The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-05-16
COMING FESTIVAL WEEK
THE REHEARsALs AND CONCERTS
WILL OCCUPY EVERY NIGHT.
Extra arrangements to Insure Artis-
tie CornpIeteness-Thc Great Array
of Artists and Chorus.

The much talked-of and eagerly expected
Indianapolis May Music Festival will be the
latter part Of this week. That it will be
the greatest in the history Of these annual
Entertainments it is confidently believed by
those who are familiar with its many at
tractive features. With an ensemble of
artists including Nine. Emma Calve, Miss
Ella Russell, Mime. Clementine De We're
Sapfo. Mr.. Ffrangcon-Davies, Mr.. Barron
BerthaId. Mr.. Evan Williams, Miss Sara
LAYTON Walker and Mr.. Oliver Willard
Pierce: with the greas Cincinnati Sym
ubony Orchestra of sixty skilled musicians;
with the thoroughly drilled festival chorus
of nearly four hundred singers, and with
programmes that are most attractive and
varied, the festival cannot well fail to be
an artistic success in every particular.
That it viii be a financial success as well
is Indicated by the unusually large advance
sale Of seats.
The purpose OF these annual festivals of
song is the advancement of the musical
culture Of the city and State and the
bringing to indianapolis of NAM people
from other towns. That it will be success
full in both these things is already evident,
and it only remains for the music-loving
people 10 give IL Sut4l oil tilllAS4dSt4C ant
generous support that will make it fnan-
ciaIy satisfactory and guarantee its con-
tinuance.
This will be really festival week" for
while the concerts viii 30 'aze place IN
til the last three days, tEs -earsals win
attract much attention, ps~--ding them.
The children's chorus will rehearse at
TomIinson Hall tomorrow and Wednesday
afternoons. The big chorus will have re-
hearsals each night, beginning tomorrow,
and Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons
and Thursday morning. The directors do
not want to appear d~iscourteous. but they
say it is absolutely necessary to have these
rehearsals private. The ladies OF the
chorus will each be allowed to have one
escort to the night rehearsals, and but
for these and the festival officials and
newspaper representatives, no one will be
admitted. This rule will be rightly en-
forced by the doorkeepers. The contracts
with the artists provide that their re-
hearsals shall be strictly private.
EXTRA ORCHESTRA REHEARSALS.
The orchestra will arrive here at noon on
Tuesday from Cincinnati Tor the first re-
haarsal that afternoon. The artists will
come on Wednesday. BY Getting the or
chestra here so far in advance of the fes-
tival five extra rehearsals can be held,
and the results of these win undoubtedly
be more perfect ensemble effects than ever
before. A large force of men is getting the
hall in readiness and the extra platform
and chairs viii all be in this evening. To-
morrow the work of decorating viii begin.
There viii be a great many extra electric
lights put in and the large chandeliers in
the enter will be pulled up. so as not to
Interfere with tho H-iay- from tho REQ hal
COny and gallery.
The festival arrangements will be of the
usual kind. The afternoon concerts Will
begin promptly at 2;39 o'clock and the
evening concerts at SIS. None of the en-
tertainments will be more than two hours
in duration. At the beginning of each the
doors will be closed and viii not be opened
for late Corners until a convenient place in
the programme is reached. IN approach
from the west, and after the concerts from
the east. There will be a number OF police
TO preserve order and prevent confusion
TRIBUTES TO THE ARTISTS.
The principal artists who will sing at the
festival nave all been highly praised for
their work in the East during the last few
weeks. Nine. D. Vere-Sapio sang in a con-
cert in New York city a few lights ago
and the Herald OF that city said of her:
'Clementine De We're returns with the same
pure vibrant organ, grown larger, but flex-
ible as ever. She sans an air from Mas
Benet's Esclarmonde with flowing breadth
ard artistic care in phrasing. Her style is
still large and dramatic, and the bell-like
timbre of her voice has lost nothing during
her period of absence. Scales. trills and
staccati Were brilliant and distinct, and the
in provement in volume. with a larger
grasp IN style, was particularly obvious in
this number. She has feeling and dramatic
5lstlhct, ana with a voice fresh and bril-
L1tl, alu ner energies evidently in buoy
81 condlt}o@ she is a welcome and Valu-
able return 70 our concert stage"
or Miss ella Russells singing in Eli
Jan, IN New York city, the Musical Cou-
Iler said: Miss Ella Russell sang with pur-
lty, Vlbrancy and force. Oratorio is oh
viously her field par excellence. Her die
uoh Is eNcellently clear and expressive. her
accent dramatic and there is a dignity and
a tervor in her delivery which in
teulgent sympathy at once. Her voice.
winch has the clear, penerrant quality of a
slINer trumpet, is highly effective in solo
work, and her singing of Hear Ye. Israel
marked by dramatic feeling, great vocal
beauty and artistic finish in phrasing
proved an episode in oratorio singing worth
the memorizing. The crystalline VIbrancv
OF Miss Russelfs voice is rarely satisfying.
il ensemble music she is apt, without eff
fort, to carry off the honors, the firm mtI-
seal Vlbrancy of her tone carrying clearly
above and beyond the average singers with
whom she may find herself in harness. This
was most tellingly evidenced in the double
quartet. For He Shall Give His Angels ;
her voice in this case showing like polished
steel against n comparatively thick PASTE
like background. There can be no possible
doubt that Ella Russell is the most telling
authoritative singer in oratorio heard bv
Americans in many a day.
Mr.. Evan Williams gave forth a prodi-
gal volume of tenor tone and DISPLAYED
much feeling and dramatic power. His ma
tive endowment is a rich one. and with the
further study which he needs should one
early day land him on prominent vocal
heights
In speaking of the work of Mr.. Ffrang-
nAr Nn~Faa #IA 49, 49,
Ffrangcon-Davies Will end a season of un-
precedented success at Indianapolis. where
he viii sing the principal baritone parts
at the indianapolis festival. Mr.. Davies
win sail for Europe on May %. after hav-
ing established himself most firmly in
American favor. Mr. Davies has met with
a series of artistic triumphs this year. His
principal successes were in the baritone
roles in Elijah" and The Flying Dutch
man, both works having been produced by
many OF our leading societies this season
with Mr.. Davies in the respective title
roles This artist will sing at the opening
concert of the festival and with Miss Rus
sell in the Wagner .concer in the great
duet from The Flying Dutchman" and
other selections.
KIND WORDS FOR MISS WALKER.
Miss Sara Layton Walker, the young con-
tralto of this city, in whose appearance at
the festival there is unusual interest. sang
two weeks ago in a concert at Pittshurg.