Los Angeles herald., 1905-05-19

| lnTee InOuSdHu OF luelI, ellOuBh W
fill every seat in Temple auditorium,
from the first row on the lower floor
to the last seat I'm the balcony, Joined
in cheering Innes and his band last
evening" and thirteen hundred more,
who wanted to cheer, were turned away
because there was no room for them.
1t was the peoples night, and the
memory of it will live longer in the
minds and hearts of the people of Los
Angeles than the recollection of any
other Of the May festival series. They
were all there to listen to the first pro-
duction of Americana" an allegory
of the Civil War song, by Frederick
Neil Innes.
To say they were all there does not
exaggerate it bit. The men of the north
sat next to those of the south, and
their sons of Spanish war fame were
there to help bridge the breach made
so many years ago. Everything that
should have been there was there-the
trumpets' blast, the waving flags, the
booming Of cannon, the rattle of mus
kerry, the southern airs and those of
the north, and some that are just Amer
lean; the cheering crowd, the fife and
drum-and, best of all, the soldiers.
Veterans Were There
The soldier with natty uniform and
very big lump in his throat sat side
by side with the veteran whose hair has
turned gray in the service. The veter-
an did not try to suppress the tear for
the day that is gone as did the boy
with the lump in his throat, who knows
nothing about it but wishes he did.
They looked into each others eyes and
understood. The old woman was there
she with the white hair and the sweet
smile that shows how much she has
suffered. She buried boys in the
Spanlsh-American war, and though
she does not regret it, a stray tear
would fall when the plaintive voice of
the tenor was raised in the old song,
Just Before the Battle, Mother"
Who wouldn't go any distance to
hear the songs of America, to be car
ried back to those days the old remem-
ber as If it were yesterday and the
young know only in story form? Who
wouldn't make an effort, and best of
ALL when Innes and his band were
there?
That Innes is a wonderful director
was proved beyond a doubt, and that
his task was no easy one was also evil
dent. He had an immense audience to
manage and an immense chorus to
handle. and he succeeded in remark
able degree.
Before the opening of Americana"
prelude was given by the band.
There was an intermission while the
soldiers marched to the front and took
their places ready for the signal. A
fanfare of trumpets sounded and
Americana" had begun. The band
struck up the Star Spangled Ban
ner."
Vast Audience Rises
Mr.. Innes gave the signal for the
chorus of 600 to rise, and before the first
bar had been played every member of
the audience was standing and voices
all over the auditorium took up the
refrain.
The allegory of Americana" opens
with an announcement of the bat
tie hymn of the Republic and this is
followed by a pastoral scene, descrip-
tive of the agricultural pursuits of the
south. The anvil chorus, typical
workshop scene, introducing the bri-
gade of musical blacksmiths and cleo
trio anvils, is suggestive of the indus
tries Of the north. A note of discord
is heard, and the shot upon Fort Sum-
ter brings out the national Star Span
gled Banner" 1.-The Assembly is
heard. The mastering of troops fol-
lows. "The Soldiers Farewell ana
departure for the scene of war is
shown, the universal supplication for
victory being typified by the Prayer
for Victory The rival armies, en-
camped within hearing distance, listen
to each others campfire songs, "The
suwannee River" is answered by the
northern Columbia, the Gem of the
Ocean," This in turn calls forth
the southern Dixie" "The Vacant
Chair" follows, and "The Mocking
Bird" is heard from passing band.
"The Two Grenadiers" precedes the
plaintive Just Before the Battle,
Mother" "Reveille" is heard Break
fast Calf follows. The boom of dis
tant cannon, followed by the rattle of
musketry and the discordant sounds of
conflicting armies, announce the shock
of battle. 1.-THE Bonnie Blue Flag is
heard and this is Immediately an
swered by 1.-THE Battle Cry Of Free
dom" The noise of battle gives way
to the dying drummer boys Sweet
Spirit, Hear My Prayer" and "The Hal
lelujah Chorus" proclaims Gods bene-
dictIon on a reunited nation.
In the military pageant were Seventh
regiment, N. G. c., "a" Captain An
drew J. Copp commanding. First lieu
tenant, Orton c. Holden; second lieu
tenant, Bert T. Demmitt. Gen. Robt.
Wankowslxi, Major S. NJ Saltmarsh