News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1886-04-29
Musical Festival at Burlington
burlington Free Press

Our Burlington readers already
know something of the preparations
for the approaching May festival of
the Philharmonic Society of this city.
We want our outside readers and our
brethren of the Vermont press who
take any interest in music, also to
know that the arrangements for the
festival are now complete, and that
everything presages the finest musical
convention ever held in this city, or in
Vermont. We say this, knowing that
many of them will remember that the
society has held four previous highly
successful festivals, conducted by the
prince of leaders, Carl Zerrahn, and
marked by the presence of some of
the best vocalists in New England,
and by the production Of some of the
great choral masterpieces of all time.
But the coming festival may reasona-
bly, be expected to surpass all of
these, because an ampler fund has
been provided for it, in advance; it
will be held at a more favorable time
of year and the chorus will be much
larger; while the preliminary rehears-
ing has begun with more spirit than
ever before, and is proceeding under
the able leadership of Mr.. Baisdell,
with promise of the most satisfactory
results. The solo singers engaged are
the best that could be secured in New
England. Two Of these will make
their first bow to Burlington audiences
on this occasion. But though hither-
to little known here, it is quite plain
that the managers have been fortu-
nate in securing them. Miss Kehew
was known to musical people AMI pro-
fessional musicians in Boston as one
Of the most promising of the rising
singers, when she sprang into public
notice, by her singing at the last great
Worcester festival, and especially by
her very remarkable rendering of the
'EHear We Israeli in Mendelssohn's
"Elijah." She now, in the opinion Of
discerning critics, ranks among the
first singers in New England. Her
voice is pure soprano, clear and full,
and her execution shows fine training,
great breadth and power and true ar
tistic feeling and finish. We -bespeakf
for her a cordial welcome and we are
confident that the only disappoint-
ment on the part of the hearers will
be an agreeable one. Miss tia Welsh,
the contralto, is no stranger; all who
heard her two and three years ago
remember her as genuine artist and
a delightful singer. She is now the
contralto in the famous quartette of
the Church of the Immaculate Concep-
ton, Boston. She has gained in
power and execution since she was
here, and she is the best oratorio con-
tralto in New England. Mr.. George
J. Parker, of Boston, is easily among
the first tenors in that city. He is
especially satisfactory in oratorio, and
we have had no better one here at any
festival. Mr.. Babcock is by common
consent the leading basso no singing
in oratorio, in this country; and to
those who have heard him at the three
previous Philharmonic festivals, his
name will be description enough. The
society has been at great expense to |
secure his services, and it will prob
ably be his last appearance in Bur
lington, as he has made engagements
for strictly OraLorio work in large Cit
les for the next season, which will put
him beyond the reach of country soci-
cites. Blaisdell's fine orchestra will |
furnish the instrumental accompani-
ment, with Miss Kate E. Macomber
as pianist. Miss Macomber has been
prosecuting her musical studies in
Boston under the best teachers, and
she will be found fully equal to the
place.
The great feature of the festival
will be the production Of Hande's Or
atorio of "Samson," which will be
presented for the first time in this CITY.
and so far as we can remember, the
first time in Vermont. Handel com
posed this next after his "Messiah,"
while he was in the very prime of his
by many of the grand characteristics
Of the Messiah and is magnificent
Oratorio. The presentation of this
great composition will awaken extra
ordinary interest. 1t will occupy the
last evening of the festival and bring
it splendidly to its close. Among the
attractive features will be the giving Of
Rossin's "Stabat Mater" the Spirited
and admirable cantata of Fair Ellen
or the Siege of Lucknow" and a
choice variety of solos and choral and
gems.