The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-03-28
A GRAND HARMONY OF VOICES.
THE MUSIC FESTIVALS OPENING
CONCERT a BRILLIANT ONE.

cred With lnteiiiEence ana Must-
cal AbiIity-Dr. Palmer Given "A
Characteristic weIeome-The Con-
certs This Afternoon and To-
Might.
The first grand concert Of the third
annual musical festival last night was a
distinct success. While the theater was
not as crowded as IL was at the opening
concert a year ago. there was the same
enthusiasm. The huttering Of "a handler
chiefs in the Chautauqua salute 10 DIT.
Palmer as he appeared in front Of the
chorus was an inspiring sight.
The arrangements Of the stage were
practically the same as last year There
was the same array OF lovely women and
weu-dressed men rising tier after tier
from the parquette up almost TO the flies
al the very back Of the stage. filling the
available space to OVERLOOKING with hand
some toilets and bright. excited faces.
And fronting them. an audience such as
every Savannahian delights to be in; cul-
tivated and refined. expectant OF a must
cal treat and fully capable of its intelii-
gent appreciation. discriminating in its
praise. yet generously sympathetic with
every effort made to please.
It was a brilliant scene and one that
fully assured the managers Of the festival
that their confidence in the musical taste
Of the community was not misplaced.
Standing In front Of the array Of brill
lance and beauty was DR.. Palmer. looking
as though he had solved the problem Of
perennial youth; beside him mis- cOadjutor.
Mr. S. N. White. whose faithful work as
director Of the Festival Choral Society
was TO find notable demonstration in the
performance Of his pupils. And there.
TOO. no. not there only. but here, there and
everywhere. where hand and voice we're
needed. Mr.. J. a. Bates, the man who
originated the idea OF a festival three
years ago and who has worked for 1t In
season and out of season, with an IN
selfish zeal and erdor that only those are
aware OF, who have been close to him;
who has allowed no obstacle 10 stop him,
but has persevered until he has won the
city to his belief that such an annual
musical gathering Is a public need.
Or. Palmer's welcome was just such
an one as his nature must have responded
TO- AS he came on the stage, the chorus
gave the Chautauqua salute. springng to
their feet as one person, and waving hand
kerchiefs and sparkling eyes and loud
plaudfts were the greeting he received.
The concert programme was OF high
order and included but two numbers that
had been sung at previous festivals
"reminiscences Of the Blue Danube and
"Scena from a Night in Granada" both
OF which were received with so much Ia
vor last spring as to call for their repeu-
ton. With the exception Of Mr.. W. G.
Locke, OF Charleston, a leading tenor So
ioist of that city, all of the singers were
Savanuahians, and 1t may well be doubted
whether many cities of the size Of Savan>
nah could make more creditable exhibit
ton.
The entire first part OF the programme
was taken up with the cantata Fair FL
len," a composition by Max Bruch, based
upon the well-known story of Jesse
Brown at the siege Of Lucknow. Un>
usual interest was manifested. in this num-
her. not only because Of the attention
that had been called to its dramatic
newer. but also because il was
felt that it would furnish
fair test Of the advancement Of
5he chorus beyond the point
attained a year ago. In neither particu-
lar was there any disappointment. The
music is all that was claimed for 1t, pa
thetic, spirited, brilliant and startling by
turns and from first to last its rendition
Nv both soloists and chorus vas marvel
aously perfect. The chorus work was
specially deserving of praise, exhibiting
marked steadiness and attention to shad-
ing When 1t is remembered that TO all
of the singers the score was absolutely
new less than a week ago, the proficiency
shown may well be accepted as proof OF
positive and decided musical advance
rnent, and of brilliant promise for the flu
ture.
Mrs. l. Haynes. as Fair Ellen" won
new honors in an exceedingly diihcult
part. Well known as her powers are as
a singer of great dramatic ability. ii is
doubtful if they have ever been heard TO
greater advantage.
MIR. Blois's Lord Edward was like
wise brilliant success, his rich voice be-
sng admirably adapted for the expression
of the deep feeling of his part. His high
g IN the Farewell song fairly electro
fled the house.
The second part was introduced by a
solo from Mr.. w. G. Locke, "Patria," a
song. which well displayed his powers of
voice as a "tenore robusto." 1t called for
an encore, which he rendered with great
sweetness Mr.. Locke sang also in the
third part, my AL" by Carl Bohm, in an
artistic style, which excited stu another
encore. His reception must nave Deen
gratifying to him in the extreme.
Mrs. Schreiners' 20. Mo Fernando,
was sung as everything is by that cult
waited lady, with Taste and feeling. The Sc
lection " as especially suited to her sweet
contralto voice. and won the encore that
1t deserved
One of the most pleasing numbers on
me programme was the ladies' quartette
'sAnnie Laurie" by the Misses Marie
1,esesne, Georgia Howard, julie A. Bates
and Mary Gross. In this the voices were
particularly well balanced and the effects
,Inioue and harmonious.
Concone's Judith was given by Mrs
JIaynes as a fit opening to the third part
and in II she maintained the high degree
of excellence with which she commenced
she evening. Mr.. Blois was happy in his
rendition of "A Son of the Desert" ans
his audience also.
Now the Evening Bells Are Sound
ing" from "A Night in Granada" was
one Of the most effective choruses, il
which the telling soprano voice of Mis-
Gerald Caruthers was heard at its best.
Tours Sing. Oh, Heavens" in which
Miss Howard sang the solo, was mos
charmingly rendered. The fresh swee
voice of this young lady is always pleas
ant 10 listen TO, and she did herset ful