Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-12-25
THE CONCERTS A GO.
Popular Music Will Displace the May
Festival Next Year.
THE MASSES DEMAND LOW PRICES.
Exposition Managers viii Now Cater to the
Middle Glasses.
WHAT Mr.. LOCKE SAYS OF THE SCHEME

| The popular concert idea has struck Pitts
burg like thunderbolt. That there will
be no May music festival next year, seems
absolutely certain. This does not mean
that the Exposition managers believe that
the May Festival could not be made a sue
cess, but that they have simply decided that
what the great masses want is popular con-
certs. The Exposition Society have gone SO
far in the arrangements as to practically
justify the assertion that series of concerts
will be given in the main Exposition Hall
for period of four to six weeks, beginning
early in May.
Manager Johnston visited the Exposition
buildings yesterday afternoon for the pur-
pose of deciding whether or not arrange
ments could be made for the concerts in the
building. After making complete exam1-
nation of the interior of the main hall, he
came to the conclusion that the east end of
the building is most adapted for the purpose.
Mr.. Johnson's plan is to take out all of the
stands in the upper end of the building, and
erect stage and sounding board. almost oppo-
site the main entrance. There will be no at
tempt at arrangements tO.se2t the audiences ar
first. The idea IS to give promenade concerts
on the same plan as those given in the Chicago
WITHOUT DRESS SUITS.
With the theatre season closed and a place
provided where people can meet their friends
without any of the stiffness and formality
CHARACTERISTIC Of society gatherings, there
seems but little doubt that the concerts will
meet with the approval of the people. There
is desire on the part of the Exposition So
ciety managers to give to the people the very
best talent attainable for the least possible
money. In fact they have come to the con-
clusion that 1t pays to cater to the middle
classes.
Manager Johnston stated that any business
man will say: IF cater entirely for the rich,
will make few sales. If cater to the middle
classes, catch both rich and poor, because the
the concert scheme. If the Exposition So
ciety can furnish 1rst-class entertainment at
popular prices the music-loving people of the
higher class Will patronize them, and if they
desire an exclusiTeness about the affair they
will pay few extra dollars for a box or stall.
Continuing Manager Johnston said: "I
think , we nave ave; struck key note. There is
especially so in the summer time. know the
Pittsburg people want just what we propose to
give them. In the first place, popular priced
first-class character or the wealthy will not
have anything to do with them. Our plans
have not assumed definite shape, but think it
is safe to say that the concerts will be given
early in the summer, before the great mass of
people go away. We will then draw from them
as well as from the great number of stay-at-
homes.
.'Pittsburg is ahead in wealth ana manufaet-
uring industries. but is wonderfully back in
the love Of music. All the people want how
ever is taste, and when they once get that on
the popular idea, they will never be without it
again. am now satlsfied that the orchestral
concerts Will be success. Later, If the proper
surroundings in the shape of music hall can
be had, the people can be given something very
fine"
WHAT THE MANAGERS SAY.
Mr.. John Bindley, OF the Board of Managers,
said: THE Exposition people are tired of high
prices. The feeling is that hereafter the peo-
pie shall get at least twice the value of their
money. believe if the present movement can
be carried out, we can make the working peo-
pie of Pittsburg feel that there is no place in
the world quite as nice as this in which to live
There is no interest in catering to q class of
people who can afford to pay a high price.
But when you give the poor people first-class |
entertainment at popular prices, you make
Mr.. William McCreery, also Of tie Board Of |
Managers, thought the idea good one, and |
expressed hope that the concerts would be Q |
success. He thought the only difficulty now |
would be In seating the audiences.
Mr.. 8. Hamilton added his good will to the |
scheme. and thought the concerts will make a |
hit with the music lovers Of Allegheny county. |
Mr.. Charles E. Locke, Miss Emma Juch,s |
manager, was seen at the Grand Opera House |
last night He has had considerable expert |
ence in the concert and May Festival line, and |
1t was thought his opinion would be valua- |
Bile at this sjuncture. He expressed the |
belief tina. the Pittsburg people would |
patronize any worthy musical venture, but |
thought especially that the popular concerts,
II conducted properly, would be successful. |
He said that prices are about the same in Pitts
burg as they are East This statement, how
ever, does not exactly tally with that of some |
Others who say that Thomas Orchestra can be |
heard in New York, and Seidel's at Brighton /
Beach, any summer evening for 25 cents, while |
it costs the Pittsburger 81 for the same pleas
ure.
The concerts will be attempted next year as
an experiment at least, and If they prove sue
cessful an effort will be made to have the Music |
Hall erected next fall and the concerts will |
then be continued annually.