Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-03-06
A GRAND FESTIVAL.
PLANS OF WEDNESDAY CLUB FOR
THEIR ANNUAL CONCERTS. =
LOCAL and PROFESSIONAL FEATURES.
IL VIII Outvie Anything of the Kind
That Has Ever Taken Place I'm
Ricbmond-some $4,000 to he Paid
TO visiting Artists.
TO Visiting Artists.

1t IS more than probable that those
music lovers who have been present du-
ring the past three years at the Wednes-
day Clubs May Festivals will agree that
the arrangements for this season point
to a serious and growing musical con-
ception and taste.
The announcement that on April 22d
and sd the club will make known the
fruits OF a seasons indefatigable and
conscientious work will be solaoe, indeed,
for those who have pined amid the
aridity OF the past weeks. 1t will be the
greatest musical event of the season,
and, indeed, It will stand pre-eminent
among the concerts of the last four years.
One OF its extremely interesting features
Of tho programme will be Lore
ley" the unfinished opera Of Mendelssohn,
which was composed in 1871. This
work has not been heard in Richmond,
though the beautiful Ave Maria"
chorus for womens voices, was sung
years ago by the Mozart Association.
Other works that will be heard are
"The Swan and the Skylark," by A.
Goring Thomas, and selections from
Beethoven's mount Of Olives"
Among the chorus numbers that will
figure on the programme, are THE Sea
Hath It's Pearls" Pinsuti,) and Unfold
Ye Portals" from the Redemption;
when Glow the Heart with Silent Love-"
How Fair She Be-" for male voices.
The last-named selection will be sung
by the Philharmonic Society, which Is to
take a conspicuous part In the festival,
circumstance that will be remarked with
interest, since it will be the first public
appearance OF the organization, which
was formed towards the close of last
season.
So much for the more elaborate details
of the festival scheme. But a most
unique feature, and one that Is well call
culated to arouse the enthusiasm OF the
multitude, will be the introduction Of the
children's chorus on the second day OF
tho festival, at the afternoon concert.
They will be heard In q number Of pretty
selections, and will be assisted, If one may
presume so to speak. by the famous
soloists and the splendid orchestra which
have been engaged for the festival.
So much has been heard of the genius
of Master John Powell The boy pianist
of Richmond, that his debut will be
looked forward to, and those who have
heard him play need not the spirit or
prophecy to predict that he will create
a sensation. He is on the programme to
give a concerto, arranged for the plano
and orchestra. Master Powell Is verita-
bic prodigy; not like those overlooked hot
house plants who stand no wear,
and with whom the real prodigy was only
the youth, so that youth gone, the prodigy
was gone and nothing remained. Lit
tie Powell has not only the vivifying
spark--that spark which Prometheus
tried 10 steal from Jupiter-but he has,
besides his astonishing performing talent,
a decided great talent for composition.
with no wish to detract from the share
that the local talent will play in the
festival, it may surely be said that the
particular interest centres about the pro-
fessionals who have been engaged TO
take part. First comes the great Gadsky,
star soprano I'm the Metropolitan Grand
Opera Company, who Is ranked with
Melba, Calve, and Nordica; Componare,
the finest baritone unquestionably now
before the American public; Rieger,
Spencer, Rowland, Stewart-household
names, all Of them-supported by the
Boston Festival Orchestra, go to form an
attraction that surely must prove irresis-
tible. AS one contemplates such musi-
cal event from Richmond standpoint,
one is nonplussed for words to express
astonishment and admiration Of the en-
terprise of the Wednesday Club, which
has already done so much to elevate
musical taste in the community.
VIII Il be a success? Is the question
which naturally arises, and the answer Is
doubtful and puzzllng. 1t is estimated
that the expense OF the festival will ex-
coed 5000, and up TO the present time,
only 100 subscribers TO the concerts have
been listed. Of course, there are the
glIarantors. but It IS the public, and not
the individual. which should seek to en-
courage the society in its honest and