The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1900-05-16
THE MUSICAL FESTIVAL

The third annual festival Of the associa-
ton opened at Gates opera house, White
River Junction, on Monday evening, May 7,
DR.. Drake directing in the absence Of Mr..
Blaisdell, The chorus opened rather weak
in numbers but OF xcellent quality, with
less of dead wood and poor timer than last
year Wednesday afternoon Mr.. Blaisdell
arrived and worked the chorus faithfully.
Thursday afternoon was given the first
matinee which was fine one, worthy set
evening concert, the numbers being render
ed by the chorus talent. The opening num-
Der was given by Mrs. Dunbar OF Lebanon,
N. H., who rendered "Grass and Roses"
very nicely. "Oh My Redeemer," by Mrs.
Belknap of South Royalton, fine compost
ton and finely rendered. A violin solo by
Miss Lucia Skinner of Royalton an Ouvre
by Bsccalay Miss SINNERS execution is
excellent and her manner on the stage is
simply above criticism. "God With U.s."
was given by Mr.. McGeehon OF Hartland,
good baritone. when the Heart is Young
by Mrs. Emma Parker of franklin Falls,
n. H., charming singer, and receiving an
encore gave "The Question: or Tell me,
do You Love Me-" and the applause of the
audience rather indicated that it did. Piano
solo by Mrs. Walker OF franklin Falls, N
H., good, but too long. A contralto song
by Miss Sturtevant Of Hsrtland, ITO All
Eternity" sung as Miss Sturtevant always
sings-well, but declined an encore. 1.-THE
Four Seasons" by Miss Anna Somerville OF
st. Johnsbury, who responded TO an encore
with Golden Poppies," and the matinee
closed with several characteristic selections
by the Dartmouth quartette. Not all sing
ers appreciate the effect Of facial express
sion on an audience, and If some would
sing before their mirrors IL is believed such
expressions would sometimes receive quite
important modification.
This matinee deserves special mention,
as being given by the chorus talent, and the
excellence OF the performance indicates the
talent among the local musicians, and no
doubt there were others in the chorus who
could have performed with equal credit had
not the time limit forbidden. Such festivals
do an excellent work for singers and more
of them might be proftsbly be held.
Thursday evening each OF the solo artists
was repeatedly encored, though Mr.. Nc
Kinley seemed to win the heartier appreci-
handled, and his delivery spirited. The
Evening Hymn" was the best thing OF the
chorus and was fine. AT the matinee on
Friday varied and interesting programme
was presented.
Mr. Mckinley, the tenor, was plainly
the favorite OF the audience, though Mr..
Beresford received hearty applause. He is
q hasso f the robusto variety, and talented
performer Miss Wright has high soprano
with marvellous execution. Miss Hussey
has a rather light but sweet contralto and
made good impression. Mr.. Grilley, the
impersonator, is an artist, and the audiencs
appreciated his selections to the extent that
he had some difficulty 10 getting away aftee
his numbers from the repeated encores.
The piano solo, with orchestra accom-
plishment, very noisy and difficult COM
position, recalled the remark of Douglass
Jerrold who, listening with friend to such
performance and not admiring il, and his
friend remarking, but just think how diff.
cult it is." replied, would 10 God it had
been impossible"
The Oratoro was excelleutly given, the
solos with spirit, the singing with discrimin-
alton, and the festival has been success.