Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-05-14
ARTISTIC SUCCESS
First Concert in May Festival
 Series Was Largely Attended.

The most artistic concert that has
 yet been rendered in the Buckingham
 was heard last evening. the opening
 night of the May festival, and the
 audience was by far the most select
 and fashionable that has ever as
 sembled in this city. It was even
 more than brilliant opening.
 Though Waterburians far outnunber-
 cd the visitors yet goodly number
 of guests was present from other cities of the state where the name of
 Waterbury as music center has
 reached. They were we'll repaid for
 spending the night in town as the
 Damrosch orchestra rendered a pro-
 gram that music lovers do not often
 have the good fortune to hear.
 Since Music hall was formally
 opened by Victor Herbert and his or
 chestra, group of music lovers in
 Waterbury, have expended time and
 not little money in an effort to have
 the people of this city appreciate con-
 certs of merit. It is gratifying to
 state that not only this little group
 enlisted many others as co-workers,
 but has strived with such earnestness
 that, now, with the aid of its new
 members it Is such powerful organ
 ization. it is able to offer to the people of Waterbury festival consisting of three concerts any of which should be considered one of the treats Of the season.
 Though many were present ycs- terday afternoon at the first and only rehearsal. as it was decided last evening to. omit the rehearsal, which was to have been held this morning. the public did not begin to imagine the briiliancy of the festival until last evening. The music chamber which is fast making a name for itself, seemed to have surmised the nature of the event and even on the opening day did not seem as at tractive as last night. As for the cen cert. Those who have a liking for music simply were enthralled with the program rendered by the orches- tral forces of Damrosch and Miss Maud Powell. that violinist who last night seemed to have such control of her instrument. that it would be in- possible for her 10 become more pro flclent in sending the bow over the strings. or to learn another particle about finger play. This artist, who at the age of twelve had mastered concertos and virtuosos that older musicians had worked on for years without being able 10 accomplish l what Miss Powell was doing. while ! yet in her childhood. last evening nad l the audience captivated. And without ] detracting from the orchestra that has a leader whose name means fame, l there are many who would have been | elated to have listened 10 the strains I of Miss PowclFs violin during the en- l tire evening. But the Walter Dam- !. rosch orchestra Is all that it Is reput- l cd to be. and one who has not heard 1 il can realize what artists it numbers. 1 when such men as Leo Schultz, who i has often delighted Waterbury audi l ences. Is in the ranks. IL played tho l program with a finish that l could not fail tO pass the most critical \ of critics. It started the festival with | NNA~EAhl HlNA q q difficult composition was a most ap- propriate selection anod placed those present In the mood to relish what was to follow.
 The Prelude to Lnhengrin- the first famous number of tIlt~Crcat com poser though brief has often proved block to orcitestras which ranuos craS0 inc art of Inc r--a-k But the musicians last evening Ied hy | man who seemed to have well con- reived the thought of tho composer played the nuniPr with an ease vet with skill almost bordering on per lection TlIe pas<aees had the poetic ing to them and the soft chords Of he viollns. rising and rising uatEI finally joined by the trgmpets and the orchestra bursts forth