Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1903-06-25
THE SAENGERFEST.
The Great Musical Festival Inaugu-
rated at st. Louis.
SHORT ACCOUNTOF THE PROCEEDINGS
A Mixed Chorus Of Six thousand Voices and
One Of the Largest Orchestrss Ever As
sembled In America-Fifteen Thou
sand Spectators In the Building.


history of the country was inaugu
rated last night in the liberal art
building at the worlds fair grounds
when $4,000 spectators listened to thu
opening concert of the thirty-frst
national saengerfest, given under thu
auspices OF the North American
Saengerbund. The opening might
programme included famous voca
soloists, mixed chorus Of 5000 voices
and one of the largest orchestras
ever assembled In America.
The interior of the liberal arts
building was as gaily decorated as
the blending of colors could produce
and multitude of electric lights
heightened the effect, making the
scene one Of SURPRISING grandeur
On o high rostrum the singers ap'
peared and behind them o sea OF
chorus singers.
The doors Of the immense build
ing were thrown open at seven
o'clock, when 5000 people were walt.
ing for admission. The first part OF
the structure to fill was the amphi-
theater, occupied by the chorus and
orchestra. The main floor then be-
gan filing steadily as the hundreds
came streaming through the dozen
entrances for two hours.
The saengerfest was officially
opened by President Otto +. Stifel,
who introduced President David Z.
Francis, of the worlds fair. Presi-
dent Francis gave the saengerfest
welcome to the worlds fair and
Mayor Rolla Wells accorded welcome
to St. Louis. Responses followed by
President Stifel, of the saengerfest,
and President j. Hanno Deiler, OF
the North American Saengerbund.
President Deiler concluded by form
ally presenting the flag Of the thir-
tieth saengerfest, held in Buffalo, to
the thirty-frst saengerfest, and upon
the presentation the vast numbers
of spectators with mighty energy
gave three resounding cheers. The
orchestra then played Wagner's
"KaiSermarsch" and as the music
swept through the spacious audito-
rum thousands Of people in the ex.
bilaration of the symphony instinc-
tIvelv claimed their hands in express
sion Of applause.
ohestra me male chorus of 5000
Voices hurst forth in Wagner's ITO
the Arts" accompanied BY the or
cbestra
Nine Louise Homer. of the Metro
,,o,nan ,,p4ra cou,pany, OF New York,
pne 81 he famous contraltos, was the
Srst soloist to be heard. Her num-
her was the powerful contralto aria
trom Meverbeer's "Le Prophe IL"
Tbe American singer was in fine fet-
lie 10 distinguish herself, and the au-
d;ence was demonstrative in its APP
Vocation
Interesting 10 an exceptional de-
;ntroduc;no one Of the great
sars,rn .olo,sts Of the present saen-
carfest the exclusively melodious
49, =, .hs arst act Of Memberships
.I or.,s,p on mo newt with Nine. Kath-
..,na F,s,scher.Edel primn donna Of
~ u...L,,.. s..at theotar. In the so.
49, s nart sunnorted Inv the festival
i'i~.d .horus ~ 81. Louis and the
~. o.abas.-o The choral achieve
sSa $40. !. MI Mendelssobn composi-
.,s. 80. - a d,stinonisbed order.
.n vA ,,.ad ~ ths tem,nine and mas.
ny IT, s .a,... hs,rc ,rusuallv GOOD
sus ~. .ho-sI resnonseivness 10
~ ns..",,, most sxcelIent The or.
49, .ao.. eor,d rot we'll have
Snos'ioI saPpS- 80 Iii. .ho suc.