Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-05-16
THE WEDNESDAY CLUBS FESTIVAL
4 Large Audience Present at the
Concluding Concert Inst Night.


1t has been said that music-lovers do
not applaud at concerts. II this be a
truism. then the magnificent audience
which greeted the Wednesday Club and
the soloists who assisted them in their
May-festival concert at the Academy last
night was an exception TO the rule. They
applauded vigorously and loudly every
number on the programme, and showed
their high appreciation Of the grand
music rendered by frequent encores. Dir.
Mackenzie Gordon, the tenor foloist, was
given q double encore on his last number.
The floral decorations. which had added
so much TO the pleasure OF the opening
night were unchanged, ana, with the
many lovely young ladies on the stage,
forming a background for the handsomely
dressed audience, The scene was one OF
striking loVclncss.
The first number on me prograinne,
Ni.ndelssohn's "Ruy Bias" rendered by
the Baltimore Oratorio Orchestra, was
well executed and well received. This
was followed by a baritone solo. "Torea-
dor" from Carmen, by MI Harry J..
Chase Mr.. Chase was given 1ull scope 70
display the richest tones OF his magnih-
cent voice I'M this solo. and he won q
spontaneous burst Of applause. which con
tiuued into an encore. He responded with
otto Canton's "Oh, Fair, on, Sweet ana
Holy" which he sang with great eN-
preston.
MME. ORTMAN MADE HER BOW.
Mime. Richard Ortman, the soprano,
whose advent had been looked forward TO
with so much eagerness by the music
lovers Of this city, made her appear
ance when Mr.. Chase lett the stage ana
was cordially greeted. she has fine
voice of exceeding high range. and sang
Johann Strsuss's Spring Song with
Great expression. She was vociferousy
encored. and responded with Micaeia'
song from Carmen"
RE Wednesday Club then sang two
numbers-"Who is sylvia" and Pinsuti's
Spring Song" The 10 voices IN the
chorus. under the skilful direction OF Mt
Arthur ScriVeror sang in harmonious
unison. and with wonderful volume and
sweetness They were forced 10 repeat
their rendition OF who is sylvia
Upon his next appearance Mr.. GORDON
Gang three uurnbers-BOchen's still we
Me Nocht." Bochen's Thine" and Loeb
Iomond" (old Scotch. His melodious
notes so captivated his hearers that they
insisted on hearing more or them, ana
he responded to to tae T TqG0gf VIVA which
he sang behind the scenes with remark
able pathos. one Of the prettiest fea-
lures Of the elaborate programme was
the march and chorus, han bflEnl
Abode" (Wagner, rendered py the ciup
and orchestra. -
The second part OF the programme
opened with an intermezzo by thS oICneS,
ira from "Cavaleria Rusticaha, MhCn
WAS followed by Mendelssohn's lntelce,
spne With great sweetness by Nine. Ort-
Noun AS an encore she sang spring
i''. yorrnoscd bv O. Wen. Messrs. Cor
don and chase followed with Longfellow,'s
..Tsvcelsior''; a duet, by Balfe, and then the
Wednesday Club sang two part songs
CARROTS 30. My Love is Like Red neg
PC" and Macfarren's The Sands O.
No. The latter was rendered in de-
scriptive fashion and was most solemnly
inpressiye. and called forth an encore,
Mr. Gordon rendered as me e con heIns
t,,,ica encored, sang very sweetly Hope
remDIe's "Fond Heart, Farewell,
MI concluding number on the pro-
eramme. Handers "Halleluiah' CMessiah)
vas sung by the club, the audience stand
M was stated last night that the re-.
ootots from the two concerts had not
boen sufficient TO defray the expense OF
the festival.