The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-05-16
Mile. Trebelli. Nine. Poole-King, Messrs.
Heinrich and Davies. the Vocal
Artists, Well Received.
MARTEAU'S VIOLIN PLAYING
Magnificent Work of the Chorus
i'm the 0ratoriO of st. Paul.
The Orchestra One of the Best Ever
Brought from the East-Talks
with Singers.

No better panegyric could be composed
for an ambitious city than that It is rae
home of a cult such as that fosfered by
the public-spirited musical patrons OF In
dianapolis. and which Is symbolized IN the
sixth annual May festival so auspIciousfy
inauguarated in Tomlinson Hall last night
The mellow title, Mother OF Art" is a
harmless epigram which scolasties delight
10 roll on their tongues. II concerns a
civilization in which vigorous-brained
Americans take little interest Ancestors
are forgotten In the grave. The living
scion Of an art, same as the fesh-eating
hero CT the present, is the one 10 which
we all make obeisance. Hence it is
grander 10 be acknowledged as the home
OF an art than TO be mildewed with the
appellation Mother OF Art"
This city has fairly won a distinction
alongside OF the too few cities in the United
States that pride themselves on their an
nual music festivals. The list OF celebrated
artists who took part in the opening nights
programme is sufficient TO insure this. The
Boston Orchestra, with its accomplished
leader Emil Molenhauer. whose name Is
known on two continents. further sustains
the modest claim. If more evidence were
demanded one need only point to the great
chorus, every member an indianapolis
singer of repute. and all under the artistic
discipline OF Conductor Arens, whose tire
less. patient work made it possible 10 give
a divine rendering OF Mendelssohn's divine
oratorio, .St. Paul" The greater part or
the programme last night was devoted to
this glorifying composition. and the oft-re-
peated paudits Of the aria-loving audience
should be sufficient praise. though poor
SVvQl4fnu
chorus found its echo In the applause OF
nearly 1000 charmed listeners. Professor
Arens had to bow and bow again until his
Hyperion locks suggested a tangled SYM
phony in themselves. Next TO the control
of the big chorus his best hit was the con-
ducting Of MacDowelrs in a Haunted For
est" which the orchestra gave with power
ful and dramatic fervor during the second
part id . 81
To one accustomed to seeing house
packed TO the doors with first nighters''
at an initial performance. the auditoriuD-
was somewhat disappointing last night. A
threatening sky with its hurrying black
clouds from the southwest that finally gath
cred and burst in a violent storm as the
performance closed was not designed TO
bring out a full dress audience. Many who
had prepared precious costumes for the
grst and donned dresses of a. more somber
hue But even with this there was a re-
freshing sprinkle Of colors. filmy laces and,
yes, a reflected semi-decollete gleam here
and there of pearly shoulders The balcony
was perhaps even more generous in this re-
gard than was the main floor. and after
the first part, when the chorus singers re-
tired 10 enjoy the solos. the balcony became
fairly resplendent. Hardly seat was TO bs
found vacant In the upper gallery. and here
was assembled a select audience all By
Itself, composed Of critical listeners, whose
appreciative demonstrations could always
be heard above the outbursts from the
lower floor.
No better proof of the success Of the pro-
gramme can be found than that Furnished
by the wholesome delight with which each
separate number was greeted. Although
young Marteau, with his violin. were being
talked of on all sides as the star Of the
evening, Mile. Trebelli, Ben Davies. Max
Heinrich and Clara Poole-King shared with
equal favor in the applause and murmured
encomiums. Taken all i'm all, il would be
O difficult task. as well as venturesome.
10 select any one of them for exceptional
mention in a brief summary. Their indl-
viduaI merits will be technically treated IN
en-