The Portland daily press., 1898-10-13

I u scription list was q generous one, ana
the day and evening sales OF seats In
creased steadily. The public rehearsals
were very largely attended and proved
among the most interesting events OF the
work. Tho public rehearsal of Ehjah"
yesterday morning, with Mr.. Davies
participating, brought cut an audience
that fairly filled the Auditorium. II
these public rehearsals had been adver-
tised couple of days beforehand instead
of the morning when they took place, the
Auditorium would have been all too
small to hold the crowds at the popular
prices.
We do not propose to institute any COM
parisons between the artists of last year
and this, or to say that one was greater
favorite, a better singer than another
1t is enough to know that those OF this
year made a host of strong friends in
Maine who will always welcome them to
Portland with enthusiasm. Mme Gadski
and Mime. Macondas each in her respec-
tive lines of song, Mr.. Davies, Messrs.
Evans and Miles, and the other principals
city in the world, while the orchestra and
chorus were wonder even to those who
were familiar with the best work both
instrumental and vocal We. bid adieu to
the festival with regret aud trust that of
1899, the last year of the century, will
provo even greater success than this one.
YESTERDAYS MATINEE CONCERT.
One of the Most Enjoyable Concerts of the
Festival.
Among the many good things of the
festival yesterdays matinee concert stands
out in bold relief. 1t was thoroughly en-
ioyable, if, for no other reason, that the
Maine Symphony orchestra favored their
hearers with Beethoven's grand fifth
symphony, that in G minor. But there
were other and great attractions. Nine.
Maconda and Miss Katherine Kicker sang
solos and while the chorus had but little
to do they were heard to good advantage.
The audience was very large and discrimi.
Mating and ii. they could have had their
way they would have had everything
repeated. Thanks to Mr.. Chapman and
the artists the encore fiend was repressed.
The concert opened with Won Weber IS
overture to "Euryanthe, a favorite OF
the concert stage, with strong dramatic
effects and elaborate orchestrations. Its
melodies are extremely pleasing, and are
the airs of Adolors in which he announ.
ces his faith in his betrothal, and that in
which he anticipates his meeting with
Euryanthe. The episode, which occurs
in the largo, between the two quick
given out by thu subdivided
violins is taken from the scene in which
Euryanthe confides the fatal secret ofaathe
ring to Eglantine. This explanation of
the story the programme analysis fur
nishes. 1t gives a key to the work of
the orchestra. The sentiment Of the
arias was admirably expressed, and in
strong dramatic way.
The second number introduced Nine.
Maconda who received most flattering
reception. She sang the old familiar
"Fors lni'' from "La Traviata,' that
stock show piece of great artists for over
ing OF the music, her liquid tones, her
great expressions as she reached those
words "crocs delizer," and this final ford
execution at the close in which she
scored to such height aroused the audi
ence to shouts of bravo and an insistant
recall when she came forward and re.
pested the last part of the aria. Mime.
Maconda has achieved triumphant sue
cess in Portland.
Then came the magnificent fifth SYM
phony in c minor, of Beethoven. 1t is
a veritabIe tragedy in music; one in
which the great problem Of life. the strug-
gle with destiny, is brought to decisive
ISSUE 1t is this magnificent composition
that carries the Imagination with ever
increasing mystery and grandeur into
the unknown spirit world. The allegro
consists merely of two bars and begins