The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1897-07-15
The rlaine Musical Festival Concert,

cal Festival was given at Belfast Opera
House Friday evening and notwithstaud-
ing the hot weather there was good attend
ance. The Belfast Chorus and members of
the Rockland Chorus we're on the platform
and the Belfast Band had seats in front.
The concert throughout was a very enjoy
able one. The choruses and the selections
by the band were finely rendered, while the
applause which greeted the soloists showed
that their efforts were appreciated by the
audience. The concert opened with the
overture, "Zanetta" by Auber, by the Bel
fast Band. Mayor Fletcher then appeared
and in brief speech introduced the Manager
OF the Maine Musical Festival, Prof William
II. Chapman of New York. Prof. Chapman
spoke very encouragingly of the prospects
of the coming Festival which is to be held
IN two cities, Bangor and Portland Lewis
ton was first decided on, but as they were
unable TO furnish building of sufficient
capacity, Bangor was appealed to- That
city went at the enterprise with a will and
soon had the guarantee that a suitable
building would be erected. But the chorus
outgrew the expectations of its project
ors and it was soon found that even
Bangol's proposed building, which was
to be the largest single building in the State,
would be insufficient. 1t was then decided
to hold two festivals, one for Eastern Maine
at Bangor, to include as far west as Rock
land and the Kennebec county cities, and
one at Portland for the remainder of the
State. The programs at the two are to be
identical as regards the selections and out
side talent, but of course with different local
choruses. Prof. Chapman spoke in high
praise of the Belfast Band, which he said
"Is the best band I've heard" He was pro-
fuse i'll his praises of the efficiency of the
Belfast Chorus and of the progress they
have made in the short time that has elapsed
since they began practice. Much of the
credit for this, he said, is due to the skill and
the untiring labors of the local director, Mr.
Elbridge S. Pitcher.
The soloists, accompanies, etc, were as
follows Mrs. Lou Duncan Barney, Soprano;
Miss Blanche L, Sullivan, Soprano; Miss
Susan Dinsmore, Contralto; DR., 7. E. Tib-
belts, Baritone; Mr.. B. A. Roundy, Cornet;
Ml "A OduUOIuy lOllu NES. Udu6S
Wight, Accompanies Miss Mary E. Faunce,
Accompanist.
The program was as follows:
FIRST PART.
Overture, "Zanetta,' Auber.
Belfast Band.
Remarks, William Il. Chapman.
Gloria, 18th Mass, Mozart.
Chorus.
Song, For All Eternity" Masch eronai
Miss Sullivan.
Violin Cbligato by Mr.. Sanborn
Evening, Lassen.
Song, Awake, Dear Maid,'' Dessauer.
Mrs. Barney.
Hallelujah Chorus, (From "The Messiah
Chorus. Handel.
SECOND PART.
Paraphrase, "Melody in F." Rubinstein.
Belfast Band.
Song, "If were King" Armitage
DR.. Tibbetts.
Be Not Afraid, (Ehjah) Mendelssohn.
Chorus.
Song, "Penso,' Tosti.
Miss Dinsmore.
Cornet Solo, "Shepherd's Morning Song"
Mr.. ROunuy. Suppe.
Only Thou, Lassen,
co,os (a) "This would | do" Chapman.
''Ns' [ (b) Happy Days, Strelzki.
Mrs. Barney
Violin obligato by Mr.. Sanborn.
Soldiers Chorus (from Faust) Gounod.
Chorus.
Many of the selections drew forth hearty
encores and Mrs, Barney received hand
some bouquet from the audience She gave
as an encore to her first song "Swallow,
Rowing Swallow" by Davis, and to the sec
OD6 sba
belts sang as an encore, "The Happy
Three" by R9ckel; Miss Dinsmore sang
"The Dying Flower by Rotoi.