Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-03-02
ChRUSO SIGNED TO-
. SING At FESTIVAL
VICTOR l.. SMITH TELEGRAPHS
. THAT HE SIGNED A CONTRACT
WITH THE WORLDS GREAT
EST TENOR FOR FESTIVAL.

final definite and authoritative con-
tract whereby Enrieo Caruso, the WoTld's
greatest tenor, and Olive Fremstad, the
peerless marvel. of sopranos, will both,
sing at the Great Southern Music festi-
val to be held in Atlanta, was signed in
New York city Saturday morning by CAT
ii Casazzo, manager of the Metropolitan
opera house, and Victor Lamar Smith. OF
this city. as representative Of the fes-
tiyal committee,
i This happy contamination of the fes-
tival plans in general and particularly or
the effort to secure Caruso for Atlanta
is due primarily to the energetic and
discriminating work of Victor Smith,
whose distinction as a member of the To-
cal bar, and interest in the art of music
are widely known. Early in the week
some confusion arose as to just who held
the authentic franchise for Caruso's
appearances. Though thorough assur-
anees had been given that the famous
Italian would come to Atlanta, 1T was
thought wise by the committee to take
no chances whatever and to leave no
stone unturned until authoritative sigma
lures had been put to a legal contract
The situation in New York then seemed
somewhat perplexing.
Mr.. Smith Clinches Contract.
Therefore, the committee forthwith DEL
eEaIGu MI. Oullln 10 ldhC tuC III ~ NtchA
for New York and to remain until he had
matters shaped unchangeably for Caru-
SOS appearance at the festival How
we'll he has succeeded is shown by tele-
gram received from him Saturday at noon
by James r. Gray, of the festival COM
mittee.
This telegram announces that not only
has Caruso been secured for two evenings,
but also that Olive Fremstad. whose re-
nown is scarcely second to that Of Ca
russo himself, has also been secured. Mr.
smith wires that in the course of Satur-
day afternoon. contracts win be con-
cIuded for the other artists that are to
appear on the festival program and for
the great orchestra Thus the details of
the biggest undertaking in art the south
has ever known have been In every
sense satisfactorily adjusted.
Not even the most ambitious and OPP
timistic of those who have been directing
+ the initial stages Of the festival had
hoped to secure in addition to Caruso
such an artist as Madame Olive Frem-
stad Though the other vocalists who
had been in anticipation were all cele-
brated on both sides Of the Atlantic, the
name of Fremstad is pre-eminent. The
effect of her coming will be double the
sensation of Caruso's appearances.
Date of Festival Advanced
/ Under the terms of the contract obtain
ed by Mr.. Smith, the date of the festival
will be advanced from April 20 to May 4.
1t will be conducted from May through
the evening of the 9Th.
Gatti Casazzo, the general manager OF
the Metropolitan opera house, through
whom the definite contract for these ar
lists has been closed, is the renowned
impressario who succeeded Conreid. He
has been instrumental in bringing to this
continent many of the greatest singers
and musicians of Europe. He now holds
the exclusive power of fixing engage
ments for Enrico ,Caruso and Madame
Fremstad It was to him that Mr.. Smith
went on arriving in New York. The man
ager met the Albanian cordially, and
was so impressed by the big proportions
upon which the festival had been pitched
and its ample financial backing that ne
closed the contract.
Caruso himself was consulted. Though
he has sung beyond the limits of New
York city only five times since coming
to America and though the biggest cities
on this continent have failed in securing
hin, The consented to come to Atlanta on
the ground that he had fancy to sing
in the south and considered Atlanta the
south's center
During the present week the guarantee
fund of $4,000 for the festival has boen
practically assured. From now on.
therefore the fortunes of the great event
will proceed without interruption, grow
ing more massive and appealing every
day until May 4 arrives.