Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-05-22
MUSIC REIGNS.
Continued from First Paas.

OOISCtJtUeu yTOUI HGTSC IUy6.
sandwiched. The great crowd of 4,OOC
or more people was easily handled
and no difficulty on this head was encoun-
tered. The arrangement of the seats was
so simple that people found their places
without any trouble. The corps of 30
ushers, under the direction of @. Y. Seanor,
did noble work, and Manager Locke COM
placently contemplated the scene from one
of the boxes. Everything seemed to work
with degree of regularity that grew mo-
notonous, even the bows of the trained
fddlers reminded one of the steady tramp Of
well-drilled soldiers.
The Exposition building stands on his
torlc ground; but it is safe to conjecture that
probably not in the history Of the Point
have so many carriages and people been
massed at one time on the shore of the beau
tiful Allegheny in that neighborhood.
They Saw From without.
With the first arrival of the people came
the natives from this locality. They stood
around the passageways in crowds, looking
and wondering at the men and women. Old
men, with pipes in their mouths and trousers
in their boots, gaped at the fine carriages
and made quaint comments. The sharp
little urchins, poorly clad and shivering
with the cold, were eager to catch nickel
holding horses or running errands.
One bright-eyed maiden, with shawl
thrown over her bare shoulders, and no
shoes on her feet, walked up and down in
front Of the main entrance, leaning on the
arms of two boys, who were proud of the honor
of escorting the belle of the Point She aped
the ''big bugs" to perfection, as she called the
fnely-dressed ladies, in a remark to her COM
panions.
Beauty Jostling the Crowd.
From to o'clock Duquesne way was
crowded with people going to the concert. 1t
was an unusual sight for this ancient thorough
fare. Chorus girls, prettily arrayed in white,
walked along briskly and jostled the crowds
fearful lest they might be late.
A long line of carriages filed Penn avenue
and Second street, but Dan Sylvus ana Cap
tain Unterbaum were there with 25 policemen,
and the carriages were soon emptied of their
occupants. When this was done they were
taken around the building to the levee at the
west end of the auditorium. There was
no 1aTring' ntb, mo rghsn; thd;c, the beVerytnlng
was delayed few minutes to allow belated
ones to enIer. The managers hope this will be
avoided for the balance of the week. On this
account a number had to leave before the sing
ing was over to catch early trains.
Some of the chorus girls occasionally applied
at the wrong door for admission; but Manager
Locke soon directed them to the entrance in
the west wing
Back of the Stage
long tables had been constructed, and here the
ole nla hair hot Tha
dressing rooms were arranged for the prima
donna and leading singers under the stage.
When door opened peep could be had of
the fair Juch or Miss Aus der Ohe. the pianist.
or one of the other singers. Kalisch pranced
up and down humming, all the fire in a restless
nature stirred. Fischer, the basso, was more
sedate, and took things very coolly. These
little incidents were occurring beneath the
stage while the large audience was being seated.
The members of the orchestra arrived early
and it was a marvel to the people how soon
they disappeared with their instruments when
the concert was over. They made q break for
the doors, and were gone before Bishop White
head scarcely knew what had happened. Their
agility led him to remark: "Myi how the mu-
sicians do skedadle! They evidently understand
their business"
The $50 persons in the chorus are mostly
Pittsburgers. The night was a little raw, and
fathers, brothers and best men were on hand
to see that the handsome girls were well pro-
tected One fine-looking old lady in the
chorus, with head of gray hair, was particu-
larly singled out for comment on account of
her age; but she sang like nightingale and
enjoyed it
The Whistle Blew.
When Anton Seidl appeared on the stage he
was heartily applauded. An unexpected event,
occurred to mar the rendition Of the
first overture. In the midst of the piece one of
those awful, screeching, harmony killing boat
whistles began to toot, and the orchestra
stopped. Three long, loud blasts were given
before the side-splitting sound subsided. At
first the audience thought there was bass horn
solo in progress, but when Leader Seidl leaned
his head On his hand in disgust, the great
crowd began to laugh, and then broke out into
applause. The veteran manager waited until
the unearthly sound had ceased, and then pro-
ceeded with the music. Once while Miss Juch
was singing, boat whistle of smaller dimen.
sions was blown, but the sweet singer paid no
attention to the racket on the river. Manager
Locke particularly requests rivermen to discon-
tinue the practice, if compatible with safety on
the river, for the balance of the week; and the
people living near the Allegheny would be glad
to see 1t stopped forever.
Before the singing began the large audience
was naturally a little apprehensive and uneasy.
The crowd present had insured the financial
success for the night; but fears were expressed
soon died away, and admiration took its place.
A few men were overheard
Making Wager
that the chorus would make slip; but they
sang with such success that the doubter paid
the bet promptly. Their singing was highly
by everybody. A reporter list
ened to the comments of people, and they were
fattering. or course 1t couldn't be otherwise,
members of the Mozart Club.
81 am satisfied more than pleased, with the
success of the first night" said Carl Retter
after the concert.
Manager Locke was found leaning against
one of the big posts in the corridor, taking In
the fragrance of large red rose in the lapel of
his coat.
ut is a grand success" he said to the re-
porter. u am gratifed with the first nights
showing. You ask me wherein this May Festi-
val differs from others that have been held.
reply, in no particular What Pittsblrgers are
getting has been given on a similar plan in
other cities; in some cases on a |
more extensive scale. The orchestra |
is one of the best in the country, and larger |
than usual. We have about 81 pieces, but gen |
orally there are not more than 60 As for the |
chorus. it numbers 450 voices, and is well |
trained. AS much cannot be expected of them |
Is from the choruses that are maintained in |
other places all the year around by May Festi- |
val associations. In Cincinnati they have 800 |
voices, and 1000 in Chicago: bnt these are SO |
lnwieldy that it takes a Theodore Thomas to |
handle them. What is lacking here in num-
oers is made up by the elasticity of move.