The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1900-05-16
COLUMBIA's GREAT FESTIVAL.
Expectations More Than Realized.
Everybody Delighted.

Everybody Delighted.
Columbia, May Especial: The
Festival Of Music and Art, recently
mentioned in this correspondence, was
altogether great success. Being the
first of its kind that has been given in
the past few years, it was perhaps
natural to expect that the attendance
might be somewhat smaller than the
Musical Association and friends could
wish. But there was large audience
at each Of the three concerts. The
hall Of the House Of Representatives
was we'll filled at the two night enter
taiuments every seat On the floor was
occupied.
The music was throughout Of very
high order-each of the performers ex-
hibitiug the qualities Of an artist.
The quartet--soprauo, centralto,,
tenor and baritone-was strikingly well
trained, each voice showing to adVant-
age, yet all uniting to make a most
harmonious and effective chorus.
Nine. CleanoTa Meredith has a So
prano that may be said to have few
superiors, whatever qualities may be
considered as essential. Her training
is of the very highest order, her COM
pass extraordinary and her execution
ESPECIALLY in the highest tones) really
wonderful. At the first hearing there
is some impression of the mechanical
But this soon gives place to apprecia-
ton Of the power Of her voice and her
admirable enunciation. She made a
fine impression through hout.
Miss Mray Louise Clary is the pos.
SCISSOR of genuine cont1alto voice Of
rare compass and still more rare pow
er. Some of her notes, from their
strength and depth, might be account
ed masculine but for that extraordinary
sweetness which makes them as those
of woman who, artist as she is, feels
all that she sings. Miss Clary was en-
cored after each Of her solos, and she
was manifestly the favorite from first
to last.
Mr.. William h. Reiger, the tenor,
sings beautifully. His training has
evidently been Of a most thorough
character, but it has not affected that
love Of music which makes Mr.. Rieger's
own music delightful throughout. His
voice is natural-altogether free from
that straining observable in so many
tenors. His enunciation is most excel
lent, and his general style "tsking1 IN
the extreme. He left fine impress
sion.
MI. Heinrich Meyn has a baritone
notable less for.power than for smooth
ness, expressi7eness, and what might
be termed tunefulness. His enuncia-
ton is excellent, and he sings always
in good taste.
Miss Celia Schiller, the pianiste, has
perfect command Of the instrument and
plays always in excellent taste. She
was favorite with the audience, whose
appreciation Of each Of heG solos was
enthusiastically shown.
An expert performer on the harp is
rarely heard. Such, indeed, is Mr..
John Cheshire. No sweeter music
ever charmed an audience than what he
gave during the Festival. He has mar
Yelous command Of the instrument, his
softest notes sometimes barely audible)
being as clear, as expressive, as his
strongest. His renditions were fea-
ture at esch entertainment.
None Of all the music was more ap-
preciated than was the chorus from
Waener's "FIytng Dutchnan," given
by sixty young ladies of the Presby-
terian College for Women, under the
direction Of Mr.. H. j. +. Mayser with
Miss Ida Missildine as accompanist.
There was evidence Of admirable train
ing, whilst the naturalness of the sing
ing was one os its chief attractions.
The MAY Queen" a csutata by Sir
". Sterndale Bennett, was given By a
mixed chorus Of 40 voices, under the
direction of Mr. Mayser, with Miss
Missildine as accempanist, the quartet
Of professionals also taking part. In
every part the music was most excellent.
Taken as a whole, the Festival may
be accounted decided success. That
success reflects especial credit upon Mr..
q. J. +. Mayser, director Of the depart
ment of music in the Presbyterian Col
leee for Women. The really arduous
work Of planning and preparation fell
chiefly upon him. How well he met
expectation and responsibility alike is
sufficiently attested by the high. class
yet, really enjoyable entertainments
which were the outcome Of his plans.
Nor must it be forgotten that an ele-
ment in the success of the FestiVal-es-
sential to its inception and to its con-
summstion-is the musical taste Of
Columbia, to the culture and the eleVa-
ton Of which no one influence has con-
tributed more than the Presbyterian
College for Women.
The art exhibit was no less sppre-
ciated than the concerts. Large crowds
of people interested in art took adVan-
tsge Of this opportunity to see some OF
its finest productions.
Already people are talking Of next
years Festival-forit is to be Of annual
recurrence.