The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1896-06-09
NATIONAL SAENGERFEST.
brilliant Opening Last Nlght-PrsHIlsnt
Cleveland Touches the Button,


PITTSBURGH, Pa, June S,-The
twenty-eighth national Baengerfest was
formally opened tonight at Musie Hnll,
Exposition building when President
Cleveland, at Washington, pressed the
button which illuminated the electrical
Tyre. The Tyre Is placed Just back Of the
singers gallery. and In plRin view OF the
audience. At S:ig, when the illumination
took place. the hall was filled TO Its Gu
paclty, fully 5000 people being present:
The lighting OF the Tyre was the signal
for the most enthusiastic applause after
which the grand symphony orchestra,
under Director Heinrich Zollner per-
formed the Kaiser March by Wagner.
Then followed the programme as an
nounccd which was carried out TO the
letter.
The visitors were welcomed by Lieu
tenant Governor Lyons, representing
the governor Of the state, and by Mayors
Ford and Gcyer, speaking for PITTS
burgh and Allegheny respectively. "Old
Folks at Home was rendered by the
festival chorus and Rev. Father Runit
delivered the festival orntIon.
The several numbers which followed,
given by the associated singers of Pitts
burGh and Allegheny, were heartily ap-
plauded. The first nights entertain
ment closed with the singing or the
"Star Spanglcd Banner" by the festival
chorus. The soloists Df the evening were
Grace Dnmain. Agnes NOgel- Roberts,
II. u. Brockett and a. ]. Baernstein, all
local singers. Their Efforts were accord
ed the heartiest approval.
Tomorrow two concerts VIII be given.
At the one in the afternoon the prin-
cipal feature will be the children's
chorus from the public schools. COM
posed OF 5000 voices. which Will sing
"AmerIca," "Our Fair Land Forever"
and the Watch on the Rhine"
WASHINGTON. d. C., June s.-Pres-
idcnt Cleveland formally opened the
National Saengerfest nj Pittsburgh,
Pa, Mt S o'clock tonight. by pressing an
electric button IN the executive man
sion here he closed an electric curcult,
the immediate effect Of which was to
Illuminate in the hall In which the Sacn-
gCrfcst IS held. an immense American
nag formed OF hundreds Of beautifully
coiOrni lncandeScent lights. Besides the
president there were present Mr Thur
bcr. his private secretary, and Mr..
Montgomery, one OF the executive clerks
in charge OF telegraph office. Before
touching the button Mr.. Cleveland
sent the following telegram to the
chairman OF the rommlttce on arrange
mGnts OF the Saengerfest:
'T send hearty congratulations to the
National SaenEsrfest and perform my
part in its inauguration with sincere
wish for the complete success OF this
festival OF song"
The message was read TO the as
sembled thrnhg IN exposition hall and
then when the operator Mt thu other end
made the signal 20. k" the President
touched the buttOn.
Promptly after came the following
telegram addressed to the President:
"EXPOSITION HALL, PITTSBURGH,
Pa, June S.
Permit me in the name and by au-
tporlty OF the executive committee, Of
the Twenty-clGhth National Saenger-
fest OF North American Saengerbund,
to thank you most heartily for your
generous words and kindly offices in
opening our grand festival"
Yours respectfully,
---- JOHN DIMLING.
President Fest Committee"
Subsequently word came that the
opening was a great success and that
great enthusiasm prevailed.