Omaha daily bee., 1903-05-10
TREAT FOR MUSIC LOVERS
Afternoon and Evening Concerts o. Nay
Festival Pronounced Successes.
CHORUS AND soLolsTs ALIKE PLEASING
Large Audiences Attest Appreciation
By Hearty Applause and Ar
lists Respond with
Encores.

Last nights concert of the May Musical
festival was as easy as an old shoe-0n
affair OF friends. The people had heard
orchestra and singers and knew what to
expect from each and that It would be
good; che musicians felt that their audience
was = h them in appreciation, and gave
their hArmonies the more happily. In all
affairs of this kind the average person
who loves music but is not much learned
ia the same, lie troubled by a certain feel
ing Of duty 10 the artistic ideal. and so
sometimes an unfortunate restraint casts
a chill over all; but not so last night; the
people felt that they had laid their tribute
before the vague and rather disquieting
god Of classic music, and were at their ease
TO enjoy and applaud where their fancy
dictated. And the soloists also turned TO
the quieter little gems, with only the plano
for accompaniment, having on former
evenings shown their powers in the greater
numbers
In the afternoon the ~soloists we're Sue
Harrington Furbeck, contralto; Arthur
Beresford, baritone; w. c. e. Seeboeck,
pianist. and Mr.. Franz Wagner 'cellist.
Mrs. Furbeck sustained the splendid i'm
preston she had already made by singing
the "Habanera" from Carmen" respond
ing to an encore. Mr.. Beresford substi-
tuted the "Dio Possente." (even bravest
hearD from Sounod's Faust" for the
number program ana was greeted with
great applause. He has grown to be a
popular favorite on account largely OF his
fine voice, his good stage presence and his
earnest, honest musical work.
Mr.. Wagner played a cello solo most ac-
ceptably and secured favor with the audi
ence.
Mr.. Seeboeck played four number Of his
own composition to the evident delight Of
the audience, as he was compelled to re-
spond to the vigorous applause by bowling
repeatedly and finally playing an encore,
his own "Minuet Antique which caused
an extra encore.
The orchestra made another ten strike"
Novelty In Evening.
The evening program was opened by a
novelty, the overture Land Of the Noun
tain and the Flood" by Hamish MacCunn.
Mr.. Hamlin was vociferously ~applauded
after a very interesting group of songs,
the enunciatlon, tone color and interpreta-
ton Of which were we'll nigh perfect.
Genevieve Clark Wilson was also given a
most enthusiastic reception, singing Two
beautiful numbers, one by Mcdowell. the
other by Henschel. giving in response to
great applause Liza Lehman's Swing
Song"
The Chicago Symphony orchestra gave
an excellent following Of the conductors
(Mr. Rosenbecker) reading of a movement
from the Gypsy Suite" of Edward German,
that intensely interesting writer who was
chosen to finish the posthumous work OF
Sir Arthur Sullivan. This demanded and
received a double encore.
The quartette from ''Rigoletto' closed the
FIRST part OF the program.
For the second part the Swan and Sky
lark" of Arthur Goring Thomas, a cantata
for four soh, chorus and orchestra, was
presented with unctuous smoothness, grace
and dramatic beauty by Genevieve Clark
Wilson, soprano; Sue Harrington Furbeck.
contradict; George Hamlin. tenor. and
Arthur Beresford. baritone, the May Festi-
val Choir and the Chicago Symphony Or
chestra. Mr.. Rosenbecker conducted the
entire performance.
The work is a very dihicult one and 1t
was splendidly presented. The May Festi-
val Choir had more opportunity for finish,
shading, than in "Hiawatha" and had fully
as many, II not more, difficult cues to
watch. Conductor Rosenbecker warmly
compllmented their work.
The sololsts were each thoroughly up in
the parts, and gave them with the highest
art demanded. Mrs. Wilson, in the Sky
lark part. made the most OF a beautifully
written piece OF NOcallzatlOn, and MT. HAM
Inns Swan" song was delivered superbly.
Mrs. Furbeck and Mr.. Beresford also sus-
tained their parts admirably.
The Omaha people who have failed TO
take advantage OF last nights performance
missed one OF the very best concerts ever
given In Omaha and lost the opportunity
of hearing four great artists. But the
same is true of all of these concerts.
Musicians agree, and also those who are
not musicians, that while Nordica and
De Reszke are absolutely. beyond all
question, Incompatible. yet Omaha has
seldom heard and will seldom hear con-
certs superior to last nights.
sunday Program.
May Festival choir, Thomas ]. Kelly.
conductor; Chicago Symphony orchestra,
Adolph Rosenbecker, conductor.
Soloists-Mrs. Genevieve Clark Wilson,
soprano; Mrs. Sue Harrington Furbeck,
contralto; Mr.. George Hamlin, tenor; Mr..
Arthur Beresford, baritone.
The Stabat Mater" CLatin hymn Rosstni
Largo ftahael
% "Rustles OF Spring ..".""... .sinding
Mr.. seeboeck.
() Deeper, Deeper stir. .............
(o) WAIT Her. Angels .....""....., .
Mr.. Hamlin.
synphony-Messiah ................ Handel