Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-05-07
THE MAY FESTIVAL.
OPENING CONCERT LAST NIGHT A
BRILLIANT ARTISTIC SUCCESS.
FOUR NOTED SOLOISTS WERE HEARD
Fine work by the Festival Chorus
and Observation-Disclosures scrivenor
Greeted with n shower OF Fiowers'
Much Enthusiasm shown.

II II be true that "music hath charms
TO sooth the savage breast II Is equally
so that when exhibited in its purity, 1t
has a powerful tendency to refine the
bosom OF civilization. That both remorks
are founded in fact appears from the at
tentiye observation and deep experience
NJ ages. Some, in all nations, have, by
tho harmony Of sounds, been preserved
from vice: others have been reclaimed.
Can the great masters, when proush'
10 life by those who enthusiastically ad-
rnire their genius. and rehearse their iays'
contribute aught but purity, suolimity'
and Observation-Disclosures to the youthiu'
and to the aged? Good music exerts an
influence the most benign. Why' 'hen'
is It not more encouraged?
There are many things with US 10
weaken the force of any appeal which
music. through the performance OIL her
sublimest works, might make. To say
nothing of our comparatively few oppor-
tunities of hearing music or the hlen
est kind, and worthily performer; OF
the neglect of a general CULTIVATION not
only for a taste, but even an ear Tor mu-
-there is the want of sufficient rever-
ence for music as an art, which prevents
and makes impossible any full and efec-
tive manifestation of it's power among us.
THE WEDNESDAY CLUBS WORK.
For the first time for many years IN
Richmond has an artistic demonstratioli
bsen made. and carried through upon
grand scale without false promise or
vain showing. The best thing, the most
hopeful thing, about II, Is tnat IL mas an
been honest. Nothing OF artistic INTEGRITY
and value has been sacrinced 10 lhere
money-making views. They who under
took il. OF course, hoped to succeed, put
they were more anxious TO do good
thing. They were not so eager 10 adSer
tise 1T. to excite great expectations OF
what should be done as tney were 70 90
IT, and do the best that could be done.
Every promise has been kept TO the letter,
and the spirit. The wednesday CiuD nave
done themselves all honor in the. prem
sses, They have their reward ,sohs ~ ~ tbeir anr
festival in the conviction, now created,
of its genuineness, and in the certainty
that such sound seed SO planted shaii
surely spring up TO abundant harvest III
the future. There will be more festivals.
| They will become an institution In hicn-
mond which will be as distinguished LOT
her culture of this noble science, TINS d.
vine art. as she already Is for her CONNER
| arged philanthropy, and her increasing
| Importance.
FESTIVAL OPENS AUSPICIOUSLY.
The opening Of the May Music Festival
| at the Academy last night was the most
! brilliant event of the season. To be sure,
| there were some vacant seats IN tne
| house. but all the best were filled by the
| fashion and culture of the city. and en-
| thusiasm was at the flood. The stage nau
been extended, and above IT, from an
| improvised ceiling TO prevent the sound
| from being lost in the flies" hung
| number of Japanese lanterns, lighted with
| electricity. The stage and boxes were
| draped with flags. national and Confede-
rate. and the dress circle was also deco
| rated with yellow drapery. The scene was
a beautiful one.
The concert opened with the overture
| from "Oberon," played inimitaDly by the
famous Boston Festival orchestra Tne
| noble chorus. Han, Bright ABODE, was
nobly sung by the festival chorus. and
then Mr.. J. II. Mckinley gave Gounod's
Lend Me Your Aid" Mr.. Mckinley is
not only because his singing is free from
that disagreeable bleat-that open.
white" tone which is so often heard
but also on account or his artlStlc
methods. finished phrasing. clear enuncia-
ton and musical temperament. The voice
has a rich warm quality that Is some
times forced. but that comes rather from
the dramatic impulse than. faulty
method. He is not the usual ut-and-dr'ed
reputation oratorio tenor for he is not
choked by tradition. nor is he afraid 10
show his feelings: sauvity OF tone there
was. exquisite verbal discrimination, and
lots of fire and feeling.
THE OTHER SOLOISTS.
Miss Jennie Mae Spencer gave the scene
and air from Donna Caritea.' she has
a voice of agreeable quality. well cult
waited and of unexpected power, meeting
every technical difficulty with ease and
grace.
Meyn, who sang the Evening Star"
from "Tannhauser." and, in. response to
an enthusiastic encore, gave the toreadors
song from Carmen" His delivery IS
honest and manly, and he gave much ana
legitimate pleasure.
The subject Of common curiosity. born
of fattering reports, was Mrs. Frances
Dunton Wood. There is no gainsaying
her success. and it was very well de,
served. Her voice has wide range, and
wonderful elasticity. Her trllls are per-
feet. and her cadenzas are taken with a
mastery ease and finish.
SUPERB CHORUS WORK.
The Festival Orchestra under Mr.. Emil
Mollenhauser. did splendid work. and the
chorus work in the ''Sun Worshippers,"
with which the programme closed, was
generally commendable. Special praise is
due TO Mr. Arthur Scrivenor. the con-
ductor of the society. He Is animated
with great ZEAL ana MS eHOrtS utStTNc
recognition. When on the conductors
stand. his gestures were graceful, his
movements easy; his beat was distinct
and sure; there was no hesitation; no
affection about his manner. He beat
time for the musicians. and not FOR the
audience 1t was very happy tribute 10
his popularity and his worth that at his
entrance he should have been greeted
with shower of flowers from the mem
bers of the chorus.
THE CONCERTS TO-DAY.
There will be afternoon and evening
concerts to-day. The programme VIII pc:
Afternoon-Overture. Lee Carnaval ho-
main," (Berlioz,) Festival Orchestra; vio-
lin concerto (Op. ~, (Weinlawski) MI.
Moerenhout and Festival Orchestra; aria,
"Che Faro" (Orpheus), (GluclO Miss
Spencer; minuet (by requesO. Of. c. HahrD
Festival Orchestra; piano concerto, sym
phonie National Hollandaise," Miss Lit
tie and Festival Orchestra; scene. La
Mort de Jeanne dare" (Bemberg) Miss
Spencer: overture, Die Meistersinger'
CWagner) Festival Orchestra.
ADMINISTRATIONS from "st. Paul
good, Mr. Mckinley. Mr.. Meyn, Festival
Chorus and Orchestra; intermisson; over
ture. '1Sl2" (Tschaikowski) Festival Or
chestra; aria from Jean de Paris
Gloildieu) Mt Meyn: andante from quar-
tette i'm h fat. CrschaikowskiD Festival
String Orchestra; aria from II Bar
blere," Rossini) Miss Stewart. choruses
Red Red Rose" (b) The Sands o'Dee,"
IG. A. Macfarren.) the Wednesday Club
nv requesD; aria from Samson and
nelilah'" (Saint- -Saens) Mrs. Bloodgood:
nrize song from "Die Meistersnger"
fWegner) Mr.. Mckinley; overture, Tam