The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1894-05-15
MAY MUSIC FESTIVAL.
Enormous Success of tho Auction
Salo OF Seats.
What These Festivals Arc.

Mr.. Lawrence Maxwell, solicitor gen.
cral Of tho United States, writes as .iol.
lows about May Music Festivals in Gin.
cinnati:
Tho object OF tho Festival Association
Is to give tho best music In tho best way.
What has boon achieved thus lar 10 n
familiar chapter, and the proudest In
the history OF music In America. Tho
first festival was held twOnty-ono years
nso, in the old exposition building. At
tho close Of the festival, an address was
presented by Hon. Stanley Matthews,
afterwards senator, and n justice OF the
supreme court OF tho United States. urg-
Ing the continuance OF tho work SO
auspiciously commenced. Later came
the building OF music hall, with its great
organ, tho incorporation OF the Festival
Association, the organization Of the
chorus, and tho permanent establish
ment OF the festivals, which have made
Cincinnati famous all over the world.
Most OF the founders have passed away,
but the festivals retain their hold as
strong as ever upon the interests and
affections of the people
Tho preparations for the approaching
Festival have been conducted on tho
same broad plan that has been followed
from tho beginning. It was the Gin.
clnnsti Festival Association that
brought Materns, Winkclmann, Scaria
and Lloyd to America, and that has al
forded an opportunity to hear all the
groat singers OF tho world in concerts
worthy OF their fame. To tho list nre
added now Mrs. Emma Eames-Story,
who went from America 10 win her tirst
laureis at the Grand Opera in Paris /;
Ben Davies, the successor, il not the
compeer, OF Lloyd, and the two leading
bassos of England, Watkin Mills and
Plunkett Greene.
The Chorus has been in active pre-
para.ion for the Festival for two years.
1t numbers five hundred, and is believed
to be in better condition than ever be-
fore. For the %stupendous Berlioz's Ere
QUEEN" it will have the assistance OF
two hundred men from the male caoirs
Of Cincinnati, and the Dayton Philhar-
monte Society. Mr.. Thomas orchestra
will form the nucleus OF the Festival
band, which will number about one
hundred and twenty-five. Il is safe TO
say that 1t is at least the equal OF any
orchestra in the world. Il will be in
creased By the addition Of four brass
bands for the performance OF Berlioz's
Requiem"
A glance q. the programme is suifi-
Gent TO disclose its interesting and
varied character. Almost all OF the
standard choral works having already
been sung at the Festivals. the Associa-
lion embraces this opportunity to pre-
sent 10. the first time in America two
ta~bleauNirom Rubins.ein's sacredopera,
Moses" and the fascinating compost
ton "Hora Novissims," which has just
ly brought SO much fame &c an Ameri-
eau musician, Mr.. Parker. The ever
fresh and popular Elijah" has not
been heard at the Festivals since 1870
Special interest, however, centers in
the production OF Berlioz's Requiem"
o. Grand Mc&S d0 .Nort, which is per.
haps the most colossal and imposing
work in the whole realm OF music; and
in the wonderful Ninth symphony OF
Beethoven, which reused the people TO
the highest pitch OF enthusiasm at the
earlier Festivals. The programmes for
the matiuees are extremely varied aud
interesting, and the Festival closes with
familiar excerpts from Wagner.
1t wiil be especially noticeable tina.
the artists are peculiarly adapted to the
character OF the work selected, being all
English speaking singers. and having
gained Gbeir lausels on the concert stage.
The suction sale for choice OF seats
was held May ! anda During the sale
s total of20So tickets were disposed OF.
Now the seating capacity OF Music Hall
has been reduced, by the additional
sisles, 20 +.0SS So this leaves bu. 1877.
seats fos the single season ticke: and
the single concert iicket sale TO the gen
eral public The total receipts OF the
sale from all sources are S3$n5S The
total premiums are S7.Sal The highest
premium received has been duly re-
corded as $50 The loves; premium 81.
The average premium was 81 6S This
is c~estainly holding the standard ve,v
high. Fo, the sake OF comparison We
offer 8 summary OF premiums received
in eve-y festival from 1878, when Music
Hall was dedicated: