The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-04-17

Is this community musical? a hack
neyec question and a hackncyed meme
the answer 10 which will be found In the
results Of the approaching May Festival
which viii be held at the Academy Of
Music on the Friday and Saturday ol TINS
week.
1oe scheme OF this festival is the result
Of unusual care and study. and more
truly festival In the dignity ana chaiac-
ter OF its work than previously attempted.
Tho performances contain no trivial or
unworthy composition. and their numbers
are OF such varied and interesting music
that all taste will find much TO gravity
and please. The casts are OF artists ltlly
comnetcut for the work required. The
,nusical features of this festival indeed,
ave of such hich character as TO give the
association standing that will insure
oit a support adequate and satisfactory
Unusual thought end care have be % put
into the preparation of the festival. ana
the directorate has been imbued with a
ful sense Of IFS opportuniucs and respOn-
sibHitios in the corps of singers that
have been engaged are artists that al-
ways delight the senses and convince the
mind
AS has been truly said, "the chorus is
the laNNiOlE OF Ailt A"NNaffN4f wv ANtH
the "Wednesday club should be encJur gsd
IN every effort TO maintain It's efficiency.
Quality has not been subordinated 10
numbers.
THE CHOUS.
The big chorus of several hundreds may
be best for some conditions and In some
localities. but the Wednesday Club OF
one hundred and nifty voices is " small
closely trained choir Of all good singers
every one of which has met the require
ments Of the committee. Can any one
question this opinion when the ilne work
done I'm an the concerts that have gone
before o. alluded tot
These annual festivals. occurring with
unerriur regularity. ana of such invara-
ble worthy character. have attracted the
attention Of people. musical ana other
wise. IN an parts OF the country. IN
ouestionably nothing has contributed so
much 20 the fame and good reputation
Of this city in later years CAS- these great
musical events. The chorus is properly
drilled in an works. and the orchestra,
one of the most noted 30 th's country
Is fully ADEQUATE in numbers and quality.
yvbat does the Wednesday club stand
for9 H. &c not an exponent Of the best
and noblest in choral and orchestral
music2 Amid numerous smaller sOcie-
ties ian the South. il stands conspicuously
as such and as such Is held SHARPLY up
10 a standard that they have been
steadily 81 may be uncOu7ciously build
ing for themselves until now II holds
reputation any Organization might be
proud Of.
The friends or the club say that pa
trouage will not be lacking at The forth
coming festival. the organization having
attained such a reputation in ne mast
that the citizens OF RichmO~ol will rally 20
the support OF the society that has done
80 much 70 win back for their city rs
reputation as a centre Of musical taste
and culture.
SOME or THE FEATUEs.
The festival will be notable for many
Things. 10 will witness the first public
appearance Of tho Philharmonic Society.
which has been invited by the Wednesday
Club to take part This organization. now
IN the second year Of its existence, is
composed entirely Of men, banded to-
gether for the study Of good music I'm
der the direction or Mr.. A-thur SERVE
nor much has been accomplished in the
right direction.
The chidrens chorus OF two hundred
and afty voices will be heard with in
terest at the afternoon concert on Satur-
day. when Mr.. John Powell Jr.. will play
= plano concerto, accompanied by the or
Cnesffd- Inc CNlu4tu ; tNbtuo has bttu
most carefully trained by Mr.. Mercer.
and the genius OF the by musician is
sure 70 arouse enthusiasm.
Twelve noted artists will be heard dur
ing the festival
The FIRST Is Madame Johanna Gadski.
the prlma donna soprano Of the Metro
politan Grand Opera Company, and one
OF the most brilliant sOl0ists of to-day
While ranking with Melba, Games ana
IL. ~ HasfNa
cerpreter OF Wagneria1 roles and is said
TO surpass Nordica. whose appearance
here last season created such a Juror.
Miss Rose Stewart soprano. and Miss
Jennie Mae Spencer. cOntralto, need no
introduction. for they were heard az the
last festival and their splendid work
at that time will be readily recalled.
Enthusiastically applauded by the
press and public. Miss Flora Provan Will
mage her FIRST appearance before Rich
mond aud ence. She is possessed 81 q
very hne soprano voice, and is recognized
as an artist OF the front rank.
BASS AND TENOR.
Mr. William H. Rieger tenor. and
signor Del Puente. bass. are names that
fan Familiarity on the ear, and their NUM-
hers on the programme viii be looked
forward 10 with the highest degree or
expectation, that IS sure 10 be fulfilled.
AIR w. A. Rowland the well-known
baritone. was last heard here al Ned
Hons benefit. when ne was received with
a perfect ovation.
Al that time, II will be remembered, he
gave most finished Interpretation or
Honor and Arms, and AR W. Grant
the wel-known basso OF this city was
one Of his most enthusiastic admirers.
Slgnor AlphOnse Rosa. Is one OF the
most renowned vocalists In this country.
He has O superb bass voice. which VIII
be heard In Richmond Tor ..e hrst time
81 tho afternoon concert on Saturday.
Xr. William Larkin, another new
conner, is a tenor Of tho front rank.
ar Alexander HelndL the 'csllist was