St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1897-05-28
THE FESTIVAL.
A Great Musical Success and a Great Treat for
Our Townspeople.

A Great Musical Success and Great Treat for
Our TownspeopIe.
The second annual festival of the St.
Johnsbury Choral Union closed on Fri
day night with the universal verdict
that the music-loving people of this town
had heard the finest series of concerts
ever given in this section.
Thursday nights concert opened with
Gade's "Erl Kings daughter" given by
the chorus and orchestra and three solo,
lists, Mrs. Bradbury of Boston, Mr. SPELL
man of Concord and Mrs. P. F. Hazen OF
st. Johnsbury. The society was particu-
larly fortunate in selecting one of our
local singers for the contrato solos in
this cantata. Mrs. Hazen was never
heard to better advantage. She showed
a thorough understanding of this cele-
brated composition, and her rich voice
easily filled the hall. Her part was taken
with both delicate and dramatic express
sion which would have been difficult to
surpass.
Mrs. Bradbury and Mr.. Spellman did
fine solo work and the chorus, "The even
ing sun now sinks to rest" was as fine
a choral as St. Johnsbury ever heard.
The second part of the programme
was of a mixed character including three
selections by Prof. Blaisdells fine orches-
ira, solos by ]. c. Bartlett OF Boston,
Mr.. Spellman and Mrs. Bradbury. "The
Tyroean Idyll," by the orchestra with
the echo accompaniment, was as unique
as it was pleasing and heartily encored.
Mr.. Bartlett always pleases our audi
ence, and was in fine voice at all our
concerts. His operate selection easily
secured an encore, and he responded
with well-rendered ballad.
Mr.. Spellman sang as a solo the
"Toreador's Song" from Carmen, but
his best work was in the baritone sclos
as Olaf in "The Erl King" which received
merited applause.
The concert closed with "The Song of
the Vikings" by the full chorus and
orchestra. This was given in spirited
and finished manner and was fitting
close to a fine concert.
The matinee Friday afternoon had
new soloist, DR.. George r. Clark of Bos-
ton, formerly st. Johnsbury boy, in
whose continued musical success we take
just pride. His solos here and the duet,
THE Fisherman" with Mr.. Bartlett,
!. gave promise OF great work in the even
ing, when in "The Creation" he eclipsed
all previous successes in this town. The
: ballads by Mr.. Bartlett and Mrs. Brad
| bury were especially pleasing. and the
t cello solo. by Mr., Stockbridge showed a
, perfect command of one of the sweetest
musical instruments.
Those who feared that Hayden's "Crea-
tion" was too difficult for st. Johns
+ bury chorus had these fears allayed after
e they heard the magnificent chorus work
in TIE great oratorio. The applause by
the conductor and the soloists during
the evening showed how musical critics
, appreciated the singing of so many we'll
t trained voices. The audience expressed
l the same sentiments by repeated applause
: after such choruses as "The Heavens are
Telling ""The Lord is Great" and the
= wonderful close "Jehovahs Praise for
ever Shall Endure" This was the first
time that an entire oratorio has been
= given here, and it shows conclusively
that when our singers all take hold of a
difficult composition, under an interested
: and talented leader, that success will
1 surely follow. To the chorus more than
to the soloisls belongs the credit of the
oratorio's success.
t The soloists were Mrs. Bradbury, Mr..
Bartlett and DR.. Clark. The soprano
soloist was unknown to our audience
and had been advertised as one of the
leading oratorio soloists of New Eng
land. She more than fulfilled the expec-
, tatons of the critics, and in the solos
with Verdure Clad" and ION mighty
Pens" she showed great dramatic power
combined with briliancy and sweetness.
DR.. Clark's work was thoroughly
, appreciated and his rich and deep voice
most effectively used in the solo Rolling
in Foaming Billows." Another solo,
equally we'll rendered, was Now Heaven
, in Fullest Glory Shone". Mr.. Bartlett
had less solo work than either of the
: others, but his part was taken with a
, finish that always characterizes his sing
ing.
Another st. Johnsbury artist who took
Appointment part throughout the festival,
) winning many words of praise, was B.
Frank Harris, the accompanist. Whether
his work was with the soloists, chorus
or orchestra he never failed to perform a
. difficult part faultlessly. 1t is a source
OF just pride that when we want an
, accompanist for large festival we can
find such talented one in town.
Prof Blaisdell has trained many q St.
Johnsbury chorus, but never took more
interest than with this one. His work is
2 characterized by tboroughness, and in
. concerts it is real pleasure to watch
, him and see how every instrument and
singer is carried in his mind and under
: his control. His orchestra added much
; to the success of the festival, and their
own selections were given with that
e vigor and taste that is rarely found in so
, small an orchestra.
} The festival was success every way
. but financially. and this is a year when
F., financial success comes hard The chorus
r have lots OF courage, and we hope they
S will keep up the organization and give
4 us festival in 1898 even superior to the
}, one that has just passed.
G Public Schools Celebrate. an
nual commemoration OF Memorial day
by the public schools will consist of q
e programme OF appropriate recitations
/; songs, and tableaux given in Music Hal
this afternoon at hali-past two by tn,
0 pupils of the upper grades OF the Unior
!, | and Suu1 rvtlle srhpnle, aud ,f yana