Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1895-04-12
IN THE LOCAL FIELD.
THE FESTIVAL ORCHESTRA CON-
CERT

Again has Manager Stewart placed Brat
tleboro under very great obligations by
presenting an aggregation of artists such
as no local demand would ever bring here,
or local manager have the temerity to en-
gage. 1t seemed at the last appearance
that the concert was far in advance of any
preceding event, but certainly the concert
of last evening far surpassed it. To speak
of every meritorious feature would require
more space than we can command, but
there were special features that demand
favorable mention. The opening overture
by Berioz, introducing the obigato on the
rarely heard English horn, presaged the
high character of the whole. Mr.. Rogers,
the harpist, was warmly greeted by the
large number who were so delighted at his
last appearance here a few months ago,
and again charmed every one by his skilled
lingering of that magnificent instrument.
OF the masterful rendering of the piano
concerto by Mr.. Sherwood what can be
said? Certainly nothing that can do JUS
tice to it or convey any correct idea of the
wonderful ability of this king among pi-
anists. Fitted to stand beside the greatest
masters of the piano, there seems to be alb
souteiy no limit to his ability. Mr.. Sher-
wood has many warm Brattleboro friends,
friends of many years standing, and there
are some of us who remember with keen
est delight an evening with him in the old
Crosby opera hall on Elliot street, now the
Masonic hall. The suite d'orchestre
"L' Arl6sienne," with its four movements,
was a constant revelation and delight to
all. Its dignifed meodious prelude, rem
dered doubly so by the beautiful bars for
the wood-winds, its crisp minuette, the
restful, dreamy adagietto and quaint,
unique carlton, were most faithfully and
delicately rendered.
But of course, for a large number, the
chief interest centred in the excerpt from
Faust-the beautiful third act, introducing
"Salve dimora," the "Jewel song" etc,
etc. 1t is a most difficult thing for any
artists to "begin in the middle of an
opera and in the keenest spirit faithfully
portray its characterizations or its musical
beauties. 1t was doubly difficult to do
this with the crude surroundings of the
miniature garden upon the stage last even
ing; barring the wall and adjacent cottage
window scene, there was little to comport
with the Intoxicating atmosphere of the
love scene in Faust. Yet it must be said
that to a wonderful degree all seemed to
forget the absence of stage accessories and
made the most of what there was. Miss Rose
Stewart, in the role of the simple, lovely
village maiden, Marguerite, was most ac-
ceptable; the jewel scene gave opportunity
for the display of her cultured soprano and
the resultant enthusiastic encore. But
more should be said; Miss Stewart, although
concert artist, displayed rare dramatic
ability and gave evidence of most careful
study of the character. 1t was truly very
charming picture of maidenly simplicity
and loveliness.
In the double role of the lover, Siebel,
and the mature aunt, Martha, Miss Stein
made most favorable impression and re-
vealed versatility which augurs well for
future success. Her voice, a rich contralto,
was constant pleasure, and in the aria
from Carmen" as well as in the costumed
numbers from Faust, was most acceptable.
OF Mr.. Rieger as Dr. Faust and Mr.. Clarke
as Memphistopheles, little but praise can
be said. Certainly of the musical render
ings we have no word of criticism and any
little crudities in action may well be attrib-
uted to the hall and the stage with its cir
cumscribed facilities rather than the artists
themselves. Mr.. Reger has a beautiful
| tenor voice to which we shall be pleased to
listen again. Mr.. Clarke is possessed of a
magnificent, resonant, flexible bass voice,
which, on occasion, gave splendid exhibit of
| its power and electrified the audience.
To the management, thanks! 1t is not
to be expected that BrattlebOro can be
often favored with such a feast, but it is to
be hoped that once in a while, as in this
instance, there may at least come an "otf''
night when to exc out enormous daily out
lays, we may receive a visit of like nature
and with like accompaniments, to which we
shall, in the absence of a crowded house
with consequent liberal income, be obliged
again to say with somewhat of shamefaced-
ness thanks"