The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1897-10-20
SEEN AND HEARD.
Bits of the Festival Gathered Among the
Auditors and Singers.

Au ditors and Singers.
There were many strangers on the
streets of Portland on the first day of the
festival, but yes terday the city was fairly
thronged with visitors. You heard music
talked in the hotels, on the electric cars !;
and, in short, wherever people congregated
there was but one topic of conversation.
1t is not only festival of music but an
exposition of the skill of the dressmaker
No better dates could have been selected
for the convenience of the feminine
portion of the community 1t is the time
of tho year when new and fetching fail
costumes are in order and the ladies on
the streets were all arrayed in the latest
styles. 1t is evident that the modistes and
the dry goods dealers have cause to be
thankful to Mr.. Chapman and his fellow
workers in the festival n 4
A prominent figure in the great chorus
is that of Prof. Henry L.. Chapman Of
BoWdoin, VINO sings in the Brunswick
chorus. He sits well up near thu organ at
the back OF the stage and sings with a
spirit that indicates that he enjoys tho
work. The Rev. Mr.. Carroll whose in
termezzo WAS so well received yesterday
afternoon is the gentleman who sits just
men singers and whose clerical black in
the midst of the glistening shirt fronts
around him serves to identify him to
those who have not the pleasure OF his
acquaintance.
The chorus presents an attractive ap-
pearance whether singing or listening to
the efforts of the soloists, but perhaps the
prettiest sight of all is when the eight
hundred choristers are showering ap-
plause on the distinguished musicians
from away. Then the waving handker-
chiefs of the ladies reseLn BILE the flight OF
doves over bank of beautiful flowers.
A rare opportunity for character study
is afforded those who look about the great
audiences. Near me on the night Of the
whose cries o. ssBravo, bravo, bravo"
gave expressions to his feelings. He
greeted the singers by waving his pro-
gramme until he had shaken off one of
his cuffs and all during the evening he
was as animated as the conductor him
self. On the;seat in front was lady and
it was apparent that her enjoyment of the
man behind her. but she had different
way of showing it. During the singing
OF beautiful passage her eyes were fast
closed. She might have been fast asleep,
but she wasn't. for she joined in the ap-
plause every time, although In manner
WHICH salu tnaG Sne Regretted tHdG the
time had come for showing approval for
that meant the end of the selection. Then
there are the people who sit perfectly still
and keep their eyes fastened on the stage
as If 10th to lose either a note of the
music or a bit of the picture. Others look
steadfastly at the backs of those in front
of them, as if fearful of having their at
tention distracted from the wealth of
sweet sounds. All are evidently interested
in the music, although they have different
ways of showing it. The people who
whisper and laugh. and in other ways
disturb their neighbors are noticeable by
their absence. Some of them may be
there but they are so few that they are
lost sight of in the great number of at
tentive and well bred listeners.
In announcing the appearance Of Nine
Blauvelt at the rehearsal this forenoon,
Mr.. Chapman yesterday spoke of her
ability as concert singer, and said that
she is an artist whom Maine people should
know and appreciate. Blauvelts singing
was one of the most attractive features of
the Bangor concerts, and she won suc-
cess there which all who heard her are
sure that she win repeat in this city.
Hans Kronold, bending over the cello