New-York tribune., 1897-06-22
NITIOYaL SAENGERFEST OPENED.
THOUSANDS OF GERMAN SINGERS ASSEM-
BLEp IN pHILADELPHIA-THE MUSIC
AND THE SPEAKING.

Philadelphia June 2i CSpeclaD.-The eighteenth
National singerfest Of the Northeastern sa"se' o"''
made an auspcious beginning here this e''""s'
That L. ID say there many thOusahuS !" AZ
tendance the first meeting. VINO were oo''' ''-
an hour by the ceremonies without when no yer
man festival can be begun, and pleasantly ehtef-
tainod for two hours more by local singers anu III
srumentalists There no manifestation e'"''
OF surprise disappointment. when dispatches COZ
vcylng official expressions Of regret n inaDi'S "
attend from the PRECEDENT and the Vce-Pfcs'oeh' VI
the United States and the Governor OF Pennsylvania
read Evidently the audience had a'Feauy
understood the announcement that 'hess august
functlonaries would exhibit themselves IN PICK
wckian sense, or willing 10 be spared the ora
tory which their presence would have made heceS-
sary.
There is nothing more absurd than tho cere-
monous speechmaking at these monster gu'ne'
ings. unless II be the matter spoken. when. as
rule, IL startling by the manner in when II makes
historical fact wait upon rhetoric. The president
OF the Festival Committee. Arno Leonhardt. calmly
appropriated credit for Philadelphia or having
esta ablished these German singing festivals IN the
United States. although they are distinctly west
ern product the first having been held in Gin
clnnat in 1919 But much Is TO be pardohed 10
the enthusiasm inspired in the German heart by
these gatherings wherefore also. It is unwise Tor
the critic to bring with him the standard by when
he ordinarily measures musical doinSs at Ho"e
Better to note. with proper appreciation, the IN
nucnce Of the festival on the social life OF the
community its promotion of good-feowship ana
general good-humor and its furtherance OF peer
consumption It is from this point OF view tha'
the opening Of the eighteenth festival deserves 10
be described as extremely auspicious.
The audience almost filed the immense nan
that had been built for the festival, although IL
was known that only local singers would take
part in the concert. The hall makes an agreeable
impression on the eye, although It Is far and
away too large for any musical erect except such
as can be made by "a chorus of thousands: IL was
plain that the singers of Philadelphia had entered
into the festival scheme most heartily. for there
seemed be fully two thousand or thern-ali men
on the platform, who blended their voices In the
Festival ode composed by Eugene klee. VINO con-
ducted the concert. There were also several nun
dred women who waited 10 take part In later
numbers There also solo pieces by singers
who are admired here. and orchestral music py
band which acquitted itself respectfully but must
not be criticised. , -,
The speakn done by Arno Leonhardt fest,
val PRESIDENT. Mayor Warwick and Major carr
Lentz, president of the Sdngerbund There was
also solemn presentation and acceptance OF a
handsome banner, but all these things were put
mummcry TO nine-tcnths of the people in the haIl
The real work OF the festival will begin to-nor-
afternoon. when thirty-six societies. DIVIDED
into three classes, according to number VIII sing
for prizes In the evening the first mass concert
will take place. at which the Iiederkrantz OF New
York will sing three solo numbers. H. T.. E.