St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1899-05-24
A NOTABLE SUCCESS.
The Musical Festival under the Auspi-
ces of the Choral Union.-Brilliant
Work of all the Participants and En-
jOyable Matinees and Concerts.

Ces OIL the CnOfaI UmIOn.-hfIII1nnt
Work of all the Participants and En-
jOyable Matinees and Concerts.
The festival of 1899 will be long re-
membered as the most brilliant and
successful musical event that has ever
been given in st. .Johnsbury. We might
well go farther and truly say that moth
ing outside the larger cities of New Eng.
land has ever been rendered with more
enthusiasm and finish than Mende-
ssohn's Hymn of Praise" and Doni.
zetti's opera Lucia di Lammermoor.
That splendid chorus leader, Prot.
Blaisdell of Concord, was especially for
tunate in the power and expression of
his chorus. The chorus numbered about
125 and included besides the local singers,
many OF whom had been under his train
ing for several years past, many good
singers from other towns and cities.
The chorus has worked faithfully through
the winter and they were amply repaid
for their efforts at the festival where they
won the deserving praise of their enthus-
iastic audiences.
"The Hymn OF Praise" written in
1910 to commemorate the 40Oth ami
versary Of the invention Of printing, was
the oratorio work of the festival. Many
critics are inclined to pronounce it Men
delssohns greatest work and it is rarely
given by choral societies. 1t is what its
name indicates-a tribute of praise
full of vigorous passages and triumphant
melodies. This was given as the second
part of Thursdays concert and both
soloists and chorus did most excellent
work. The soloists were Miss S. Marcia
Craft of Boston and Mr.. E. c. Towne of
New York. One of the gems OF the whole
piece was the duet, II waited for the
Lord" which was beautifully sung by
Miss Craft and Miss Ethel Abbott of st.
Johnsbury. Miss Abbott received at the
close hearty congratulations on the sue
cess of her part.
The feature of Thursdays matinee was
the chorus singing by the school children.
This was an innovation in a musical
festival and attracted the largest audi
ence of the week. There were nearly 800
in the chorus and the three selections
were given with precision and much
finish. Prof. Pickells, teacher of music in
the schools, conducted this part of the
programme and deserves great credit for
the musical development of his pupils
whom he has instructed for only six
months.
On the same afternoon Miss H. Julia
Cross Of Montpelier sang Gounod's S
Repentance" with much expression.
Her voice shows wide range and be-
sides favoring the audience with a song
she was a great hel in all the choruses.
Harry H. May, now of West Concord,
sang on Friday afternoon "Toreador,
Hola," by Trotere, with iull orchestral
accompaniment and was enthusiastically
recalled after an excellent rendition of
this stirring song.
The three soloists, Miss Graft, of
Boston and MIR. Towne and Mr.. Duff of
New York were very generous i'll their
songs at both matinees and Thursday
evening. All are favorite singers in St.
Johnsbury having appeared in former
festivals
Miss Craft charmed her audience with
every selection, but those of special merit
were Cry aloud! Spare notl" from
Isaiah" the Jewel Song" from Faust
and "The Swallows" by Cowen.
Mr.. Towne has very sympathetic
voice and all his songs were artistically
rendered. His solo work with the chorus
in the Flight into Egypt" and the
"Feast of Adonis" was highly appre-
ciated.
Mr.. Duff sang withgreat spirit "Wave
from wave" from Israel in Egypt" and
Massenet's Vision Fair" and one of the
gems of the festival was the duett "Cruc-
fix" by Faure, grandly rendered by
Messrs. Townc and Duff.
Blaisdel's orchestra was great addi-
ton to each days programme and the
selections played showed the delicacy
and skill OF each of the performers. On
Thursday evening Mr.. B. Frank Harris
accompanied the orchestra at the piano
in De Kontski's awakening of the
Lion" which is always a universal
favorite. Mr.. Harris also acceptably ac-
companied the soloists in their songs,
and Miss Margaret Gorham, who has
played for the chorus during the winter,
contributed much during the week to
the success of the performances and by
her perfect accompaniment.
The festival ended Friday evening,
with the singing of the opera Lucia di
Lammermoor," with full chorus, orches-
ira and soloists. Mrs. p. F. Hazen and
Mr.. May were added to the soloists from
abroad, and w. B. Lance of Cabot sang
in the famous sextette.
The production Of this great opera
was fitting finale to a great musicale
week. The audience were appreciative
and the soloists were at their best. This
was the personnel of the opera:
Lord Henry Ashton. Baritone, DR.. Duff
| Miss Lucia, his sister, Soprano. Miss Craft
| Sir Edgar OF Ravenswood, Tenor, Mr.. Towne
Lord Arthur Bucklaw, Tenor, Mr. Lance
Alice, companion to Lucia, Mezzo Soprano,
Mrs. Hazen