The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-05-24
The Music Festival To-day.

The May Festival of the Indianapolis
Oratorio Society will take place to-day at
Roberts Park Church. Two concerts will
be given-the first this afternoon at 2:l5
and the second this evening at Sis. these
entertainments bringing the regular mu-
steal season in this city to a close.
chorus of nearly 800 voices. four artists OF
reputation. a special orchestra and a pro-
gramme of exceptional merit. embracing
selections from the standard oratorios and
miscellaneous numbers, Is the oHerlns 10
be presented.
Edward Taylor. who so ably conducted
the Messiah" production. given for the
benefit of the Flower Mission last FeOru-
airy will again direct the chorus, thus as
surfing finished programme Mrs; Joseph
inc Bremmerman Edmunds. whose So
prano voice has so frequently thrilled IN
dianapolis audiences: Miss Florence AZ
kins, contralto; Nine. Birdie bye pianiis.e.
who comes 10 the city with the hlshest
praises heralding her, and Miss Jeanette
Orlof, violinist, pupil and protege OF
Wilhelmj, viii appear IN sDecial NUMBERS
at the two concerts.
Owing To the desire that every seat of
the large auditorium be filled. tickets for
general admission to the matinee VIII De
reduced to % and 30 cents.
Holden Company i'm "The Christian"
The Holden stock company began the
the Park yesterday. presenting the drama
tization of Hall Gaines popular novel. The
Christian" When the Holden organiza-
ton was playing successful season at the
Park last spring this drama was secured,
on the royalty plan. by Manager Holden
and given a creditable production. The
players were new to their parts at that
time. and as a result the performance
which they gave was not so smooth as it
might have been. Since then they have
enacted THE Christian many times, and
the play was put on the stage yesterday
afternoon and last night in way that
reused the large audiences to enthusiasm.
The version of the story presented by the
Holden combination is the same as that
which was so successfully employed sew
eral seasons ago by Viola Allen and E. j.
Morgan. 1t requires the full strength of
the Holden forces, and. in some respects,
is more ambitious effort than was last
weeks production of Resurrection" The
stage settings are in every way adequate
and In one or two instances quite hand
some, and the stage management Of John
A Preston. who also plays the leading role.
is excellenr. Mr.. Preston is at his best in
the character of John Storm. Naturally a
heavy actor, with a serious bearing and a
Dig voice. he fills the role of the fanatical
price circuits could fill 1t. Bernice Howard
Is seen to advantage in Viola Aliens old
part OF Glory Quayle. Respondent in a red
wig. she looks the part of the little heroine
from the Isle OF Man. anG acts it with her
accustomed earnestness. The emotional
scenes between Miss Howard and Mr.. Pres
ton are all well rendered.
1t is necessary for several of the Holden
players 10 take two or more parts In pro-
ducing the play, and the wonder of 1t is that
the Woodworking little band of Thepians
manage TO provide such an acceptable per-
formance. Jack Ward Kett first appears as
Lord Storm and afterward as the London
musie-hal manager, acting both characters
satisfactorily. John +. Bailey doubles
the roles of Parson Quayle and the Faro
King '-talk about extremesi-and Maude
Holden contributes her share of enterpris-
ing effort by playing three different femi-
nine roles. George ID. Mackey. who gives
promise of graduating some day into the
higher class theaters, makes a good Lord
Robert IRE, although his old habit of pitch
ing his performance in too loud key again
asserts itself This young mans work has
been criticised in these columns from time
TO time because of the fact that the writer
believes he has the markings" of a good
actor in him. His stage presence is in his