The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-02-21
THE MUSICAL FESTIVAL.
The First Concert a Pronounced
Success.

Should Have Been Attained in So
Short a Time-The Solo Singers Re-
peatedly Recalled-A Large and
WeII-Pleased Audience-The Matinee
This Afternoon and Concert Tonight.
About a year ago the first musical festi-
val ended in the most gratifying and dis
tinct success There was much enthusi-
asm Masonic hall, in which the festival
was held was crowded with a represen-
tative audience, and every one interested
felt that a very satisfactory beginning
had been made. Not even the most opti-
mistic friend Of music would, however,
at that time have predicted the musical
upheaval which has taken place in
staid Savannah. and which eliminated
in the first regular festival concert given
at the theater last night. Long before
yesterday morning every seat had been
sold for the entire series Of concerts and
the theater was not only as full as it could
well be in the lower part of the house, but
the second tier was filed, and the aisles
were crowded as well.
The audience was made up of the most
cultured, as well as the most fashionable
people of the city. and the whole at
mosphere was one of refined and intelli-
gent appreciation of the musical feast
prepared-combined with most enthusi-
astic reception of the individual artists,
THE CHORUS A Beautiful SIGHT.
The chorus numbered $50 voices, as
against eighty-fiye III last years festival,
and comprised the very best soloists, pro-
fessional and amateur, together with
many fresh young voices whose possess
ors scarce called themselves singers a year
ago The stage of the theater
was not large enough TO hold
the chorus and orchestra, and had 10
be extended out over the first row OF
parquette seats. The sights of the hun
dred or more brightly dressed and lovely
women seated in tiers extending from
the footlights nearly up to the prosce-
mum arch was certainly most charming
one. The arrangement was most taste
full, and the pretty costumes of the la
dies were set off by the sober evening
dress Of the men, while
number of palms surrounding
the large organ on the highest tier
made q most effective background.
So many bright and happy faces as were
in the festival chorus last night are not
often seen, as it was evident that no mat
ter what the sentiments of the audience
might prove, the chorus had made up its
mind to have a rovally happy musical
the moment the first eager sopranos
were allowed to Chamber into their seats
there was continued and growing en-
thusiasm which broke out into applause
with waving of handkerchiefs as the
popular conductor, Dr. H. r. Palmer,
mounted his stand and gave the signal
for the opening chorus. Preceding DR.
Palmer's appearance the orchestra for
mally opened the programme with light
mum Der by Suppe, and then the real work
Of the evening began.
A CATCHY RHYTHM.
The first chorus from Verdi's Sicilian
Vespers, and known as bright Crimson
Morning" is bright and not especially
pleasant composition, but it has a catch
ing rhythm, and in the last portion gives
room for some effective work for the
womens voices. 1t was surprisingly well
sung, considering the nervousness which
naturally attends the opening number,
and was warmly applauded. The audience
was then given a chance to hear one of
the most charming voices that has been
heard here in many day. DR.. Thomas
Milton Mendsen, of Chicago, had been en-
gagged especially for the festival and the
anticipations reused by his reputation as a
delightful singer, were more than met
DR.. Mendsen has a true tenor voice, of
peculiarly even quality throughout it's
whole range, which is equal to any de-
mand that may be made upon it, even by
the most exacting concert work He
not only has that beautiful, free, and
resonant timbre so very charm
ing in the enforced tenor di
grazzia, but when he takes his fat or
c he does it with no apparent effort and
with unchanged tone quality. Dr. Mend
sen has the good task not always found in
concert tenors of not forcing and shout
ing, and sings with excellent reserve
which laatyac m n1l1o1 70 no 4 4
of any climax, His first number was
Romano called Lima" by San Florence
and while not very important from the
musicians standpoint, served to show
the beauty of the singers voice to great
advantage.
In response to a spontaneous encore DR..
Mendsen sang DeuZa's Marguerite. Later
in the evening he was heard again in
Love of Long Ago" by Jarvis, and in re.
Spouse to recall sang Corven's Chill
drens Home" which was enjoyed as
much as any of his numbers.
MRS. HAYNES A FAvoRITE.
Following Dr. Mendsen came the even
popular Mrs. Haynes, whose selections
from Donnizettis File du Regiment, ,
were splendidly adapted to show the hex-
Utility OF her very beautiful voice and
her excellent mastery Of that style o.
ford work so much demanded by the
writer named. Mrs. Haynes was received
with even more than usual warmth, and
responded TO her encore with very PRETTY
ballad
The chorus work of the first part ther
closed with selection from Kreutzer's
"a Night in Grenada in which the
chorus, assisted by Miss Nolan anC
Messrs. Bates, Dougan, Blois and King
as soloists, made one of the most pleasing
effects of the evening. Miss NolaI
has very telling voice, which wa
perfectly adapted TO the work in hand
MRS. SUMMERS ABLE RENDITIoNs.
The place of honor at the end Of thu
first part, was filed by Mrs Marie An
toinette Summers, of Brooklyn. Sh,
sang the well known Scena and prayer
from Webers opera DER Freischutz,'
and sang IL in a manner that not only
made her an immediate favorite with au
dience and chorus, but showed her to be
skillful and highly meritorious artist a,
well. She has very effective soprano
voice extending to the high c, and it!
quahtyis excellent, though the long Jour
ney without proper chance fol-
rest told somewhat against tn,
singer It is not, however vDOr