The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-05-19
THE ORCHESTRA IS HERE
ITS FIRST REHEARSAL WITH FESTI-
VAL CHORUS LAST NIGHT.
Some WeII-KnOwn Musicians in MIR.
Van Der Stucken's Organization
The Sale of Seats.

The Symphony Orchestra from Cincinnati
arrived yesterday and in the afternoon
Mr.. Van der Stucken had the members
at Tomlnson Hall drilling them on the
May festival programme. Among the
musicians is Mr.. Richard SchlieWen, who
is so well known to the musical public of
this city. He has a position at the head
of the viola section. He is happy in his con-
cert work in Cincinnati with Mr.. Van der
Stucken and has been re-engaged at the
College Of Music for an indefinite period
The leader of the first violins is Jose
Marien, of Antwerp. He has been with this
orchestra for two years and is a solo Vio-
linist of recognized standing. Just in front
of the director sit the two leading 'cellists
Michael Brand, who has a fame as con-
ductor of the Pops concerts in Cincinnati
and Mr.. Ebann, whose ability became
known as 'celist when he played here
few weeks ago in the Indianapolis SYM
phony Orchestra under Mr.. Karl Froeh-
Itch, the latter q prominent instructor of
Cincinnati. The leader of the horns, Mr.
Peper, was formerly with Theodore
Thomas. He has been with the present or
chestra two years. A prominent musician
in the group is Mr.. Scheurs, who was with
Theodore Thomas twelve years. He has
been especially engaged for the festival
here to take the place of one of the regu-
lar orchestra who cannot be here. He is
from Brussels The only lady in the or
chestra is Mrs. Lawrence, of Dayton, o..
harpiSt, who is now with the orchestra for
the second season She is graceful manip-
ulator of the many strings OF the classic
instrument.
When Mr.. Van der Stucken rehearses his
orchestra he sits part of the time and from
the audience side of the hall looks like a
veritable father among them. His method
of direction is much the same for the or
chestra as for the chorus, with the excep-
ton that the former knows what is wanted
and the latter has to learn. The rehearsal
of lie Cid" which is to be given Fri
day afternoon, was the last for the after
noon. This is the popular ballet which was
brought out in New York so successfully by
Damroseh short time ago.
her parents, Colonel and Mrs. l. N. Walker
and has with her Mrs. Ford, of Cleveland
who sang at one of the early festivals in
this city. Miss Walker has been singing in
the same choir with Mrs. Ford in Cleveland
Miss Walkers last important engagement
in concert work was in PittSburg with the
Mozart Club at Carnegie Hall. Miss
Walker Miss Katherine Hilker of New
York, soprano; Mr.. Bushnell, bass, and a
local tenor made up the quartet of singers
at the concert Miss Walker received most
flattering notices for her work, her voice.
method and style being the subject OF ia
Since leaving here for more extended work
in her profession she has advanced remark
ably. Miss Walker will sing in the Swan
and the Skylark tomorrow evening, the
Wagner evening, and at the Saturday mat
inee. Miss Walker attended the rehearsal
last evening and sang the Farewell solo
previous to the general rehearsal of the en-
tire cantata. In listening to the chorus she
said she had never heard a better chorus
nor seen a, more earnest conductor. The at
tack by the chorus she pronounced Won
derful and the diminuendos beautiful.
Up to last evening nearly $500 worth of
reserved seats for the festival had been
good seats n.
are also many left Letters and inquiries
from out of town indicate larger attend
Vious festivals. There does not seem to
be any great choice as to a particular pro-
gramme; each has much attractions.
The chorus rehearsed last evening with
the orchestra and each had the inspiration
of the other, and the chorus did some fine
work The Swan and the Skylark' is so
beautiful that it would be a poor chorus
and orchestra indeed that would not do its
best TO present the work. The corrections
were rare and the chorus sang on and on,
phrase after phrase, to the admiration of
the escorts and others who We're permitted
in to hear Mr. Van der Stricken is indie
fatigable, and, with the Keen perception OF
the finished conductor, not a note or sylla-
BILE escapes him. The volume and smooth
ness of tone is a product or weeks or hard
work but the painstaking care shows in
the result. The tendency to let the voices
fall below the perfect key-that is one of
the worst things a director mas 70 over
comets about conquered Any one who
has not known what the chorus has had
to do can scarcely appreciate what the
plished. The finished result gives no hint
of the doing, the undoing and the. doing
over and over again. and all will be forgot
ten when the night for the testlVal Is ac-
tually arrived. The baton has worked Won
ders.
This afternoon the children's cantata
Into Life" will be rehearsed with the or
chestra and this evening there will be an
other rehearsal with the chorus and or
chestra, and several of the soloists will be