Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1886-06-01
THE MUSICAL FESTIVAL.


The only drawback to the success 81 the
musical festival thus far has been the
weather, which has prevented many from
enjoying the concerts, who would have
otherwise attended. The rain still con
tinued Thursday, aud the audiences were,
of course, affected by the disagreeable
weather to some extent. Still, there was
gratifying attendance at the matinee,
and the house in the evening was
well filled, large delegation being
present from st. Adams and Patts-
burgh. The afternoon concert was
thoroughly enjoyable, the programme
comprising an admirable variety of seec.
tons, both vocal and instrumental. one
of the finest things of the festival thus far
was the opening overture to civilian
Tell' by the orchestral number which
i'll itself was well worth Drawing mud and
rain to hear, and which was the principal
attraction to many of the audience pres
emit The overture was rendered in man
ner which left nothing to criticize, and
which thoroughly tested and proved the
superior quality of the orchestra, especial
ly when controlled by II masters baton.
There are Few OrchestraS i'll the country
which could have played this magnificent
overture as 1t was rendered by
Blaisdells orchestra, Thursday. The
other orchestral selections were almost
equally fine. The "Serenade" and"Soldiers'
Song' were delightfully."- rendered, ard in
response to prolonged applause Mr. Blais-
dell rose and bowed his acknowledgements.
The fine melody and intricate movement
of the Polish Dance" were also excel.
lently given. The programme introduced
three of the eminent soloists, Miss Kehew,
Miss Welsh and Mr.. Parker. Miss Kehew
had royal reception, her selection from
Mozart's lie NUzze Di Figaro" being ap.
plauded to the echo. Miss kehew bowed
her acknowledgements from the box Her
voice showed to far better advantage in
the beautiful aria than in "tair Elem
Wednesday evening. II is a rich, sym
pathetic, pure and powerful soprano, es-
peCially strong and full in the lower
register. Miss Welsh sang two charm
ing selections, "An Exile and "a Dis
appointment" the latter pleasant ballad
Her voice Is smooth and pleasant and her
enunciation admirable. Mr.. Parker also
had an opportunity to show his fine voice
in its proper register, singing Beethoven's
Adelaide" in manner which won the
enthusiastic applause of the audience.
His voice IS slngularly pure, even and
rich, and fully as good III the higher AS
the lower register. Miss Lizzie Holmes
sang "Miriames Song of Triumph" dis
playing voice of great volume and
power; voice unusually rich and fun Of
promise. The chOruSeS were all well
rendered, the Plattsburgh delegation add
ing much to their power and effectiveness.
The sprightly "Carnovale" was particu-
lary good, and the "Belfry Tower was
also well sung.
EVENING CONCERT.
The evening concert comprised Rossni's
"Stabat Mater in part one and sym
phony in part two. The "Stabat Mater"
was given in a manner which has never
been equalled here Mr.. Babcock made
his first appearance in the Introductory
quartette, and was warmly welcomed
He was in magnificent voice and through
out the piece carried every hing with him.
The air Pro Peccats' by Mr Babcock
was magnlficenty sung Miss Welsh's
cavatina was one Of the best things.of the
evening. At its close she was presented
with an elegant boquet. Miss kehew
sang the air to the last chorus beautifully,
and also received an elegant tribute OF
noWerS. Mr.. Parker sang very fairly the
air, 'ThrOugh His Bleeding Side" The
choruses We're admirably given by the
more than 100 voices on the platform At
the close Mr.. Zerrahn was presented with
superb basket of flowers.
Part two opened with the overture to
'ODeron," by the orchestra, rendered in
manner which ELECTED IA prolonged encore,
to which however, the orchestra did not
respond. Mr.. Babcock sang Leach's LET
All Obey" with ii richness of voice and
llIlSllt'l IlltSSlDl NItn won MN
thusiaStic applause. His voice is truly Il
magnificent bass, and he was never in
finer voice than last evening. His solo to
the chorus almighty God" was one of
the finest things of the evening. Miss
Welsh sang two delightful songs, the
ing especially pretty and well rendered
Mr.. II. II. Hanley of St Albans-n favor
tie singer here-sang 81 Alone Can Tell"
with very sweet and even tenor voice
and tine expression. In response to an
encore he sang Dreaming. He was pre-
scented with flowers. Miss Kehew and
Mr; Parker sang a very pleasant duet
"Oh, that We Two Were Maying" Their
voices blended nicely The concert closed
with Bucks grand FESTIVAL Hymn"
which was rendered by chorus and or
chestra, ami was one of the best chorllses
thus far sung. The piano accomplishments
were finely and artlstically rendered by
Miss Macomber, her playing winning the
highest commentator of both the
chorus, sOloists and the audience She
was also the recipient of floral tribute
Friday Afternoons Matinee
opened with the beautiful bridal chorus
from The Rose Maiden" which as well
as tie closing anthem, was given with adj
mirable precision by the chorus. Miss
hehews song from the Daughter of the
Regiment was delightfully."- sung; she was
recalled by prolonged applause, and bowed
her acknowledgements from the stage
box. Miss Welsh's Dreams" did not "go
by contrares" but was exceedingly nice
Mr.. Bdbcock's 1.-TWO Grenadiers," intro
ducing the Marsellaise, was grandly
given as was his favorlte song: 81 fear
no Zoe" Mr. Parker's song, ellis Pic
ture. was one OF the gems Of the after
noon The vesper hymn, by the quar-
tette or Boston solOists and chorus, was
exceedingly enjoyable. Mr. Neyers's cor.
het SOLO ana the weird overture to "Or-
Fhee aux Enfers," and intermezzo
by the orchestra were heartily applauded
and the concert closed with Fair Ellen
of Lucknow, This was added to the pro
gramme to crafty general desire for ITS
repetition. 10 was perhaps asking a good
deal OF all the singers, TO repeat it, as il
certainly was of Mr., Parker, who took the
part of Lord Edward before, under protest
as not being suited to his voice. lie also
had the further claim to be excused i'm