The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-10-15
THE MUSIC FESTIVAL.

The Opening Concert Last Evening Attended
by an Unexpectedly Large Audience.
No more beautiful sight ever came before the
eyes of an Indianapolis audience than that
which met the admring gaze Of those who filed
Tomlnson Hall last night. Nearly all of the
girls Of the grand chorus, six hundred in num-
Der, were dressed in white, the few who were
not being in brighter colors, only serving to
heighten, by contrast the beautiful effect,
There were no plants or flowers upon the etage.
as il was first intended there should be, the
overwhelming display of bright and joyous
youth rendering recourse to the vegetable king
dom unnecessary. The stage was swathed with
American flags. and spanned with patriotic col
ors, which added greatly to the picture. The
house was well filled, much larger audience be-
ing present than was expected upon the first
night. 1t was an appreciative audience in excel
lent humor, and ready with applause at the op-
perfume moment
Director Pearson raped with his baton
waved his hand, and the chorus of youth and
beauty rose and sung Eichberg's national hymn,
ITO Thee, Country" A forest of larks could
not have excelled these fresh young voices, and
the audience gave long and hearty applause.
Rev. NJ. L. Hanes then introduced the orator
of the evening. Rev. DR.. Simon j. Mcpherson,
of Chicago Mr. Mcpherson, in beginning bis
address, the title of which was "Christ and
Character" the tenor being character building,
said it was a very common opinion that an
address upon a serious subject is out of har-
mony with festal occasion like this. and he
himself felt that to lift his voice against that
chorus of fresh young voices would
be an incongruity and an anti-cli-
max. He had, he said, never seen
anything like that in Chicago, and would carry
back to Chicago with HIM recollections of a
chorus of character far superior to anything
that had been attained in his city He was glad
to be associated with the Y. NJ. c. A. He had
gone to Chicago. where there was a constant
stream of them coming and going. which gave
him a work he delighted to do, but was more
than he could do. He showed that character
was to be trained and nurtured. m~lded into
symmetrical shape, and gave Jesus Christ as the
great example Character is like complexion.
The latter shows the symptoms of the state of
health of the body. the former of the soul. The
lecture was replete with beautiful and apt illus
trations.
The Grand Orchestra followed with Aubers
'Zanetta," which was revelation, and ELECTED
great applause. The Mendelssohn Society, about
eighty ladies and gentlemen, then came upon
the stage, and sung Leslie's Daylight is Fad
ingn This effort was deservedly applauded.
Mrs. Frank III. lowering then SING ArditTs
delicate and beautiful Magnetic Waltz" Her
voice-clear, full and bird-like-6lled the entire
hall 1t was a charming rendition, and received
volley after volley of applause. The audience
was not to be satisfied with courtesy and smil-
ing recognition of their favor, and Mrs. Lever
ing sang as an encore the sweet and simple song.
Marguerite" which. like her previous effort,
WAS heartily applauded.
Perry ingalls,, acknowledged to bs one of the
finest cornet artists in the country, gave as a
| solo Rossini's "Infammatus."
| Rev G. T.. McNutt announced that number
of persons had urged that the chorus be asked to
canvass the city for tho sale of tickets. His an
swer had been that expense HAD been spared
| to make this festival an artistic success The
| audience this night lad voted it success The
! music was worth the money. " has not been