Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1898-03-03
THE CONVENTIONS CLOSE.
Promise of the Opening FuIfiIIed.---
An Event of Great Interest In the
Local Musical Field.---The Artists

Promise of the Opening Fulfilled.--
An Event of Great Interest In the
Local Musical Field.---The Artists
With a chorus of over 150 voices; with
an aggregate attendance of 2,675; with
gross receipts of s5S7.4O; with everybody
in attendance enthusiastic and firmly de-
termined to come again, the second annu-
al convention of the Randolph Musical
association can fairly be set down as q
complete success. That, with this large
patronage, no money was made only indi-
Gates how great was the effort to make the
event notable and how secondary was
money compared with the intent to secure
the very best of talent and to provide suit
able arrangements throughout. The ex-
penses equal the receipts, but there is a
nest-egg OF about $50 left over from last
year that will not have to be disturbed.
The attendance was very large at both
concerts and hat at the matinees very
gratifying. Scores from Bethel, Royalton,
Northield, and other towns came, aggre-
eating several hundred visitors in all.
Scarcely a town within fifty miles was IN.
represented. These, returning home and
repor,in their pleasure, will be the best
possible kind OF advertising for future
events, which are to be held annually. The
weather was not bad-for this winter when
snow is a steady diet.
We published last week the programs of
the concerts, which were followed in the
main. The matinees we're of the same
high order as the concerts.
To the various committees in charge is
due primarily the success OF the festival.
They worked ~untiringly, and with good
judgment. Their selection of talent was
most fortunate. With the experience
gained last year, they were able to carry
out their plans without the lea It friction.
The leading purpose OF the convention
was to assemble and instruct a chorus. To
do this latter work that eminent ~onuuct-
or, Prof. Henri q. Blaisdell of Manchester,
N. H., was secured. How he could be i'm
proved on is difficult to see. He Is a born
musician, with a wonderful ear and the
executive force to make him the success
he Is as leader. His pleasing ways made
him popular with his chorus pupils and
they aDsa cred with their full capacity.
Though quick to detect and c~riticise err
ror, he did it so good naturedly as to ac-
complish his purpose without the least Of
fence. He led the orchestra, also, in sew
eral accomplishments, in which capacity he
has no superior. Concerning the chorus, 1t
was undoubtedly the best ever
in this section. 1t was large, well-balanced
as between the several parts and possessed
a volume and vigor seldom found ID an
unsolicited body OF that size. IL numbered
many who are notable as solofsts them
selves. Prof. Blaisdell paid IL the compli-
ment of being the verv best chorus OF the
kind he had ever instructed. The clsss of
music it rendered can be judged by the
following list OF selections
Part Son S-Hsoftiy Fall the shades OF
-. Evening" Hate, Ton
Anthem The psdiant Morn Hath Passed
Away" Woodland
"cast Thy Burden on the Lord" from -,
"He Watching over Israel" Mendelssohn
81 ring Song waltzes, N.ntwlch
Part SonR-"Madeline,- Roeckel
Beedle's orchestra not only proved a
tower of strength TO the cnorus and to
some of the s~oloists, but performed no
mean part individually. Its exquisite rem
dition of various kinds of music moved
warm praise. Leader ennes has a most
able corps OF accomplished musicians. II
would be difficult to conceive sxeeter har-
mony than produced in such selections as
overture-"Bronze Horse" Auber
String Quartette-"Dauce OF the
Bumblebees,n Z. I. Bsgiey
Overture-"If I We're King" Adam
Wedding Music, Jensen
Is) A Procession.
tb) bridal Song.
1.-THE Merry Wives OF Windsor" Nicoiai
String Observation-Disclosures Patrol" Giilet
Selections from Pagliacei, Laoncoallo
overture-"Rienzi," Wagner
Theme and Variations, Beethoven
.Ioin du Ball. tencore), Gi let
Before passing to the ~soloists, one OF toe
most successful features OF the festival de-
serves n~otice-the piano sccompanist. BY
her rare talent, skill and attention, Miss
Josephine Page of Laconia, N. H., lent
most valuable assistance throughout. Her
work was a revelation OF what the piano
Ia the hands OF a skilled performer Is ca
pable OF. She had the strength to carry
= 49, a .s.h he mas rpdartohap Qf tina /
opening. 1t is not strs &c that her repu-
tstion Is widespread for one SO young.
None OF the other eminent artists will
consider 1t any disparagement OF their
much appreciated parts in the convention
when it is stated that the bright and par
ticular star was DR.. Geo. X. Clark OF Bos-
ton, the famous basso. He Is in a class by
himself. He has few rivals and no supe-
rior-certainly in New England. The
wide range, the volume, the melody OF his
voice are wonderful. Whether in higher,
middle or low tones it lost nothing OF its
sweetness. His manner, whether on or on
the stage, is most pleasing. he is a whole
convention in himself. His selections
were we'll suited TO the occasion. Every
one was 70 lowed by an enthusiastic encore
and the audience never tired OF hearing
him. Most OF the eDcores were OF his own
composition. showing his skill in that
line. The exceptions were such pieces as
nOCktd IA "A @A&AA@ - 49,
"The Demon King.n The latter is a Lon
dor piece sung in this country by Dr.Clark
only. His choice OF selections showed to
good advantage his remarkable range OF
voice, which extended from low b fiat
(oelow low @ to f, third space above bass
cleft. His other selections were:-
.sToreadore's Love Song"
(Encore)-"My Old Farm Home" DR.. Clark
a Message from the D. ep." Burger
Hncorel-"Yo Ho weave Ho ~ Dr. Clark
AHrs uaiestyn Woaeil
" The Three Fishers" Huhah
(Eneo1e)-"When Friends Are Met DR.. Clark
Recit and Aria-"Infelice," V.rdi
.1n the Deep Gold Sea-" Petri-
To carry the other msle part and bear
with DR.. Clark was no an
easy situation, but Mr.. Charles S. ConaDt
OF Concord, N. H., accomplished all that
reasonably be expected. He has an
easy and sweet tenor voice, particularly
pleasing IN the hioh and soft tones. His J
@"T IL