The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-05-14
MUSIC FESTIVAL
 HAS FINE OPENING Innes' Band and Local Singers
 Are Heard GREAT PROGRAMMES TODAY Americana Will Be Spectacular At traction Tonieht-PopuIar Music
 Is Feature of the
 Festival.
GREAT PROGRAMMES TODAY

The music festival, under the direc- tion of F. N. Innes. opened brilliantly at the Jefferson theatre last night. The boxes were elaborately and tastefully decorated. On one side the Union flag was conspicuous, while on the opposite side the Confederate colors were dis played.
 The programme was festival-like in scope and refinement without being heavy or severe. As rule festival music is over the heads of thu majority of people who make up the audience. and this is especially the case on the opening night. But Mr. Innes popu- larizes festivals by presenting variety and wealth of tone color; and judging by the applause last night he made an exceptionally fine impression.
 Innes band of 50 pieces was the central attraction; but there were two high -class vocal artists-Miss Elaire de Sellem, contralto. and Miss Vir- vinia Listemann, soptrano, and a large and well balanced chorus trained by Philip Memoli.
 Liszts beautiful symphonic poem Les Preludes--often played but always heard with delight, wass the first mum y Portals" from Gounod's Oratorio, The Redemption" sung by the chorus with band accompaniment and directed by Memoli. It was rendered with spirit and expression. In attack and intona- tion the chorus maintained itself well and it's work was really excellent throughout
 The distinctly popular number on the programme was .tThe Merry Widow" Ca f.nl PA ..1, written by Lehar and then as it might have been written in turn by Haydn, Mozart, Verdi, ''ragtime,' and finally oy Richard Wagner. Mendelssohn was in the list as printed. but for some cause MT. Innes skipped that part of the joke. This bit of humor made a great hit and the i. treatment of the Merry Widow" waltz after the style of Verdi was espe- cially enjoyed.
 Signor Zara, the famous Italian bari tone, who arrived in the United States from Rome only a few weeks ago. was to have sung the prologue from Leon- cayallos 'Pagliacci,' but was indsposed, and Miss Elaine de Sellem, the festival contralto, filled his place. She sang 70, Don Fatale," from Verdi's ''Don Carlos." and received quite an ovation. For an encore she sang "The Rosary" Miss de Sellem's voice is velvety and sympa- thetic, and her style is musicianly. Stanford's Irish Rhapsody, No. 1 was the next work. It was heard for the first time in Birmingham and was listened to with keen interest by musicians and with rapt pleasure by music lovers in general. It is almost symphonic in breadth and dignity and is built, of course, upon Irish foll, songs and it's rhythm is character istically Irish.
 Miss Virginia Listermann, the charming festival soprano, sang Una Voce poco Fa," by Rossini, sweetly and artstcally and was recalled several times She Is sure to be favorite throughout the fest- val.
 The concert ended with the Tannhauser Bacchanale and march, including Hail, Bright Abode for chorus It was a fit ting close to delightful entertainment
 The audience was not as large as it might have been, but it was unusually demostrative. MT Innes was greeted with applause whenever he appeared, and after he had finished the programme hand clapping continued for several minutes
 There will be matinee this afternoon at o'clock and the programme will be one of the finest of the festival. It in- cludes vocal solos, Lszts Hungarian Rhapsody No. D. Mendelssohn's Spring Song" the Bridal Chorus from ''Lohen- grin the 'Blue Danube waltz. Tschai- kowsl<y's international Sute.' the qun tet from Wagner's "Meistersinger." an overture by Rublnstein and other gems
 Tonight a grand spectacular piece, Americana" with large chorus, military company, marching band, ehildrens cho- rus and other special attractions, will be produced. Wherever it has been given the house has been packed and thousands have been turned away.
 There will be a matinee Friday, and the festival closes Friday night with a splen- did operatic programme