The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1896-04-18
THE GOUN0D FESTIVAL
Il GLORIOUS CONCERT At THE
ARMORY LAST NIGHT.

Beautiful Chorus Singing-K1afslsy,P Plan
con Are the avorites-Professor Parker
Receives an Ovation After the "Harold
Harfager'-To-day's Programs Promise
Better Still.
The opening concert of the Gounod
festival at the armory last night was
one of the most glorious musical events
that our city has ever known. The
whole affair was most imposing-the
vast audience Of over three thousand
people, the magnificent chorus of near
ly three hundred singers, the famous
soloists and the orchestra. The pro-
gram enlisted the services of three well
known conductors-Mr. Agramonte,
Professor Horatio w. Parker and Mr..
Mollenhauer. The entire plan of pro-
ceedings was on an enormous scale.
The festival was a dangerous and eX-
pensive undertaking, but judging from
last nights audience, 1t is to be q tre-
mendous success Since the programs
of to-day's concerts are finer still than
last nights, there can be no doubt that
the whole affair will be, both artistical-
ly and financially, an epoch-making
event in the musical history of our
state.
The first half Cor rather first third,
as proved in matter of time), of the
program consisted Of Rosini's "Stabat
Mater" This beautiful and grateful
work has not been adequately given
here for many years. The "Stabat
Mater" Is deservedly one of the most
popular works Of all musical literature.
1t is as well beloved with the profess
sional as with the lay musician-almost
a paradox as things go here below.
Last nights performance was glori-
Gus in nearly every respect. Both cho-
rus and soioists sang the beautiful
numbers most lovingly throughout
The "Pro Peccatis' of NJ Plancon and
the "Inflamma tus" of Frau Klafsky are
never to be forgotten. Such noble per-
formances are milestones in' musi-
clans career. Such authority! 1t is
safe to say that such singing has never
been heard in these domains.
The rain undoubtedly kept some peo-
pie away, but the audience was very
large. When it is considered that the
seating capacity of the main flood is
double that of any other auditorium In
town the size of the audience Is realiz-
ed. The first four or five rows were
empty and there were a few vacant
rows that marked the division between
the $1.50 and $100 seats. Certain things
about last nights arrangement should
be corrected. Ushers should not sell
programs in the aisles during the sing
ing The chorus should not move about
so noisily. And people in leaving the
afternoon concert could save good
deal of needless trouble by using the
aisles for exit and not make headlong
rushes through the seats. There should
be some one in charge Of the carriages
at the close of the performance. These
| suggestions are made for public COM
fort.
The audiences this afternoon and eve
ming should fill every seat in the house.
These concerts are Unprecedented in the
state. Should the support not be ade-
quate the plan will be drophed with
| this first trial No only should every
musician, PROFESSIONAL and amateur,
be present, but everyone interested in
| the city's growth and development
should help to make the festival per-
manent institution. In other cities
where such enormous and expensive
festivals are held they are guaranteed
and supported by the leading business
men. No guarantors were asked for
| here, but everyone should feel some
responsibility in the matter.
rTip,a is tcn chOrt tn into detail
about last nights concert Klafsky
| was little husky and lost note in
| the duet and did not wholly regain her
self until 'Stabat Mater" But where
there is so much soul and sincerity with
such unlimited power such things do
| not count. The climax was the Love
| Death from "Tristan and Isolda." I"
| Such singing has seldom been equalled.
| Klafsky was recalled time and again.
| This number and the PRO Peccatis"
were the best received numbers of the
| evening.
Pol Plancon is not only a king among
basses, but a king among men. He is
a most imposing figure. He sang glo-
riousIy last night There lives no more
| finished artist than this Pol Plancon.
| Miss Stein never did so well here as
| last night Even Williams sang the
| "Cujus Animam,' with stunning effect,
| but the rest of his work was not as
good. Bartlett was not able to be
| present His place was taken by Davis
| of Providence.
| Prof Parker and his work were en-
| Enthusiastically received. Harold Har-
| fager" is fine work, and we have good
cause to be proud of our composer.
| The orchestra was inadequate in this
| number.
Frau Klafslly and her husband will
| be present at both concerts to-day. All
| the artists who are in town will be en-
| tertained at Traeger's after the even
! ing performance.
| Rehearsal for "Arminius" is at $50
| this morning The chorus is requested
| to be there promptly.
AS to to-day's performances. In the
afternoon Joseffy is to play two con-
certos-the beautiful Beethoven in G
major and Liszt's noblest achievement,
his A major concerto Both are mar
| velous compositions and are Joseffy's S
| greatest performances. 1t is unusual
| to hear pianist play two concertos in
| one concert, and -Hr. Joseffy's generos-
| ity cannot be too highly commended.
| No announcement concerning Max
Heinrich's art is needed. His popular
| ity is always sure and certain. He is a
wonderful man and a great musician.
| He will sing two new compositions