Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1900-02-22
GRAND MUSICAL FESTIVAL.
All Vermont Will Assist in Max
ing it a Success.
Steps Taken Last Week to Form State
Organization Which Will Have
Branches in the Principal Towns,
All Meeting in Burlington.

large number or BurlinEton's repre-
sentative people gathered Thursday night
al the parlors of the Van Ness House to
meet Irof. W. X. Chapman of New York
city and Prof Henri c. Blaisdell of Con-
cord, n. H., and to discuss the advisable
ity of forming State musical organila-
ton. The meeting was very enthusiastic
and before the close an organization was
formed which will undoubtedly introduce Il
new era in Vermont musical circles and
Will place her festivals on level wi Ii
lnoSe OF greatest note throughout the
country. The pan is TO introduce in tho
festivals the greatest operate and concert
singers in the world and this plan is mad T.
feasible by the establishment throughout
New England of series of festivals
where these Artists are to sing
The festivals will be under
the direction of Prof. Chapman and he
will be assisted by Prof. Blaisdell. The in
PRODUCTION in Vermont of such artists as
Madame Nordica, Madame Calve, Emma
Eames, Madame Scmbrich, Schumann-
lieink, Edouard DE Rezske aud Campanari
VIII he Il decided novelty and will place
the best talent in the world at a price
which will enable all to attend the festi-
walls.
Prof Chapman was in the city through
out the day Thursday and interested the
musical people to such an extent that
those i'll attendance in the evening were
eager TO form an organzatio Prof. Chap
man was introduced by Mayor Roberts
with few remarks saying that he under
stood that Prof. Chapman had come here
to make arrangements to give a musical
festival next fall in which he would in
troduce some of the best artists in the
country. H SD hat Prof ca apm IN was
one OF the most prominent conductors IN
New York city and had a large acquaint-
ance with the leading singers in the coun-
try and this enabled him to introduce
al rnf 7la r,,iya
of his success in organizing the musical
talent IN Maine, where he has a chorus
OF POGO voices and has a festival that draws
people from ali parts OF the State. His
festival there is known to artists all over
the world and is highly spoken of by them.
lie said his plan was to organize a musi-
cal trust and in this way bring these mu-
steal artists within the reach of the peo-
pie outside the large centcrs, He proposes
TO organize State Choruses in all the New
England States and possibly in Northern
New York. These choruses will hold fes-
tivals in their respective States in the fall
and Will come in succession so that the
great artists whose prices are fabulous
can be secured on satisfactory basis.
The plan of work will ne to form a cho-
rus In this city of as many singers as pos
slhle. Rehearsals will be held under the
direction of Prof Blalsdell and Prof Chap
man. The work taken up Will be the best
operate ana concert selections Chol1lsos
VIII also be organized in other towns and
cities In the State and in the fall probably
III october, the festival Will he held The
choruses in the other cities and towns
VIII be drilled in the same work and by
the same leaders. They Will meet in Bur-
lngton at the Time OF the festival, which
Will continue for three days, with three
evening conctr ts and two matineeS. The
festival will be conducted by Prof Chap
man, who will also furnish the orches tra
ana secure the artists. ransemcnts are
already being made with the railroads and
their support has been pledged
With such stars as have been mentioned
immense numbers OF people will be at
tracted from all parts of the State and the
festival Will be a great success. No guar
antee Is asked by Mr.. Chapman except en-
thusiasm and a committee of 80 to De
known as the board of management who
will work faithfully for the success of
the festival He wishes to secure
choGus of 800 voices in the State lie
suggested that the name of the organiza-
ton be the ermont Musical Festival As
ISOLATION. The choruses in each town will
be continued from year to year and dues
will be charged sufficient TO pay the cost
OF music and incidentals. Each town
chorus will have its own governing board
and will send delegates to the meeting of
the State association. The price of chorus
tickets for the festival he thought wouSd
he 81 while deserved seat tickets for the
i've entertainments would be s.. At the
close of Pros Chapman's explanation
Prof. Blaisdell made a few suggestions.
unanimous vote was then taken in ia
Vor of forming the association. It will
be called the Vermont Musical Festival
Association All of the New Eng
land States are in the circuit
and Nermonters will have the pr.vi-
leg OF listening to the stars that have at
tanned such popularity in the large cities
and musical centres. The work of re-
hearsing will be begun within a month.