The age-herald., 1900-05-13
Echoes of the
 May Festival
By William Ryan.

The Boston Festival orchestra and the soloists-al but Campanari-left yester- day morning for Chattanooga, and from that city they go to Louisville for three- days festival, in which Sembrich will be the star. Campanari proceeded from Birmingham to Washington.
 But, although the musicians have depart- ed, sweet echoes finger. The festival was in many respects better than that of last year The orchestra was not as large as a festival orchestra should be, but it was made up of good performers and its work was as a rule, highly satisfactory. As for the majority of the vocal artists, they were so much finer than those of a year ago that there Was hardly a comparison. Campanar was the only one who made a furor at the first festival The others made little or no impression, and few persons in Birming- ham would be able now to recall even their names But along with Campanari MT. Miles will be remembered a great bari tone-one of the greatest. Evan Williams, the tenor, will be reme embered, too, for such a sweet singer is not often heard. Miss Bouton, Miss Stein and Miss Provan was each adequate to her role. Miss Bouton made an especially fine impression and her name will certainly not be forgot. As to the festival chorus it was almost ideal. Never before was such a chorus heard in Alabama. Birmingham must be proud of this band of singers. Without a chorus there can be no such thing as a music fes- tival, strictly speaking. All honor, then to the men and women who worked long and faithfully in mastering the music which so delighted all lovers of harmony Thursday and Fridayi
 Among musical folk the festival was naturally the chief topic Saturday The Age-Herald's criticisms were quite gener- ally endorsed The Age Herald referred to the "Meistersinger" the work in which the chorus shone most brilliantly Meet ing four or five educated musicians I ask ed each this question: (Which chorus was best done?" And in each case the re- ply came quickly: "Mestersnger" MT Chalifoux, who has perhaps had as much experience in studying and hearing music as any one in Birmingham, after MT. Guckenberger, was one of those who spoke in unstinted praise of the perform ance- of the "Meistersinger"
 No Deficit
 It will be several days yet before the Br- mingham Music Festival association can know just how it stands financially, but it is thought that it will come out without d deficit.
 The. expenses of this festival exceeded those of the festival of 1899 by $1 100 or
  management engaged makes the difference seem small
 In settling with Manager Stewart, who furnished the orchestra and soloists, the association, it is understood induced him to deduct $200 for his failure to bring the orchestra parts for the ''Whirl and Twrl" song, from Flying Dutchnian,'" which the female chorus was to have sung, and the music for "Senta's Ballad" which Miss Bouton was to have rendered.
 Nf the part of MT. Stewards organization the two numbers referred to had to be dropped from the matinee programme, much to the 1 disappointment of MT. Guckenburger, the musical director, and the members of the chorus, who had spent time and labor on the study of the piece, to say nothing of the disappointment on the part of the au- dence.
 Of course there will be another festival next May. music lover who is in no way connected with the festival assoca- ton suggests that the surest way to make a festival pay will be to employ the Thomas