The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-03-02
RICHMOND FESTIVAL
TWO SUPERB CONCERTS PROM
lSEDlN THE MONTH OF MAY.

The Boston symphony Orchestra, with
Its sixty Performers, the Leading At
traction-The Gcsang Nerein Virginia to
sing-Particulars OF the AFFAIR.
For ,many years Petersburg has been a
Mecca for music lovers hercabouts every
MAY, and her musical festivals have been rcd
letter successes. Some ofthe best singers and
players in the country have been annually
heard, while the permanent chorus sus-
tanned by Nirginia's Cockade City always
covers itself and its able director with
laurels.
This year Richmond viii come 10 the
front and have a festival Of her own for two
days Friday and saturday, May ID and 81.
The affair will be under the auspices Of the
Richmond Mozart Association. and under
the direction Of Mr.. Clearance A.. Marshall
The Boston symphony Orchestra, Conductor
Arthur Nikisch. the Gesang Nerein Virginia,
perhaps the Richmond Choral Society, Mr.
Marshall'e select chorus, besides some noted
soloists, will furnish two evenings Of unu-
sually fine music
THE ORCHESTRA.
The Boston symphony Orchestra ranks
above any similar organization in the
country. The nearest thing % IL ever heard
in Richmond was the Theodore Thomas
Orchestra with It's forty musicians. II Is
backed financially by the wealthy banker
liigginson, Of Boston, who engages the mu-
sicians ON yearly contracts. and by so do
ing Is able % keep them in beautiful trim.
The musical effects 10 can produce are eX-
traordinary 10 the initiated.
Boston IS perhaps more cultured, musi-
cally. than Richmond. and 10 give an idea
how the orchestra stands there the following,
which is fact, can be- related: The SYM
phOny Orchestra seats last year were placed
ON sale there one Tuesday morning. The
preceding Thursday morning the first man
20 buy tickets took his placs in line and re-
manned there until the box sheet opened
when there were some five hundred people
behind him.
ORR SINGING SOCIETIES.
For years and years unsuccessful efforts
have been made t01eustain "a mixed chorus
here. And only within the past twelve
months has a society that promises 20 live,
come into existence. The organization re-
fcrred 20 is the Richmond Choral Society.
which was the outgr0wth Of a concert given
Hast year az the Second Baptist Church
under the supervision Of Mr. II. /. Solo
mon, now Of New York. Since Mr.. Solo
mons removal from this city, Mr.. Michael
II. Leonard has taken charge and the >0cic-
~ is now In good trim with membership of
about iilty voices. Mr.. Clearance A. Mar
shall has a chorus Of some thirty picked
voices, and the Gesang Nercin Virginia. Di-
rector Charles l.. siegel. has forty male
voices. These three organizations, 10 il
contemplated. viii be combined with some
outsiders and formed into q chorus Of about
one hundred and fifty voices. The Gesang
Nercin has agreed 20 sing number, and
also 10 join i'm the general chorus.
Negotiations are pending % have Lillian
NOrdica, one Of the Patti troupe. sing here
during the icstiyn. and a good deal Of cor
respondence is going ON with other musi-
clans of note; but ina the s0l0ist line nothing
definite has yet been decided.
BIG GUARANTEE.
The festival scheme was born only about
month ago, but il is being carefully MUIR
tured by Mr.. Marshall. In order TO get the
Boston symphony Orchestra il was neces-
sary to give a very large guarantee, and
every scat IN the Mozart Academy will
have 10 be sold 20 make expenses. which
will run up over $1,000. The surplus. if
any, will 60 10 the Mozart Association.
The seats will not Doe sold higher than s..
and members Of the Mozart will have 10
pay only about half price.
10 j. proposed that the first night shall De
symphony night, and the second chorus
and Wagner night.