The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-05-21

Mayor Taggart and family occupied front
rows in the balcony last night The mayor
Is a festival enthusiast
The police arrangements at the entrance
awning last night We're admirable, ana the
carriages were handled very promptly.
Mr. Oliver Willard Pierce was presented
with large laurel wreath tied with white
satin ribbons after his magnificent rendi-
ton of the Chora! Fantasia.
Nine. De Vere-Sapio wore a handsome
gown of light bTocaded satin combined
with embroidered white chiffon. The cors-
age was low and square and bordered with
fleecy lace.
Prof ]. S. Black was an interested listen
er al the concert and he remarked that the
chorus would be four times as beautiful If
the acoustic properties OF Tomlinson Han
were better.
Miss Walker wore an elegant gown of
Dresden striped brocade with corsage or
pink silk draped with accordion plated
white chiffon dotted with spanges. In her
hair was white aigrette.
A particularly pleasing part in the or
chestration for the cantata was the narp
accompaniment for the tenor solos. Mrs.
Lawrence, who plays the instrument is a
sympathetic and artistic harplst.
Mr. Van der Stucken was accorded
hearty reception when he made his appear
ance for the first time, and Mr.. ErnestinoH,
the assistant musical director who came
in and took his seat with the chorus. was
roundly applauded by the appreclalVe
chorus and audience. He shares with Mr.
Van der Stucken in the honors OF the fes-
tival
Nine. De Vere-Sapio was so often re-
called after her Mozart aria that she re-
turned to the platform, stepped 70 me
piano and hurriediy pulled on her gloves,
which was the signal for demonstration,
and she sang, in keeping with the charac-
ter of the programme. an aria by Gluck,
captiva ting with her willingness as well as
with the song.
One of the central figures in the mems
chorus is Prof. A. ErneStinoff, the assist
ant musical director of the festival A
great deal of credit is due to Mr.. Ernes-
tnof for drilling the chorus, and to MIN
and Mrs. Perle Wilkinson for the drilling
OF the childrens chorus. All of the pre-
urinary work with the children was done
by these two musicians.
IF ever l was in paradise saiu an en-
thusiaStic woman yesterday, 1T. was When
/ heard those children sing the cantata
Their fresh, sweet voices, such nice lntontl-
ton, with such clean enunciatlon ana Sucn
excellent expression were a perfect delight.
/ should like to hear them several times
but shall have TO content myself with a
single time at the festival similar eX-
pressions were heard from others who
heard the rehearsal with the orchestra.
Signor Righini, the husband of Miss Rus
sell was one of the auditors last night. He
is an accomplished Italian and has heard
many of the leading choruses of the world
sing. He expressed surprise at the excel
lence of the indianapolis chorus which he
thinks will compare faVoraby with the
principal choruses of England. At most of
the English festivals the chorus is not quite
so large as the one in this city. why don
you folks out here have something sent to
the English musical journals about your
great festivals in Indianapolis" said he.
1.-The Cincinnati festival is we'll known in
England, and when an artist starts for
this country he is always ambitious to sing
at the Cincinnati festival on account of its
great repute. Your festival deserves to be
as well known there"