The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1900-10-08
the work OF conductor, chorus and all
their assistants.
MIR. FFPANGCON. VTES

Those who have seen him on the stage
when his truly spiritual nature was
lighted up to a blaze, finding an outlet
in voice which has made him famous,
hardly realize the charm of his PERSONAL
ty when you meet him, as a reporter of
the PRESS did Saturday night at the Fal-
mouth hotel How gracious he was and
how he put us at our ease by saying:
'When the bell boy knocked at the
door my thoughts, my spirits, were up
on the work that Mr.. Chapman and his
good wife--not TO forget the charming
ladies and gentlemen associated with
them-are doing for the development
OF the national character SO far as Maine
may be permitted to contribute. Such
festivals absolutely touch the character
of your people and, first, I want to en-
phasize their Importance. 1t seems to
me this fact is recognized by the unin-
| ternittent efforts of your association
which brings together great composers,
great artists, great authors from every
corner Of the earth, so to speak, to pour
out from their treasures wonders old and
new in the presence of great audiences
yes, and noticeably good looking ones. -
At this point in the interview some
what jocularIy it was remarked: "This
is one Of the occasions when the pot bolIs
and the best elements come to she sur
face.''
"Truly SO, replied Davies,
''for the ramitications and the silent
workings OF compositions like Elijah
which has just been offered, are not
to be gagged by material measures. 1t
is impossible to say what pearl of great
price Will come from tbs State OF Maine
as a result of William r. Chapman's de-
votion to Ideals.
''Lsst may forget 1t, this very after
room the Very Reverend Dean Sills mod
estIy, but not the less generously, hit the
Davies, wish I could preach such ser
mons as you do when you sing Elijah. u
Mr.. Ffrangcon- Davies, In a reminis-
cent mood, spoke of festivals long since
past and said very feelingIy that he had
never forgotten or ceased TO speak with
unbounded joy In New York, in Boston,
in London, and far away Germany of the
marvellous vitality and spirituality which
shine like diamonds through the singing
Of the chorus Of the Maine Festival.
why, the world cannot beat it If the
choristers so dispose. But you must re-
member that art is long and to artists,
individually and COLLECTIVELY considered,
as they climb, new heights must reveal
themselves.
"As to your chorus,I see an enormous
improvement In them, in authority,
Iclearness and fulIness of tone.''
Asked about the orchestra, the reply
came: sit was delight and Mr.. Chap
nan has with him a fine body Of players
and their work at the rehearsal this
morning was as good as anything could
be and, more than all, they take per-
sonalS delight In assisting us to give a
fine reading of the work.
''Have you not a message to send to your
host of admirers in Maine?''
The answer was: $50 far as am con-
cerned, and have no axe to grind, my
message to the people OF Maine is to
cling to the man, William r. Chapman.
Support him in his endeavors to placs
spiritual things above those material
If you want to sac what I mean, watch
Mr.. Chapman as he conducts; watch his
body, his, face and observe his intensity
and see how he communicates what
he sees himself in the music to the Choir
US and those who heard them sing. BY
supporting his work you VIII be laying
for yourselves treasures for the times
that are to come,
Permit me- to thank the people for
the privilege of painting my picture of
the prophet Elijah and for the insplra-
ton L have drank from their attitudes
at rehearsals and performances. To me
Elijah stands for the power inherent in
humanity OF lighting prinoipa Titles and
powers and OF placing the true above
the falee. And the more we insist upon
the fact that heaven and the eternal
life are mere convertible terms for
spiritual battle and for strife, the better
1t will be for US ALL
OTHERS TALK.
Mr.. Davies's estimate of the Maine
Music festival, as set forth above, is GER
tainly gratifying to his Maine admirers.
Others of Mr.. Chapman's associates also
spoke in words of praise to reporters of
the PRE- IS.
81 am getting my reward for four
years of tremendous work, - said Director
Chapman to reporter of the PRESS
Saturday evening. 1.-THE public of
Maine, the choruses and the artists are
now beginning to appreciate what have
been doing for them for the last four
years. Although L have been doing the
work of twenty men I come out of the
details as light and happy as a boy of
sixteen, Everybody has been right in 1t
with us. want to express my profound
thanks to the public and press of Maine
without whom we could have accom-
plished nothing, The festival has come
to stay, not only as the musical event OF
Maine but Of all New England, Today
| Ahoro ara naonIa from ALI over this conn