The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-05-06
Success Both MusicaIy and f.
, nancia||y'
SOCIETY NOTABLES THERE
Audience Embellished by Hand
some Gowns.
FROM CRITICS STANDPOINT
The Finer Parts of the Musical Pro-
gramme Reviewed.
GREATEST OF ALL IS TO COME
Haydn's Oratorio THE Creation" Was
Rendered in Superb Style-Chorus
Fulfilled all Expectations Di-
rected by Guckenburger.

The first musical festival that Blrming-
tion that the promoters had dared hope
for, and "a pronounced success" was the
criticism which the audience passed on
last nights entertainment.
1t was a splendid audience which gather
ed at the auditorium to sit in judgment,
and one that was for the most part
thoroughly capable of doing SO. There
were between twelve and fifteen hundred
In all, nearly every seat ON the orchestra
floor being taken, and several hundred peo-
pie occupying seats in the galleries above.
Such an attendance as this would almost
by itself pay for the expenses of the fes-
tival, to say nothing of the crowds that
will be present at this afternoons and to-
nights performance. Financially and
otherwise the festival is success
The institution of festivals is as old as
religion ITSELF The one last night was the
as the name might imply. but celebration
of sacred and classical music, appreciated
best by the highly cultivated ear. There
were many in the audience last night who
went knowing they had not the musical
education or the musical ear to appreciate
the oratorio they were going to hear, but
they wanted to hear some of the "big
music" which is now becoming so popular
in Birmingham. Even people of this class
the uneducated-found many parts of the
programme that were very pleasing.
To those who understood music and to
those who had heard the great oratorlos
and festivals in other cities, however, last
nights entertainment was one of greatest
enjoyment. There were beautiful harmo-
nies and gems of music all through the pro-
gramme.
Very Little Confusion
The crowd began gathering last night at
an early hour, and they were orderly seated
by the ushers. Finally, just before the en-
tertainment began, the last of the orchestra
seats were filled, and the crowd had to be
turned into the galleries. The plan of hav-
ing no reserved seats worked admirably
as it saved all confusion of showing late
comers to their seats. Besides, at musi-
cal entertainment of this kind, distant seats
are considered no disadvantage and many
say that it is better to listen to choral sing
Ing from the galleries.
Promptly at $3.50 last night the ushers
afn tha haf oipr
in until the first number of the programme
was completed, when they were permitted
to go to their seats. This rule was OBJ
served all during the evening, and all con-
fusion was thereby avoided This same
plan will be enforced at the matinee this
afternoon at 2:30 o'clock and again tonight
at $3.50. Admission to all parts of the house
this afternoon will be so cents, and tonight
the same as they were last night-$1 and
IS cents and 50 cents.
, Chorus a Handsome Spectacle
The chorus presented very handsome
spectacle last night. The hundred and fifty
singers were seated on a tier of benches
at the rear of the stage, the gentlemen be-
ing In the center and the ladies, dressed in
white, on either side of them. All were in
evening dress. The rear of the stage was
thickly decorated with bunting. the colors
OF the carnival society. The orchestra was
seated on the main floor of the stage, with
the directors stand in the extreme front.
These two hundred musicians formed an
extremely handsome picture.
The audience was very liberal in its ap-
plause. All three of the solo artists, Miss
Edna Gockel, the piano accompanyist, Mr..
Molenhauer and Professor Guckenberger
were each well received as they appeared
OF the stage. Several handsome floral de-
signs were sent up to Professor Gucken-
berger.
The success Of last nights entertainment
was very gratifying to those gentlemen
who have worked SO hard in making the
festival a success.
81 am satisfied" said President James
Bowron 'Tt was a success in every way,
Ind am almost positive that the perform
ances tomorrow afternoon and night will