Daily Kennebec journal., 1900-04-21
THE FESTIVALS.
Plans for the Great Event of
Next October.
Some Of the Famous Stars Who Are
Engaged.
fhe Fourth Festival Will Be ihe Bes! CT Them
All.

liz pa tAilCt scatiS ltlC SICeil 'DttC'NA
festivals of music in Bangor and in
Portland have been the events of the
season for the State Of Maine. Thell
excellence and merits have entitled
them to rank with the other great
festivals Of the country, and William
+. Chapman, whose perseverance and
abilities made them possible, has well
deserved and earned the praise he has
received from press and public. When
he brought the great ccloratura
singer, Nine. Marcella Sembrich, to
he festival last season, and when it
was proven that the attendant ex-
penscs were too heavy for the receipts
and that retrenchment must be made
somewhere, it was thought by many
that the acme had been reached.
The pessimst said: "The future
festivals could never be as good, or
kept up to the standard which Mr..
Chapman set at SO high a mark when
he brought the beloved Maine singer,
Madame Nordica, to the first festival,
in 1897"
Not so,' said Mr.. Chapman.
With a determination which is a
strong point in his character, he set
about for a way to overcome this diff
Guilty and still keep the same high
grade of excellence in solo artists.
Upon consultation he found, that if
more festivals We're given, more en-
gagcments for the same artists made
at the same time for consecutive
weeks, the great singers would be
willing to consider faVorably a
months engagement in America at
this season Of the year, when one or
two dates would not tempt them. and
the contracts could be made mutually
beneficial. This he planned to do, and
this he has DONE and it has proved a
master stroke to accomplish his de
sired purpose, and is the keystone
reason why he can promise to the
Maine festival today such wonderful
array of artists.
the manager of the artists for Wor-
cester festival was glad to fall in line
with Mr.. Chapman to thus secure the
grand opera singers. Festivals have
shire ana Vermont. under the personal
supt rVision of Henri G. Blaisdell. who
has been well and favorably known in
this section, and who in connection
with Mr.. Chapman. will conduct the
choruses and festivals in these two
states, on the same general plan as
the Maine festivals.
Mr.. Chapman. therefore, has come
before the committees Of eastern and
western Maine associations with a list
If artists never before eXccIlcd by any
festival prospectus, and he will fur
nish these artists under the existing
circumstances at a lower figure than
would have been possible if only th4
Maine festivals We're J. b considered.
In the event Of again producing the
"ratorio Of the Elijah, Mr.. Chapman
was anxious to secure the wonderful
artist who made SO important ana i'm
pressivc the title role, at the renLiti N
two years ago; ana although it had
been reported that Frangeon-Davies
would not come to America this
season.
Mr. Chapman was not satisfied unit
cables and letters were exchanged witt
this result which will surely crafty III
music lovers
D; Frangeon-Davies the Elijah, vii
Maine. Mr.. Davies Will also sing in The
uratorio, Les Beatitudes in Worcester.
He needs no Introduction or eulOSy il
Maine. Those who listened to his singin-
two years ago will await his return witt
joyful anticipation, and those who wer,
not 50 fortunate then, will he gratcfu
tiat another opportunity Is given them t.
hear this world renowned ana famou.
49, hnT
as well as all over Europe and America
is Nine. Lillian Blauvclt who has bCcl
induced to return for brief season Q
concerts here, one Of the principal rea
sons being that Mr.. Chapman desired he
to be the prima donna soprano Of thcs'
festivals. Nine. Blauvclt returns t
America, weighed down with hpnors sh'
| has received from crowned heads. and Il
| the highest musical circles in Europe
Richard Burmeistcr. the talented plan
| iSt a star feature of the festival Las
season. Mr.. Chapman has persuaded Mr.
Hurmcistcr to again visit Maine as solo
| ist at the festivals this year, ana he vii
also play i'll New Hampshire and Ncr
mont.
These three great artists. although the,
| have already been heard at the Main
festivals, may be sure OF hearty wei
come. All the other singers this seasD.
are new to the festivals; most Of then
new to Maine. Mr.. Chapman has en-
dcavored. ever since he started upon thi
work to give to the festivals the best az
| lists possible in their different lines. r.
] ginning with the marvellous queen o
song Nine. NordiCa, then the great Ger
| man singer. Nine. Gadski, and the match
| less cOloraturd singer, Nine. Scmbrich
| he adds this season the greatest cOntral
| to of the day. acknowledged by all critic
| to be the most wonderful voice in the op
| era or concert world. Nine. Schumann
| Hcink who. coming to this country las
wear with the Grau Opera Company. ere
ated an enthusiasm for the alto roles o
the grand operas seldom if ever arouse
before. A marvellous voice under pericc
control with tones 50 rich and 50 fun tina
| they leave nothing to be desired: a mag
| niticcnt physique, strong, magnetic an,
| personal charm. Nine. Schumdnn-lleinl
stands prc-eminent today among the con
| traltos of the world: and Nine. Schuman
Urink will sing to the music lovers -
| New England this fan. through the eI
| forts and persistcncY of Mr.. Chapman
| This will be her first appearance i
| Maine. ana no one can afford 10 miss TIN
| chance TO hear her.
| Another great attraction OF the Metro
| politan opera forces, is Sig. tamplnail
! who will he one Of the star features TIN
| season Sig. Campanari was in Portiah
| some years ago, but never at the ieSl
walls. and Mr.. Chapman feels sure that u
| will prove The source Ui great pleasure /
| the festival patrons. Cdmplnarl is Al
| ways reliable. a1fablc and magnetic
! while thr Smoothncss ana perfection q
| tome quality in his truly beautiful voic
rank him among the best Of the baritone