Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-05-04
THE MAY FESTIVAL.
Tho Last Nights Entertainments an Excel
lent One.

'Nt' INV.
The programme yesterday evening for the
May festival was Of an entirely different
character from that of Friday night.
The chorus assembled behind q curtain.
which was raised just before the COM
rnencement of the overture. revealing to
the audience tier on tier Of ladies and gen.
tlemen, nearly three hundred in number.
TIE OVERTURE.
The opening overture, the familiar
lannhauser." received a new signif canoe
under the magic baton Of Mr.. Nikisch. A
few in the audience had heard the orches-
ira under Gericke and Hensehel and were
prepared TO appreciate the differences IN
the work OF the band under the magic ba-
ton OF its new director. Never has the
familiar overture received a more beautiful
Interpretation, or one more poetic, though
40 tho same time brilliant and dramatic.
The quiet but firm beat o. the conductor
seems 20 draw from each man the best
work Of which he Is capable with a grand
result, which places the performers Of the
Boston symphony Orchestra on par with
any In the world.
THY WE'RE ENcoRED.
Tho "Poer-Gvntn suite with hs sad,
heart-ronding funeral march. the quaint
phrases of the dance. the wonderful
ment. and the weird portrayal of
the. chase Of the imps showed the SUI
perb capabilities Of the orchestra, charm
ing and fascinating all who listened, The
last movement was enthuslasticall NJ
corei, and Mr.. Nikisch gracefully yielded
10 the wishes Of the public.
The CHORUS.
The Festival chorus was the feature Of
the evening, and it, work was excellent,
considering the short time Of preparation
and the hasty manner of its organization.
Placed far i'm the rear, behind the large
orchestra. the full effect was lost in n great
measure. hut the superb mass OF tone was
fully appreciated in those moments when
il could be heard. The sopranos especial
" were admirable in quality Of tone and
the Redemption and "Tannbauser y
were Qrandly sung.
The orchestra has made its reputation
in Richmond, and all music-lOyers in tho
city hope for an early opportunity Of hear-
ing il again next season. The Mozart As
ISOLATION are TO he congratulated On bring
ing this organization TO the city.
OTHER vEATUHKs.
The aria Of Madame Steinbach-Jahns
was sung with splendid effect and was well
received.
The Gesang-Vorein Virginia, under their
enthusiastic director, Charles l.. Sic9el,
Esq. rendered Abt's Victory Song" very
croditably and effectively. 1t is beauti-
full composition.
Mr. Marshall the conductor, seems to
have won the hearts of his singers az q
magnificent floral Tyre was handed him
after the first chorus.
Mr.. NIKJscH SURPRISED.
Mr. Nikisch conplmentiug the work Of
the singers. was greatly surprised on being
informed by Mr.. Marshall that It was not
permanent organization, and congratu-
lated their director on the excellent WORK
accomplished in so short time.
NOTES ABOUT THE FESTIVAL.
Altoycther the May Festival was grand
sue, So with excellent houses of the best
mus nsoplo in the city, and the Mozart
As. =. - deserve the thanks of the com
mu,,,,, ror organizing such grand scheme
and carrying it out in every detail to such a
successful conclusion.
The great orchestra and the rows OF
singers behind il reminded one Of the
grand oratorio performances of the large
northern cities.
At the close Of the performance the or
chcstra were entertained of Sanger Hall by
the Gesang-V erein Virginia.