and musicians affording the peo
pie of the city and the State opportunity
to hear q musical combination surpass
ing anything of the kind that has
ever been organized in this section,
and dedicating magnificent new building,
erected through the generous bequest Of pub
lic.spirited citizen, all with the central object Of
raising funds for the building Of monument to
the memory of the soldiers of Indiana, makes
the enterprise one that comprises the elements
Of we'll .merited success
The beginning OF the event was in every way
suspicious. The day was we'll tempered to
the occasion as could have been desired, the sun
shine being well suited TO the holiday attire of
the city, and the bright dress of the throng which
began early to appear on the streets. The trains
brought in visitors during the after
noon from many of the surrounding
Al r,aI1 "a AZ <hn
opening concert, although il is expected that
larger number of visitors will be present during
the remainder of the week than yesterday, and
in order that those coming later may not be dis
appointed after their arrival, the managers of
the festival suspended the sale OF seats to Indi
annapolis people, for the remaining concerts,
hus bringing ous a larger local attendance at the
opening performance than. if the expectations
regarding outside visitors are realized can be per-
united at the remaining concerts.
A stranger in the city could easily have told
where Tomlinson Hall was last night by only
following the crowds. 1t was a night when
all roads led to Rome. From all parts of the
city the people focked to the center of attrac-
zion, the great hall in which was held the initial
performance of the Indianapolis Musical Festi
val Not that all the people were in attendance,
for all were not; but that everybody. almost,
felt such an interest in the event that no was in
tent on getting within range of it If not exactly
in the swim. From to S o'clock there were
thousands OH the way to the Tomlinson
Hall, with the intention of attending the initial
concert given last evening, and other thou
sands intent on seeing what could be seen out
Ill IL, - kf~a obne
of the music and singing as could be had at a
distance
The sidewalks on the opposite side of the sur
rounding streets were literally crowded by
scores Of hundreds drawn there by the hope of
hearing some Of the concert On every side
were evidences of tho greatest interest, and
while it ia to be regretted that all did not fit
to attend, ii is something that such an interest
was manifested. Inside the large structure on
the ground floor. there was q busy scene pre-
sented, the space having been pre.empted by
churches and societies for the purpose Of supply
ing the material wants OF the music-lovng
crowds. 1t was sight vying in liveliness with
the sights usually Witnessed on market nights
on that portion of the square not taken up by the
city building. The money changers were indeed
in the midst Of the temple of music and song
Passing up the broad stairways was like going
ont of the motley crowd of a country fair into a
palace of fine arts. Below were the trahickers
in all manner Of articles thought to be pertain
ing TO the festival above There were innumera-
bic boys selling fans-'palm-leaf fans for n
nickel" was the CRY on every side. Then there
were the ice-cream venders score or more of
kHn had
cry, "Step in and try dish Of our icecream."
And good many did step in and try the seduct-
i've compound for the night, be it known, was a
warm one, and Just the kind that paves the way
for such Inventions devised to cool the heat con-
fumed individual
Thor there we're tho crowds Of all manner CT
people. Some Of appearance of persons of
culture and some alas, that gavo no hint Of
anything above the plebeian level of medioc-
rity. Barouches and carts iostled each other
for tho best places Of observation. There wero
citizens IN carriages with every indication that
they wsre amply able to pays<heir way to all the
entertainments that the world might care to
prepare, yet, for some inscrutable reason. their
owners and occupants seem not to have thought
1t incumbent upon them to encourage this best
Of oil public enterprises. Let 1t be hoped that
thcy will show their appreciation of the efforts
Of those in charge By being present on the best
Of all nights, which is tonight
1t Is a fact generally recognized that 1t is bet
ter for those who lay claim to feeling of enter
prise that they demonstrate it in SONS practical
way occasionally. There is now an opportunity
that can not DO neglected without the suspicion
~ naragmonv nitiahla In hehoId Durir0 thu an
tire evening thore was constant tide running
toward and recsding from Tomlinson Hall. And
oil through the performance there was 'sea Of
upturned faces" on every side.
But not few found their way to the inside,
and testified their interest by paying for the en-
jOymeut of the grandest and best musical enter
prise that ever the city was favored with.
Passing up the broad steps. one found upon en-
tcxing the audience hall that thoro were about