The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1897-10-15

iier and with motions which sometimes
seem almost grotesque to the auditor, but
which bring the desired result from the
singers. During the rehearsal, a particu-
larly good passage he greeted with a
shout OF good" or "bravo," and the
hS5ie speeches which he made to the per-
formers, while the audience could not
near them, must have been appreciated
oy the choruses judging from the applause
WIN which they were received. In fact
une rehearsal, both for the singers and
tne handful of auditors, was an enjoya-
Die feature of the festival
Inc concert was pronounced success.
lhere were apparently about 1000 peopl Q
IN the building, which is capable of hold
ing from 5000 to $780, But the vigor Of
the applause diverted attention from the
vacant seats. The chorus made an at
tractive picture. The stage was flooded
with light and the ladies wore evening
dress. the white costumes being in strik-
ing contrast to the black coats of the
men. Mayor Beal opened the Festival in
speech in which he praised Mr.. Chap
man and predicted the success of the
Festival in this and succeeding years.
Speaking of the building, the Mayor said:
You can get anything you want in Ban
gor." A sentiment which was loudly ap.
plauded. In conclusion he introduced
Mr.. Chapman, who was given an ovation.
Tue work of the chorus was surprise
even to those who had expected great
things Of them. They sang with rich
ness and volume Of tone, and delicacy of
shading and precision which speak vol
umes for the ability of these Maine sing
ers and their careful training. Apart from
the chorus singing, the interest of the
evening oentered in the appearance of
Nine. Nordica. The famous singer was
never in better voice. When she appeared,
sheSwas greeted with round after round of
applause, ladies waving their handker-
chiefs and men rising to cheer her. She
wore magnificent dress Of white satin
and many jewels sparkled on her neck
and shoulders. The applause was repeated
at the close of the selection, The fine
voices OF Mr.. Williams and Dr. Duff
were heard to just advantage and they
| came back several times to bow their
Acknowledgements There were no en-
cores.
| Gov. Powers and members Of his staff
occupied seats in the gallery.
| This first concert leaves no doubt of the
artistic success of the Festival. Speaking
Of it to the PRESS correspondent, Mr..
| Chapman said that 1t exceeded his ex-
pectations in every way.
| This was oratorio night and the follow
ng was the programme:
Mayerbeer-Cor March.
| Observation-Disclosures Chorus, Messiah, -
| why Do the Nations Rage" DR.. Carl
E. Duff.
! Mendelssohn-"T Thanks Be To God, y
/ elijah, ''Ir With All Your Hearts, !"
I H. Evan Williams.
'.Hear Ye, Israel" Nine. Nordica.
'sBe Not eAfraid."
| Intermission.
Rossini-S Selections from "Stabat Mat
| err
Soprano-Mme. Lillian Nordica.
| Contralto-Miss Grace G. Couch.
| Tenor-H. Evan Williams.
| Bass-Carl E. Duff.
Chorus and Orchestra.
| Of the soloists who will take part In
the concerts here and in Portland, Nine.
Nordioa, while in Bangor is the guest of
Mr.. and Mrs. Arad Thompson; Miss
Couch and Mrs. Barnum are at the home
of Mr.. and Mrs. W. P. W. aVeazie, Mrs.
Barney Is at the Bangor house; Mr.
Gwilym Miles and Mr.. H. Evans Will
liams are at the Penobscot Exchange and
Dr. Carle E. Duff is at the Bangor
house.
afternoon. and the programme, in ad-
dition to the musical numbers, will in.
olude Mrs. Hermann Kotzsohar's lecture
on the "Outline and Growth of Music. I"
Mr.. Fulton will sing Balfes "Come into
the Garden, Maud;"' and with Mr.. Will
liams will give Balfe's. Excelsior. Miss
Grace &. Couch will be heard in HE
Was Desptsed,' from Handel's "Mes-
siah." Friday evening will be opera
night, and the soloists will be Gwilym
Miles and Nordica. Mime. Nordica will
sing lsolde"s Liebstod, from Christian ad
Isolde The programme will also in
clude the Miserere scene from "Il 1rova-
| uoAo WAN Nillo. NOTUlCd as LeOnOra,
and Mr.. Evan Williams as Manruco; the
prayer and finale from "Lohengrin," in
which Nine, Nordica, Miss Couch, Mr.
Fulton and Mr. Miles will be heard; the
prize song from Die Meistersinger, by
Mr.. Williams and the sextette and chorus
| from Lucia, Nine Nordica, Miss Carll-
smith, Messrs Williams, Fulton, Miles and
Meyn, appearing. The concert for Satur-
day afternoon will be devoted to Maine
composers and singers.
The concluding concert on Saturday
evening Will be devoted to programme
of popular music. Mr. Miles, Miss
Carllsmith, Nine. Blauvelt, and Mrs.
Sawyer will be the soloists.
L 49,