The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1897-05-20
MUSIC TEACHERS DEPART
PROD UCTION OF"LOH ENGR RIN'' LAST
EVENING CLOSED CONTENTION.

Prod UCTION NOF"LOHENGRIN'' LAST
EVENING CLOSED CONTENTION.
The Opera SplendidIy Giveu-Mr. Bushnell
Makes IA Fine Debut-Theater Packed
From Pit to DOme-Other Features of
the Last Day of the Festival-Miss
Frcnch's Lecture on Wagner's Work.
The music teachers convention came
to an end with a performance of Lo-
hengrin last evening. The house was
literally packed from pit to dome. 1t
was one OF the largest audiences that
the Hyperion ever held. The perform
ance must have more than paid for it
self. The boxes We're sold out in single
seats and extra chairs We're placed on
the main floor. The performance was
a delightful one and the warmest
praise is due to Mr.. Frank Damrosch,
who organized the company and under
whose supervision the performance was
prepared. Mr.. Damrosch conducted
superbly. He held his somewhat un-
certain forces under the firmest control,
and each act was carried through with
splendid verve The orchestra played
beautifully. They have done excellent
work throughout the festival and graft
tude is due the management for secur-
ing such a thoroughly competent COM
p9ny of musicians.
The cast was as follows:
Elsa ...... Marie Mattfeld
Lohengrin .............B Barron Berthold
Ortrud ...,................Ma Marie MaWier
Telramund ........... Wilhelm Mertens
King .................Co Conrad Behrens
Herald .......... Ericsson F. Bushnell
OF most interest to us all was the
first appearance of our townsman, Mr..
Ericsson F. Bushnell in German opera.
1t is a great PLEASURE to record the
entire success of his efforts. He made
a magnificent figure in his costume of
black and yellow and his stage pres
ence was fine. He sang the difficult
and ungrateful music of his role with
authority and intelligence. His voice
rang out gorgeously and its great nat
ural beauty and sorority were never
heard to better advantage. Mr.. Bush
nell learned the part in German at
three weeks notice, which was an eX-
traordinary feat. His memory never
failed him from beginning to end and
his enunciation was excellent. Mr..
Bushnell said last night that he had
sung hundred oratorios and that he
should not rest content until he had
is admirable and his zeal for self-im-
provement is certainly most praise
worthy He is most sincerely to be
congratulated on the success of his first
appearance.
Miss Marie Mattfeld sang the part of
ELSA" for the first time last night
She was a charming Elisa" and al
though her voice is small she uses it
with good effect and her personality is
pleasing. Fer performance was highly
creditable. Marie Maurer was an eff
Client "Ortrud." Her acting was con-
ventionally good and She sang intelli-
gently. Conrad Behrens was in poor
voice and the music of his part suffered
in consequence. Wilhelm Mertens, who
was the Herald" Of the performance
y
last night. Mertens is always a reliable
singer and a conscientious actor He
sang beautifully last night. Barron
Berthald sang so much better than
when he was heard in Samson and
Delilah" that It would have been i'm
possible to believe 1t was the same man
If the same atrocious method of vocal
emission had not been there to prove his
identity. Berthald sang the part here
year ago and sang badly but was ex-
cused because he was said to be i'll.
Then came his complete fiasco in Sam
SON." His performance last night, al
though absolutely without distinction,
went long way towards restoring him
to respectable place in public esteem.
The chorus was not large and did not
feet at home with itself, so to speak,
but it sang with spirit and in tune. 1t
was a good all round performance and
was certainly worth the price charged.
The festival has been a series of uni
formly good concerts. Financially the
association must be in a most prosper
Gus condition. The management has
been excellent and every programme
has been carried out substantially as
dUHOuUc6u. 1 lie Improvement IN Qudl-
ity is marked and altogether the asso-
citation has done meritorious work. We
are glad to know that the next meeting
will be held In this city and it will be
anticipated with pleasure.
Composers Concert.
A feature of the closing day was the
composers concert at $3.50 a, M, The
concert was of rare excellence and
greatly enjoyed by those who were not
deferred by the earliness of the hour
from attending.
The opening number on the pro-
gramme was a serenade in G fat on
the piano by Mr.. Willis Howard Alling.
Two songs by Mr.. Alex S. Gibson
had to be omitted. They were to have
been sung by Miss Bessie f. Eaton.
The publishers put off sending them
until Monday night, which was too
late to prepare them for Yesterdays
concert.
A German lied, a Love Song" by.
Mrs. Emma Troostwyk, won much fa-
vorable comment. 1t was sung by Miss
Elizabeth Gaffney, accompanied by
Mrs. Troostwyk.
a song by Mr.. John S. Camp of Hart
ford, 90 Dearest, Can'st Thou Tell Me
Why" was well sung by Mr. Alfred