Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-05-04
Splendid Array Of Artists
Secured for 1909.
Geraldine Farrar, a Maine
Girl, Heads the List
At Bangor Oct, I, 8 and 81 Port.
land Oct. IL, u and Is.

y
twelve, Director Chapman and the Of
ficers of the Maine Music Festival
start once more on the dial to give
the music lovers of Maine the best
singers which this world or Europe
can produce. Commencing at the first
Festival with the dearly beloved and
world honored Nor.lica, an American,
and best Ct all Maine girl, Director
Chapman comes back ana starts the
second cycle with an American and
another Maine girl, and will present
Geraldine Farrar, the youngest and yet
the greatest fayprite on the Opera
stage today, and with her two great
European prima- dOnnas, Jeanne Jomel-
Ii from Holland, and Frida LanGend-
orff from Germany. In the twelve
years of musical growth and opportun-
ity the members of the chorus as well
as the public, have so increased their
| knowledge and appreciation of the best
in music that the best singers must
be obtained in order to satisfy. Three
greater prima -donnas cannot be founC
in the musical world today than Far
rar, Jomelli and Langendorff, so the
Festival will present this year great
star for each evening concert. The
solo tenor will be Frederick Gunster
a newcomer to Maine, but a favoritc
in New York and the possessor of
beautiful voice. Reinald Werrenrath
| the popular baritone who created such
a favorable impression in Portland last
winter will be the baritone soloist. Mr..
| Chapnian's New York ochestra will be
maze again feature of the festival,
| as it has been for the past two years
an important factor in the musical
success. The works to be produced
require some specially trained voices
for the seml-chOruS effects, and solo,
lists will be selected from various
choruses all over the State to sing
these difficult concerted parts. Their
names will be announced later. AS we
review the work of the last cycle and
see the growth in the matter of study
and production of difficult works, we
are impressed with the selections for
this years Festival which include an
act from Parsifal; the greatest Of all
Wagner's writings; and the climaxes
from four of Cigars greatest works:
X ing Olaf; Banner Of St. George; Light
of the World; and Dream of Gerontius;
Dvorak. Surely the Maine Festival is
keeping apace with the best Festivals
in the world; in its selection OF works
for study. The famous Song of Prom
Use" by John X. Paine, of Maine birth
and fame will be sung; also the Hymn
of Praise by Mendelssohn; and other
choral numbers which are most beau
tful and interesting, A sketch of Ger
aldine 'Farrar's life has already been
printed, and all know her fame and
beauty of person and voice. The. re-
engagement of Madame Jomelli will
be welcome news to all who heard her
last season and remember her glorious
voice and charming personality. She
is the star at all Festivals this sea-
son, and the most popular concert sing
er of the day. Madame Langedorff the
meZZo-sopranO of the Metropolitan
Opera House, is beyond question one
of the greatest singers of the world.
She ranks with Schumann-H eink. and
possess voice of most extraordinary
range and great strength and beauty.
She IS making the greatest hits pos
sipie in her concert tour of the United
States, and receives an ovation every
time she appears. Mr.. Chapman feels
sure that the people of Maine will find
her second Schumann- Heink; as she
was when he first brought her to
Maine. The chorus is always the back
bone of the Festival, and this year
finds more singers enrolled than for the
past two years. and more enthusiasm
in the preparatory study. Most of the
music TIC be rendered is sung for the
first time in Maine. and as it is diff
ficult it has required much hard work
to prepare. The selections by both the
chorus and orchestra as selected by
Director Chapman, will be made spec
ial features in the Festival, as they
are CT more than ordinary Importance.
With three such magnificent stars;
such a fine ensemble of soloists; with
such a grand orchestra: composed of
solo players; which this marvellous
chorus, the Festival of 1909 will take
first place as it starts the new cycle
this October
owing to the tremendous attraction
the subscription lists for course tickets
will open at Festival headquarters af-
ter May first. Applications will be
filed in order as received, and after
the auction sale for choice, which will
take place as usual early in September
orders will be filled in regular order
as received This will be welcome
news for many who leave town for
the summer. for they will be sure of
good seats for the Festival. BY MAX
ing application for the same this
spring.