The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-06-16

Victor Herbert After the prelude by the band the children 300 in number. rose in the theatre and in sweet well trained voices sang the immortal words of the patriotic selection, accornpan- led by the band and led by Mrs. Sachs. The spectacle was an inspiring one. The voices blended admirably in the large auditorium and as fervor and earnestness the children, many of them quite small. sang the National air. the audience was moved to spon- taneous applause.
 Owing to the absence of Miss vir- ginia Listermann. soloist of the band, the sixth number of the program vocal number, was played by the band as an instrumental selection. Miss Listermann arrived in Montgom- cry last night from Selma.
 The Evening Performance.
 Americana" an allegory of the Civil War, was produced at s:30 o'clock last night at the Grand by the Innes Band, assisted by a chorus of more than 300 voices. The music was highly descrip- tive. and realism added by the intro duction of the chorus. and the partici- patton of the local military compa nies rendered the performance a delightful Illusion. The picture presented was an ever changing one. q musical pano- rama interspersed with color. A large crowd witnessed the performance.
 The rising of the curtain presented 6 charming tableau. Upon lofty stands in the rear of the stage sat group of 300 persons, the larger number chill dren. The girls on the right wore scarfs of red, those on the right scarfs of blue, while the boys grouped in the centre were dressed in white. In this manner was created human back ground of the national colors.
 Americana" is a musical delineation of martial scenes. preceded by a rep resentation of peace and simplicity. and ending with the elimination of strife and the establishment of unity and auiity. It is difficult to realize that such pictorially suggestive power lies within the domain of musical represen- tation, but Innes shows that 1t does.
 The allegory opens with an announce ment of the Battle Hymn of the Repub- lic. following which is 8 pastoral scene symbolic of the agricultural South. One can easily imagine that Pan pipes in supreme contentment. Wonderfully suggestive of quietude and simplicity of occupation are the opening strains of the allegory.
 In similar manner, the song of the anviis Is introduced. an air of hustle and industrial activity, typifying the North. the opposing section.
 J A scene of festive joy is next indi- cated by the appearance in operatic selections of the soloists of the band. The natic4 Is at peace and strife, slumb ering. lies yet buried.
 But not for long does this happy condition continue. With shock the sound of the cannons' roar breaks upon the ear. The rumble of the drums tells of the initiation of the bloody struggle, and suggestion of battle is borne with a realism almost incon- ceivable upon the audience. Fort Sum- ter has been fired upon, and in the stir ring strains og 'rhe Star-Spangled Banner" the incident Is heralded.
 The assembly and the muster of the troops about to leave for war brings upon the stage the military companies of the city. Here is actuality in which the music plays a minor part. But in the grand harmonies symbolic of the soldiers farewell. the music once mora assumes q powerful suggestive infiu- ence.