The Portland daily press., 1898-10-10
THE MUSICAL FESTIVAL.
Great EVe.t Opsls at the Aud torium
Today.
GRAND PUBLIC REHEARSAL WILL
BE GIVEN THIS AFTERNOON.

Madame Maconda VIII Siug-Let:er From
Mr.. Davies on the Elijah-splendfd
Programmes to be Given Throu2hou'
the Week.
The Bangor festival closed
Saturday night after series Of
concerts as successful as any ever
given fin Maine. The Bangor
papers were loud in their praise of the
soIoists and the chorus. Mms. Gadski
was heard with delight in all her numbers
and Nine. Maconda was accorded 8
fattering reception. The Bangor audi
ences were very enthusiastic and the
artists were called upon to respond to- re-
call after recall. Miss Rosa Green, who
made her American debuts at once be-
came favorite as is shown by the follow
ing notice taken from the Bangor Com
mercial:
Rosa Green, who is attached to Maine
through her sister, Mrs. e. u. Dyer OF
Portland, made her American debut on
Thursday after some years OF Close sJuay
in London. Though she has been suffer-
ing with severe cold Sinc3 coming TO
Bangor, Miss Green appeared to be IN nne
voice and sang her number exceedingly
we'll. She did not create the enthusiasm
accorded to Gadski, but her friends have
no reason to complain of that She GER
tainly did sing very well indeed, with a
beautifully moulded tone and certain
powerful effect, while it was marked,
seemed to be natural and stamped her
work with signs of genius Miss Green 8
contralto is better than any that has been
orI }x, Poy IN, There
have been bigger voices. but none OF Its
quality more winning. 1t is invested with
a peculiar liquid melody which its owner
very we'll understands the value OF, while
1t showed surprising range on Thurs lay
night. Miss Green must be heard again.
The writer predicts that before the festival
is over her voice will have won the audi
enoe to her feet. She came almost nm
heralded and was met on Thursday night
with that trying aspect of careful inspec-
ton which Is inevitably assumed by
Maine audiences before they accord
praise.
For. the first three days of this
week the festival will be given at the
Auditorium here and the sale of seats has
been large. The programmes are the same
as those rendered at Bangor and the
singers will be all the better prepared to
do themselves full justice after the
practice they have had with the orchestra
in the Bangor festival. People are coming
by the hundred from all parts of southern
and central Maine but the Auditorium is
big place and there are still plenty of
good seats to be obtained. The sale of
seats will be transferred today to the au-
ditorium.
Yesterday afternoon at the Auditorium,
Mr.. and Mrs. W.sR. Chapman were pres
emit, having come through from Bangor
Mr. Kotzschmar, Hiss Henrietta Ricesand
others ofsthe soloists. who took part in
the Bangor performances. Mr.. Chapman
and the others were all extremely entnu-
siastio over the concerts given in that
city. 1t was pointed cut. and emphasized
that there WAS not a musical festival
given in this country in these later years
with so large and superbly drilled chorus,
possessing such delightful quality and
grand volume of voice, or with principals
of such reputation. The expense is ire
mendous and in order to give even a
margin of profit every seat should be sold
for each entertainment.
In order that the public may have a
good idea of what splendid colorateur
singer Mme Maconda is, Mr.. Chapman
has decided to have a public rehearsal
of the programme to be given tonight.
The rehearsal will begin at 2 O'Clock, and
an admission fee of "a cents will be
charged. THIS sum is a mere bagatelle
when one considers what will be pro-
vided in the way of musical feast.
Mr.. George Il. Brown, the well-known
decorator, has decorated the Auditorium
most attraotively for the festival. All the
bunting and the other decorations are
entirely fresh and new. Hundreds of adj
ditional electric lights have been put
into the building.
Back of the stage are five handsomely
furnished dressing rooms which have been
fitted up for the artists who are to take
part in the great festival. Each room is
. model of comfort and taste. Furniture
of mahogany finish, furnished by Walter
Corey g. Co.. real Turkish rugs and car
pets from the store of Il. j. Bailey g. Co.. i
mirrors and other conveniences combine
to make these rooms as attractive as
could be desired. In the basement of the
building are two large dressing rooms for
the, male and female members of the
chorus respectively. The latter of these
rooms is go feet long by 20 feet wide,
and Its floor is covered by handsome
Turkish carpets and rugs, while liberal
number of looking glasses hang along its,
walls. Adjoining it are fine, newly fitted
toilet rooms, and nothing that could be
in any way conducive to the comfort and
convenience of the coming occupants has
been neglected. The woodwork OF the In
terror of the armory has recently been
reprinted, and such general repairs as
were necessary have been made. Janitor
Brown has everything in apple-pie order
all ready for the opening tonight.
Mr.. Chapman has received this strong