The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-06-13
FESTIVAL IS
 BIG SUCCESS Great Audience Highly
 Appreciative. ANNUAL CONCERTS ASSURED Local Orchestra Makes Great Showing at Recital. Montgomery Talent is Received With Great Favor by Crowds That Throng the Theatre for
 First Concerts.

That the people of Montgomery are music lovers and appreciate the rem x ditions, of artists, was evidenced last night at the Montgomery theatre at the opening concert of the first annual Musical Festival. The theatre was crowded to the doors with repres- entative audience that was thorougnly appreciative, and each number ot the program was heartily applauded and encores were frequent.
 The enthusiasm manifested by such an accomplished contingent Of artists the festival scored last night, prac- tically assures annual musical festivals for Montgomery.
 dertaking of those sixty progressive citizens and musicians in bringing to Montgomery such recognized artists as participated in last nights concert and those that will be heard during the series of concerts of the festi- val, and it should be very gratifying. not only to them. but 10 every s loeal 1 tured city appreciate their efforts and are giving their hearty support to the enterprise.
 been held in Atlanta, Spartanourg. Nashville. and other southern cities. but the opening concert CT Montgom- ery's festival has surpassed them all The experiment stage has been passed and music, the art beautiful, has been enthroned in its proper exalted position.
 The artists featured in last nights concert, were Madam Shotwell-Piper, soprano, and Madam Birdice Bye. pi- anist. They were assisted by the Mont- eomery Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Robert Eilenberg. ou
 The program opened with an orcnes- tra overture from Martha by the symphony Orchestra This orchestra is composed of local & musicians sl,a; r. put bI, and such beautiful melody and har- mony as produced last night would do credit to professional orchestras. Ihey were very responsive to the conduc- tors baton and the tempo was perfect
 Madame Birdice Bye, pianist. foi- lowed rendering Weber's Invitation to the Dance" and as an encore, played a selected waltz from Gatschowsky; As a second number, she rendered Chopin's "scherzio, ,tS C Sharp 4Ipenenanns MinOrs applause Madam Blyes technique was faultless and she played with wonder full expression. She is an accomplished artist and won dtstinctice nit last
 Madom shotwell-Pipers selection, "Jewel Song" from Faust. one or well received. She was given an en- core and responded with Drink to Me Only With Thine Eyes Madam shotwell-Piper has very V, sweet %1ss Sb S11 range and she reaches the highest notes with perfect ease. Toe.
 Other numDerS were reHueleo Ao9e night by the. orchestra, and by Madame Blye and Madam Shotwell- Piper.
 While the opening concert of the Mu- sicaI Festival was given yesterday af- ternoon, the formal opening did not take place until last night However, n very pleasing program was rendered yesterday afternoon and was heard by h large and very appreciative audience.
 The participants were Misses Elean- or Carr, Georgia Stirling and Fannie Marks violinists; Miss Louise Carver and Mrs. Emma Lavretta, sopranos, and Miss Dora Sternfeld and Messrs. Kurt Mueller and Paul Donehoo, pian- 1sts.
 A duet. an arrangement for two pianos, Andante and Variations, by Eil- enberg. as played by Kurt Mueller and Paul Donehoo, was superb rendition and the hearty applause evidenced the audiences appreciation of their work.
 Miss Dora Sternfeldts two selections were also well received and she was compelled to respond to encores after both renditions. Miss Sternfeld has long been ranked as an artist of rare ability, and she thoroughly demon- strated this yesterday afternoon.
 Two concerts will be given today, the first at f o'clock this afternoon, and the second at S:3O o'clock tonight.