St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1902-01-22
CHORAL UNION.
The Time of the Annual Festival Draw
ing NeRr.

The Time of Ihe Annual Festival Draw
ing Near.
Rehearsals and preparations are going
on actively at present for what will un-
doubtedly be the best festival yet held in
st. Johnsbury. The dates set for the
principal concerts are February Goth
and DIST, and public rehearsals will be
held during the earlier part of the same
week. An unusually attractive list of
singers and features is being made up by
the executive committee, and the concert
programs are sure to afford the listener
a rare treat.
The Verdi Requiem will be a special
feature of the Festival week, the great
est work of the great Italian composer.
To give this beautiful work a large or
chestra four eminent soloists and very
large chorus are necessary. 1t is doubt
full whether this work will be given here
or in the vicinity again in years, if ever,
for it's production is both difficult and
expensive, hence the Choral Union offer
an opportunity to hear one of the
worlds finest musical works, which may
not be repeated and should not be missed.
The Requiem will be presented on Fri
day, Feb. Dist. On Thursday, Feb. Goth
varied program Of exceptional char
acter will be given. Max Bruch's bright
and captivating cantata, Pair Ellen"
will be given, a suite of selected choruses,
solos, ETC., from Wagner's "Tannhauser"
including the two famous "Pilgrim's
Choruses," by large male chorus, Wolf
rams "Song to the Evening Star, solos,
duets, and quartets by the artists en-
gagged and other numbers all of which
will be announced later and which assure
feast of music.
The leading soprano engaged for the
Festival is Anita Rio, who sang the
Messiah" at Boston so acceptably last
Christmas. She enjoys very wide and
eminent reputation as a singer Of rare
ability, and is sure to please the most
critical. Another rare treat is in store
tor attendants at the Festival in hsten-
ing to DR.. Jackson, the tenor soloist. An
eminent musician places him at the head
of the list Of lyric tenors in our country,
and the strength and beauty of his voice
are sure to captiVate his hearers. 1t has
been only after long correspondence and
special effort that his services have been
secured.
Mr.. Frederic Martin will sing the bass
arias in the works rendered. beside a
number of selected solos which will show
his rich and sonorous voice to the best
advantage. Mr.. Martins work in Bos-
ton with the Symphony Orchestra and
in difficult oratorios has won fattering
commentator. Further announcements
and particulars regarding artists and
their selections will be made later.
The character of the work done by the
Choral Union has been steadily improv-
ing during the last few years as was
shown at last years Festival and at the
Thanksgiving concert last November. 1t
would have been doubtful whether the
work being done this season could have
been carried through successfully three
or four years ago, and its growing sue
cess is the best proof of the worth of it's
continuation. Everybody should plan
to attend all the concerts and rehearsals
possible during the Festival week. both
| for the support of the Union and because
of the rare value of the programs to be
presented.