The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-06-30
The SANGERFEST
AT CINCINNATI
First of International Concerts
Given Last Night.
OVER 1000 PARTICIPATED
Carpenters Were at Work on the Build
ing a Few Minutes Before Exer-
els IS Begun-Oratorical Con-
"a test Much Admired
OVER 1000 PARTICIPATED

Cincinnati, O., June 29.-Tne first of the
International Saengerfest concerts was
given tonight. An audience that packed
the gallery and almost filled the dress cir
Gle and parquet indicated an attendance of
much over 10000. The chorus and orches-
ira numbered over 2o00. The concert was
to begin at Sis o'cock. At 7:9o small
army of carpenters was still saving and
hammering, as II their lives were the PEN
atty if their failure to finish the seats for
the chorus and in so doing jostled the
chorus girls, who swarmed into their
places with promptness. At the same time
IN the parquet another detachment was
mailing up the last seats in that locality,
while $50 feet overhead workmen were clos
ing the last roof opening of the grand
dome. Five minutes later, as IL by magic,
the sound of hammers ceased and the hum
of human voices filled the greag structure
as the crowds that had gathered at all the
doors were admitted. The last promise of
the contractor and of the local committee
had been kept. The vast interior of the
hall can be described as a many-time
magnifed egg she'll The similarity is in
shape only, as the vast beams and spring.
ing arches and the wilderness OF geometri-
cal braces suggest a strength altogether
different from egg shell structures. The
effect of such great height and sound and
expanse is to bring the audience and the
occupants of the stage into easy compan-
ionship. There was but title opportunity
for elaborate decorations.
Festoons of evergreen at the upper line
where the dome starts, and like festoon-
ing of red white and HUE on ha line i1a1ouy
constituted the decorat tons. The entire in
terror was brilliantly illuminated with arc
lights. At So the applause indicated the
appearance of Louis Ehrgott, the musical
director, and in the hush that followed
came the opening notes of Beethovens con-
secration of the house.
Five minutes later the crash of board
In the balcony opposite the stage, followed
by woman's scream, started what look
ed for an instant like a fearful panic. For
tunately good sense prevailed over needless
fear. The orchestra did not lose a note,
and when quiet was restored applause re-
Warded the cool heads that had restrained
the thoughtless ones and averted a catas-
trophe The first vocal work given was the
Gloria from Barnbys The Lord is King"
by the Cincinnati reception chorus and or
chestra. The test of the acoustic qualities
of the new hall In both the orchestra and
vocal numbers indicated success. The
thrilled the audience that salvos of ap-
plause was given.
The oratorical test seemed equally salts
factory. Welcoming addresses were made
in German by Mayor Tafel. President Bett-
man and President Dieler, of the Northern
Saengerbund responded There was a
touch of pathos In the song "Herbst Leid,"
by Victor Herbert, sung by the Louisville
LiederkranZ, Karl Schmidt conductor This
is the only remaining member of the orig
inal North American Saengerbund
The Philadelphia Young Maennochoir.
which Is on the programme in the second
concert, but Is obliged to leave tomorrow,
sang "Schlafwandel," by Fred Hager. They
were honored by a recall.
The concert closed with a prize cantata
by DR.. N. J. Elsenheimer, of Cincinnati
conducted by the composer. It is entitled
"Weiheder Kuhnzte" (consecra ton OF the
art). The soloists were Miss Sarah Ander-
son, soprano;' Mrs. Marshall. contrelto;
Geo. Hamlin. tenor; Oscar Ehrgott, BARI
tone and Jos. H Berstein, basso. The or.
chestral portion developed novelty and
strength, and the same may be said Of the
entire composition. The chorus especially
elected applause. AS theme pictures
America as the Fostering Home of Art"
the composer ingeniously introduced at the