The Somerset reporter., 1898-09-22

Musical Festivals at sPortland
s.assus and Bangor. sassss k,.as

When the Maine music festival opened
its doors to the public last october and
dedicated to music In Maine the new
Auditorium. built for the purpose by the
public spirited citizens of Bangor new
star was recognized in the musical fir
mament a new target was raised for
public criticism, new enthusiasm was
kindled among the music lovers. and a
new power was recognized in the mu-
steal world. As the days vent by and
the five great programmes given by the
eastern division of the chorus In Ban
gor Ven repeated by the western divi-
sion in Portland the lockers on, the
critics the enthusiasts and even the
skepties Acknowledged that il was
revelation, great festival worthy OF its
name and a new cause for pride to the
Pine Tree State For Maine and for
music" seemed the watchword. The
wondrous beauty of face. form and
voice of the beloved daughter Of the
state, Lillian Nordica. won very heart
and thrilled every pulse with sort ~
personal as we'll as a state pride. a
Maine man was the conductor. Maine
singers composers. musicians. Were ev-
erywhere. and il WAS a great festival.
1t represented many months of untir-
ing. energetic effort from the many who
were present and helped to make 1t a
magnificent whole. Each member Of
the chorus felt this pride this interest.
1t was her festival or his festival, and
this idea was carried out in every de-
tail. individuality and personal ability
were lost in the one great effort and
determination to make it festival
which should be remembered. To many
1t was a new experience, to all II was a
delight and not only were the audience
charmed with the solosts and thrill
ed by the orchestra, they We're spell
bound before the magnificent chorus as
the voices rang out In perfect harmony
and precision, "Hallelujah! Hallelujah!"
After all. 1t is the chorus that makes
the festival. You may have your or
chestra, be 1t ever so grand: you may
have your soloists. be they ever so mag
netic. so finished. so world renowned,
but you mus have your chorus. and a
well drilled disciplined chorus. or you
cannot have great festival.
Director Chapman knew and reCog
nized all this, and. although he spared
no money in getting the best of soloists
and orchestral players. he also spared
neither time nor strength in rehearsing
the different ehoruses. which under the
faithful weekly drilling from their con
scientious local conductors were ready
for the finishing touches of his magnetic
master hand. Another year of the same
faithful study and work has been spent
and we come to the second great festi-
val, which promises to even surpass the
first. The programmes are of a ilEh
order of merit. Too much Of the clas-
steal or severe music would not meet
the tastes of these audiences, many of
whom shrink from even the idea of a
symphony or an oratoriO because of be-
ing unfamiliar with the beauties ~
these works. But these festivals are in
tended to be educational as we'll as
pleasurablc, and enough Of the serious
has been mingled with the gay to give
variety and satisfaction to all.
The programmes for the five perform
ances. which will be rendered with the
same artists and different chorusps in
both Bangor and in Portland. are given
herewith in condensed form.
The first or opening night Will be a
grand Wagner programme. with Ger
man operate selections, in which Nine.
Gadsk will sing the grand Aria de
Elizabeth" from "Tannhauser" Miss
Rosa Green. the great London csntra,to.
will make her debut before an Amuri-
can audience and will sing the aria
"Adriano' from "Rienzi" Mr. II Ev-
an Williams viii sing the recitative
and aria swan Song" from "Iohon-
grin" Mr. Gwilym Miles viii sing The
Evening star" from "Tannhauser." AID
this great quartet. with Mr. Everett VI
Waterhuuse. viii sing the quintet from
"Die Meistersinger." A male chorus
Will sing the pilgrims Chorus" from
"Tannhauser' The festival chorus viii
sing Hail Bright Abode" from Tam
hauser,' and several other choral mum
bers The orchestra will play the "Vor-
spiel' from Die MeistersinCer' and IT, =
Introduction to Act from "Lohengriu "
As closing number and most suitable
al this peace Jubilee celebration viii he
the rendition of a grouping OF patriotic
songs with the flags and rmhlems ~
tn" different nations which are t. be
thus represented II is the intention to
open every festival with thu glorious
"Haueluiah Chorus. and therefore eyou
Wagner programme is no exception.
Mayor Beal in Bangor and Mayor Ran
dali in Portland Will deliver brief ad-
dresses OF welcome
The second concert will be- matinee
OF popular and patriotic music The
chorus will sing And the Glory of The
Lord" from the Messiah" the Sane
tus" by Gounod a selection from the
opera "Sonnamhula' and viii repeat
the patriotic songs as rendered at the
first concert for the benefit of the chill
dren and out of town friends Who can
not be present in the evening. The &C.
Gillian ladies quartet Of Portland. COM
posed of Miss Lizzie Nj. Brown. Miss
Edwina NJ Richardson Miss Alice NJ
Sawyer and Mrs. Jennie King Morrison
will sing some dainty unaccompanied
part songs; Mrs. Lou Duncan Barney