The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-04-23

until now all question of the wisdom of
holding festival. this the Columbia and
Grand Army year, has disappeared and the
financial "a well as the artistic success of
the enterprise is fully assured.
The desire TO participate in these festi-
first ince ption. The audiences, while uni
formly large. have grown from year TO
year. until last year. two of the perform
snces. at least, attracted audiences that ex-
Iinson Hail. This year the attendance
promises TO be still greater The work per-
formed by the various committees has been
gradually systematiZed until all depart
ments, each successive festival, accom-
plishes better results.
The chorus. from long training and care
full teaching. has reached such q degree of
perfection that 1t undoubtedly excels any
chorus of its size TO be found IN the c0uu-
try. Indiyid ual capabiiity has marked the
selection of every member. skiIlful and
widely experienced master, months of care
ful practice, and n constant attendance on
the part Of individual members have made
even the great chorus of former years
greater this year than ever.
The orchestra, led by Anton Seldl. makes
Its first appearance in the State. and thus
the policy OF variety. when consistent with
superiority. is maintained, and the aim OF
the directors to make each succeeding fes-
tivsl new and novel as posi- BILE Is again
accomplished in this important feature.
Another source Of con gratulatIOn is the
securing OF q chorus master OF both Ameri-
can and European renown. and one WHO
has done SO much for the advancement of
the claims of American composers to dis
tinction, by presenting their works con-
tinuously during three years season OF
concerts. conducted by himself In all the
principal music eenters of Europe. 1t Is
largely due TO Professor Ahrens's enthusi-
asm and his marked success in teaching
and rendering American composition that
the Festival Association will be enabled TO
make q distinctive feature of American
work. And that feature will be- the more
noticeable because of its comparative rar-
ity in most large music festivals.
The festival tins year. Will be May %, %
and "a. Nine. Nordica has been engaged
positively for the opening night and nego-
tiations are now progressing for her .ap-
pearance at the matinee on Tuesday.
Margaret Reid will sing at two concerts.
and probably three. and Miss Juch
Poole. Miss Stein. Nine. Keigg. the tenors
Rieger and Stephens. SignOr Gaiassi, and
the barjtones, Messrs. Eric Bushnell and
Sanger. will each make three appearances.
The Seldl orchestra. judging from the ac-
counts printed In the papers in the various
cities in which it is appearing. Is giving
the greatest Wagnerian concerts ever
given by q travelling organization In this
country. and Miss Juehs singing of the
leading roles 10 likewise enthusiastically
praised. That she is one of the really
great dramatic sopranos Is conceded by all
who are familiar with her capabilities.
Mime. Nordica is at present filling q num-
Der OF concert engagements. and after the
festival here she will 60 to Chicago to be
the principal singer at the great concerts
to he given in connection with the worlds
fair. Afterwards. on May "a. she Will sail
for Europe. where. for year or more, she
will sing in grand opera In the principal
European capitals. notably Paris.
ST. Petersburg and London. 1t
Is significant fact that of all
the American SINCERE who have made pro.
fessiOnsl appearances IN Europe during
the past ten years. she has created the
greatest sensation on account of her mag
nifcent voice and the artistic excellence
of her vocal method. A csblepram received
by her agent last week announces that
Miss Reid will arrive IN New York early in
May. She will probably come direct TO In.
disnapolis TO prepare for her appearance
at the festival.
have not yet been definitely ranged. al
though the principal numbers TO be rem :
dered have been decided upon. The feat
ure of the first evenings entertainment. be-
sides the solo singing Of Mime. Nordica.
will be the rendition of Judas Macca-
baeus" tHandeD. with Nine. Nor
dica, Miss Poole. Mr.. Rieger and
Mr.. Bushnell in the solo parts.
Tuesday evening Memberships st Paul.
will be given. with Miss Juch. Mas Stein,
Mr.. Rieger. Mr.. Bushnell and Signor CALAIS
81 III the leading roles. Wednesday even
ing Will be Wagner night. the features of
which will be excerpts from "Lohengrin."
with all the Drinci pal soloists engaged.
The orchestral works to be given in the
various concerts include Beethoven's PAS
toral symphony" NO. vi: Mozarts Over
tore. '.Magic Flute;" two American works.
Ahren's Symphonic Fantasia" for grand
Tschaikousky's Suite. from The Nut
cracker" wagner's Prelude to Tristan
and Isolden and "Isolde's Death" and
Overture and Bacchsnale," Tannnauser.