Omaha daily bee., 1908-09-27

Ny voice has done It's duty, but l an still
working for the project. heart and soul"
This is merely one example OF the devo-
ton of men who are not professional mu-
slcians in any sense whatever. who are en-
tirely outside the active world OF music,
men who are known widely in lives pro-
fesslonal and commercial, but not musical.
and yet they love these festivals and give
to them more time than any Omaha man
gives to golf. 1 speak advisedly, for / know
several Omaha men who give much time
to chasing the elusive ball. I have in mind
another gentleman who placed himself most
kindly at my disposal. simply because he
found that l was Intensely interested in
the cause. He has given years to the work
OF these festivals; he is the proud possessor
OF dedicated works by Sir Edward Elgar
(of whom l shall say more later on). and
he was the mayor of the city on the oc-
casion of the last Worcester festival. From
him l learned many things about the life
and work Of Sir Edward Elgar, and he
told me that when he and his friend, Elgar,
were mere children. Sir Edward used to
play for him on the organ, excerpts from
the Wagner scores, commenting at the
same time that some day the world will
recognize Richard Wagner as the greatest
musician" This is interesting, because DR.,
Elgar shows in his own works the great
influence which Richard Wagner welded
over him. He is a true working disciple
of the master of Bayreuth.
Spirit of the Occasion.
Worcester is a tasteful hostess. and to
Worcester today is given over to the fes-
tival; the streets are full OF people; the
| oifv &c daorratad throY.bona xygsh Ffa1s
and banners, Royal Standards. Union Jacks,
fluttering and waving in gorgeous welcome.
Street vendors are selling copies OF the
great works to be performed. Street cars
or "trams' are covered with signs an
nouncing changes OF schedule, owing to
the festival bill boards are covered with
announcements OF all the events Of each
day. headed with tse royal arms and in
sigma Of especial patronage by their
most gracious majesties. the king and
queen" Hotels are crowded with people
from every part OF the civilized globe
every paper of any consequence in England
has its special representative here; the
London dailes have here their own regular
musical critics; even the Creates find time
to come to Worcester for this wonderful
event. Il have had the opportunity OF
meeting some of them and they have been
very kind to the representative of The
Omaha Bee. SO far away The creates
modern writers OF England nave taken uI
their abode here for the time, and 1 have
seen Sir Charles Stanford, Sir Hubert
Parry, Sir Edward Elgsr and other famous
musical stars in the English armament
illuminate the meaning of their own scores
through the light of the baton cleaning
in their own hands. Men in perfectly
tailored clothes OF the latest fashion anC
women gowned in the artistic expression OF
the last word In dressmaker's vocabulary
are seen grasping to their hearts the scor,
Of the work Just to be produced. Auto
mobiles. whose door panels show a corone
or a crest, are driven past you. inside OF
which you can see elegantly attired per
sonages who hold the musical score OF The
Elijah" The Kingdom OF the "Violir
Concerto OF Beethoven. The festival 4
on, and in earnest. Its spirit is everywhere
Then VIZ come to the grand old cathedral
1 event To which all these people. and al
the years in unbroken connection are. anC
have been trending.
Part Played by Cathedral.
Met by The most polished and courteous
Of stewards at the door We show oui
tickets and enter, We find, on looking al
our list OF stewards. the names OF many
artstOcratio and titled people. who fine
pleasure in giving their beat attention 4