New-York tribune., 1902-10-01
MUSIC AT WORCESTER.
THE FoRTY-FIF1H FESTIVAL OPENS
WITH CHADwICKs JUDITH"
lar TELEGRAPH To THE rsIsUsE.l

tBr rELEGRAPH TO TIE rRIsUSEl
Worcester. Mass, Sept so-The skies have not
smiled propitious on the opening of the forty-nfth
festival OF tthe Worcester County Musical Asso-
citation. but there yet considerable cheer In the
artistic features OF the opening concert IN Mechan-
les Hail this evening. For several weeks the
friends OF the institution which has so long given
distinction TO the city have been filled with gloomy
toreoodings For some reason the sale OF suoscrip-
uon tickets this year much smaller than ever
eefore-S.co in round numbers-and the managers
Were confronted with the prospects Of seeing their
reserve fund depleted. There were direfui prophe-
eies 10 the end. paired with the pious hope that
some OF the public spirited citizens OF worcester
might come forward with endowment fund large
enough 20 make such a contingency forever impos-
sioe When the sale Of single tickets began. how
ever. II was found 20 go very well for the first
hshi and more cheerful feeling began TO prevail.
ana there is tonight less apprehension that the end
OF the festivals is come.
90 Tar as the present meeting IL concerned much
VIII depend upon the weather. The programmes
nave never seemed 10 excite much interest at
other festivals as the singers; and, as there Is no
star Of the first magnitude in this years eonstel-
Iauon. succession Of rainy days is likely 20 play
nnanetal havoc. This state Of affairs is deplor-
aDle, Tor the musical scheme is varied, dsniaed
ana beautiful. but IL Is what must be expected in
community that. after fifty years. has not yet
learned that II is unwise every year TO gulp down
al single sitting music that ought properly 10
De spread over season Worcester has It's con-
1ihuous performance OF a weeks duration, and
theh interests itself no more In music for year.
Ahe concert tonight devoted 10 perform
ahee or George w ChadWck's Biblical opera. or
dramatic oratOriO. judith" which had its pro-
ouetion al the festival OF last year. Then IL was
SOhuucted by the composer: tonight Mr.. Chadwick
HeaEu II Tor the first time from the point OF
vantage offered by mere listeners seat. He had
eeSnhed reelection conductor OF the festival
SaT' wallace Goodrich. his associate in the New
England Conservatory OF Music. had been put in
tNs place The new conductor made an admirable
Impression He has a quiet manner which speaks
Oi knowledge Of the technics of the art and con-
Hoshce In his ability 10 make his wishes under
slo"u oy The usual means. He has that essential
'A!Ag hrm ana easily understood beat, and
Sa4a and wide survey Of the work and his forces.
his one deficiency tonight seemed 10 be In tempera
henL lie guided the performers safely and con-
hdently' but he did stir up any enthusiasm
among them
The chorus. as in previous years. is weakest IN
the tenor voice. and. f. spite OF the additional
study. made no better work out OF the dramatic
scenes than II did last year. when shipgreck was
repeatedly imminent. But there much euphony
and some voice shading in the broad choral pas
sases-in al those pages. IN short. IN which Mr.
ShsuNiek INDUCED in Oratorio writing and forgot
his operate ambitions. The composition has evi-
oently taken firm hold on the affections OF the
Worcester audience that feels a OF proprietary
interest IN IL since though not written expressly
for last years festival Il had It's rst performance
at iasb year meeting. II has since been sung N
Ros,on.
The solo parts were in the hands OF Mrs. Ger
trude Nay Stein the original Judith: Theodore Van
YORK, Herbert WitherspoOn and Giuseppe Campa-
mari Mrs Stern is prime favorite here. and
sang IN her usual and unsteady style but
with feW slight slips OF intonation-a most un-
usual occurrence in her case. Campanari was the
most dramatically eloquent Of the men, all OF
whom. however. did full justice to the requirements
Of the and sang with fine freedom.
Mr.. Chadwicks work endured the repetition de-
cdedy well 1 have not yet been persuaded that
its dramatic qualities such call for
stage representation that its melodie invention
IS the high plane OF its orchestral structure; but
it has wonderful fuency and is remarkably well
constructed and closely knit
Mr.. Goodrich received warm welcome on his
entrance, and round after round OF applause at
the end. Very courteously he shared his honoTs
with the composer who the recipient also OF
enthusiastic plaudits- Tomorrow, too. one Of the
choral novelties of the festival scheme will be per-
formed in the evening. Bach's Christmas Ora
torio and the finale Of the first act OF "ParsifaL"
In the afternoon Mr.. Kneisel will conduct a mis-
cellaneous concert the principal feature Of which
will be Cesar Franck's symphony IN d minor.
H. E. X