New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-04-26
CORNELL'S FESTIVAL.
Fourth annual MuSic Celebration
Begins.

Ithaca, n Y. April 25.-The fourth annual music
festival of Cornell University. which IS a part Of
the Ezra Cornell centennial celebration. had its
beginning to-day. Though not so overwhelmed
with mischances the other functions of the
spendidy projected festivity, tho festiva! scheme
has also with its share Of disappointments.
Last year the sacred cantata entitled THE Seven
Last Words of Christ provided admirable 4
sketch for the display Of the art Of Emilio Gogorza
and proved telling feature Of the festival that
Il placed upon the programme for the first
event this year with Mr. Gogorza again the
solo barytone. But news to-day that Mr..
Gogorza III and could not sing local singer,
OF whom may be said presently. took his
place. This was the beginning Of the chapter OF
accidents Next Mr.. Beddoc who was TO have
taken part I'm the concerts OF tomorrow and Satur
day. announced his indispOstion, and negotiations
had to be begun for another tenor for tomorrow ;
Elijah" performance, while Mr. Frank OTnlsby
told TO hold himself in readiness for Saturday s
performance Of Saint-Saenss Samson and Deli
lah." Confusion in the dates compelled the engage
ment OF Mr.. Watkin Mills in place OF J. Humbird
Dufey for tomorrow, and tonight tho director OF
tho festival Hollis +. Damn could hold out only a
hope but not Q promise. that Mr.. Gogorza might
sufficiently recover his health 20 take the part
planned for him in Saturday evenings concert
The misfortunes are inconsequental compared TO
those which have bcfallen the other festive So
IDENTITIES for the concerts comfortably and
amply housed, and the changes are not likely TO
cause larger disapDointments. SO far as the fnan-
ciaI outcome OF the festival IS concerned II has
been assured by the sale Of tickets and to-
nights audience could not have been more numer-
Gus had the weather been perfect instead OF bois-
ferrous and dismal in the extreme.
The programme Of to-night's concert devoted
in It's first part selections from Waguers dramas,
IN which Mrs. Grace Bonner Williams. soprano;
Frank Ornsby. tenor; Julian Walker. bass. aud the
Boston Festival Orchestra, under Emil Mollenhauer.
took part and the cantata by Dubois, conducted
by Mr. Damn. These set features were augmented
by performance Of the Founders Hymn" which
was in contemplation for to-nOrrow's exercises.
but had 20 submit n change because Of the food
OF water which lies upon Alumni Field and under
the tent, and has turned all plans topsy-turvy.
The hymn IS not In text. Il written on
the death OF Ezra Cornell by Judge Francis "
Finch author OF THE Blue and the Gray Its
musical setting is new, however, and is the work
OF William Sutton Wood a local musician. Il IS
written for mems barytone solo, voices and or
chestra and betrays the prentice hand especially
in its instrumental part. II s simply, unaitectedy
and very conventionally tuneful with the melo-
dies OF two students cropping out at intervals
in the instrumental part, and at times
coloring the vocal. The melodies are those OF the
old song Annie Lyle" which goes 20 Corneus
song of Alma Mater" I believe. and "Lauriger
Horatus." II cannot be said that the music OF tho
hymn made a deep impression was wholly wor-
thy Of so fine occasion; yet. under the crcum-
stances II served Mr.. r. A. Curry. leader OF the
Cornell Glee Club sang the solo.
In tie cantata the solos were sung by Mrs Will
Jams, Mr. Ormsby and Mr.. Eric Dudley the latter
director OF the vocal department OF the local con-
servatory. He Is an Englishman. who has been
largely identified with Ithacas musical affairs dur
ing the last four years. and his singing discloses
excellent knowledge OF English concert methods
which, in music OF this character are eommenda-
BILE. Intelligence and sincerity his but his voice
is sometimes lacking in resonance and vitality. To
a musical visitor from New York however the
important. The chief thing IS the choir. which
compelled unqualified praise for the freshness OF
its vocal quality at last years festival it's superb
precision, and the rhythmcal incisiveness OF its
ure OF a college community. and of splendid
potency. H. +. Is.