The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1897-10-20

Hans Krouold.
every one who was in the audience last
night. Not that as great artists have not
been heard here or that some of the num-
bers that have become household words
have not been executed fully as we'll if
not better bysthem. But never have they.
been heard before with the addition of
such a glorious chorus. Musical men,
W no are identified with choral work from
abroad, said yesterday that it never has
been their good fortune to hear such
superb volume of tone under such perfect
control. Now that's a compliment for
not only the chorus to be proud Of, but
their instructors, and the great master
haT of the whole Festival, Mr.. W. R.
Chapman.
The concert began with Weber's over
ture to "Oberon," that charming opera
whose book was compiled from Shakes
peare's Midsummer Nights Dream
The beauty of Weber's overtures is that
they are masterpieces of imagination and
expression and they present, in a frame
as it were, complete outline of the entire
"Oberon" is complete, vigorous, ana
jubilant, while in it the highly effective
bassoon, flute and horn notes. and the
sprightly progression of wood and string
instruments give an ETHEREAL character in
perfect tone with the fairy realm of
melody that forms the prevailing theme
was exquisitely set forth by the orchestra
who played with great expression and
gave many telling effects.
1t was in the "Tannhauser," in 1874,
hat Richard Wagner, that colossal genius,
aimed to show what the real music Of the
future should be; that opera, drama,
symphony, should no longer exist separ-
ateIy, but that they should be combined
SO a.; to be entirely realistic. Here the
great chorus and the orchestra showed
what results can be obtained at the hand
of a thoroughly appreciative WagDerian
student in the person of their director,
Mr.. Chapman. The alternate choruses of
the ''Hail Bright Abode were sung
with great spirit and the orchestra
brought out the tonal effects in praise
worthy manner.
Mr.. Evans Williams gave the prize song
from 1.-THE Meistersinger, finely. He
was received with great enthusiasm, and
he sang it with great dignity and express
sion, The orchestra was in perfect accord
with him and really sang the accompani-
nent. The audience demanded an encore
and when he was called back they pre-
sented him magnificent bouquet, and
when it was presented, again the applause
was deafening The great Soldiers chorus
from Faust with its marked time, its
triumphant swing, and its grand body of
tone was given by the chorus with vim
~
the enthusiasm that 1t provoked.
Isolde's Liebestod, from Wagner's
Tristan and Isolde" introduced Nine
Nordica in music in which che has made
herself famous. When the great prima
donna has been selected by the wife of the
great composer to assume a leading role
in one of her husbands operas, as Nine.
Wagner did when she secured the great
Maine singer to take the part of Elsa in
'Lohengrin," it is certain that those
who hear her in the Wagner music hear
her at her best. And it is in this song of
lsolde's, one of the great characters of the
Niebelungen, that Mime. Nordica was
heard. The severe and trying character
of the Wagner music is as nothing to the
celebrated singer. The number was not
OF a popular character, but 1t gave an
admirable chance to mark the artistic
Apparently without effort, with great
feeling, she rendered this beautiful selec-
ton, and the holding of the final notes
seemed more like musical breathing
rather than singing. AS on the previous
evening she was recalled again and again
and gave her a superb bouquet. Her cos
tune was, of course, of great elegance,
pink satin with garnitrIre of purple
flowers. Diamonds blazed from all parts
Of her dress and she wore her superb
tiara.
Mr.. Heinrich Meyn, appeared in the
3oioddoI SOuS OdrIucu III WulCu
Del Puente has conquered the musical
world. Who can forget his splendid in
depreciation of the Spanish bull fighter.
Mr.. Meyn has a fine baritone, he has
evidently been careful student, he sings
honestly, and conscientiously, with spirit
and tremendously. He too, was recalled
and remembered horally.
The first part of the programme closed
with. Verdi's great scene from "Trova-
tore our dear old never-to- be-forgotten
friend the Miserere'' with EMme.s Nor
dica for the Leanora and Mr.. Williams
heard them in{ their prime, ever forget
La Grange as Leonora and Brignoli as
Manrico, Fort even later, Nelson as
Leonora, and Campanini as Manrifo. 1t
is one of the most expressive numbers
known to the operatic stage, and it was
one of the great successes last night.
line phrasing, and Williams beautiful
sweet voice We're heightened in effect by
that great chorus so powerful, so impress
sive. When the applause reached its
helght the two great singers returned
bringing Mr.. Chapman between them
and all three bowed to audience and
chorus which was wildly waving hand
kerchiefs and swinging hats.
During the intermission the chorus
called out MI. Homer N. Chase, Mr..
Chapman and Mrs. Chapman, and tried
to get Mr.. E. A. Noyes, but that gentle
man did not respond. Mr.. Chapman
made telling speech thanking all these
gentlemen. the newspapers and railroads,
besides the little knot of ladies and
gentlemen who had vorkad earlx, ard 10 70