The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-03-20
VICTOR HERBERT
 MAY COME EFOR.
 SPRING FESTIVAL Famous Opera Composer Has Open Dates Through
 out Month of May MAY HOLD EVENT AT TIME OF ROADS MEET Damrosch Not Available Except the Second Week in May, But May
 Give Concerts on His Own

Prospects for having big music fes- tival in Birmingham in May are said to be decidedly favorable
 J. H. Holcombe, president of the Mu- sic Festival association, announced last night that he would call a meeting of the executive committee for Tuesday at 12 o'clock in the directors room of the Business Mems league in the Chamber of Commerce.
 At the meeting of the committee held last Thursday MT. Holcombe was re- quested to ascertain whether certain vocal celebrities could be engaged fol festival in May and to get bids from certain orchestras. He began corre- spondence by wire without delay and of the famous singers available in May, either the second week or the fourth week. Sohumann-H Heink and Gadski are said to be the most likely to be secured.
 It Is understood that majority of the festival committee has expressed a preference for the Damrosch orchestra over any other but MT. Holcombe says that at tomorrow's meeting question regarding dates will be considered and that upon the decision of the time for holding the festival-if a festival is to be undertaken-would depend further negotiations with Damrosch.
 The National Good Roads convention will be held here May 23 to 26, inclu- sive, and as it will be attended by a desirable to hold a music festival at ladies, it has been thought especially desirable to hold a musical festival at the same time. Members of the com mittees arranging for the convention have pointed out to the music res7 tival management that the two affairs would not only not conflict but that no more popular entertainment could he offered the ladies accompanying good roads delegates than grand festival concerts, afternoon and night. In view of the situation, therefore, MT. Hol- combe asked MT. Damrosch by wire if he would be available on the week of May 23, and the reply was in the negative
 Victor Herbert, who has large fes- tival orchestra this season, was com municated with and he replied, through his agent. that he was open Tor an en- ragement for May 23 to 26 or almoss any other time in May Herbert oHers to bring a galaxy of operatic soloists' and to make up the princlpal par' of one programme with selectiohs iron' his new and most popular opera' 'Natoma."
 It is understood that in the event Her bert ia engaged the Birmingham Oratorio society, Fred L. Grambs director. will pc pc invited to sing in addition to numbers from ..Elijah," one or two chorus nu"- bers from ''Natoma.'
 Should the festival committee decioe i'i favor of Good Roads convention week. then it is thought likely that Damrosch will come for one or two concerts on his own account the second week in May.
 MT. Holcombe communicated with the manager of the Cincinnati orchestra ana the manager of the Thomas orchestra or Chicago and asked for prices, etc. The latter replied that his organization woulo not come south this spring and would therefore not be open for proposition. The Cincinnati orchestra named price but suitable dates, 1t Is said, could not arranged.