Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1914-10-28

Dear Aunf Madee:
Is IL too late TO tell you something Of the
music festival at Bangor which I attended,
in part9 could only be there for a short
time, and chose the concerts which appealed
to me most. These were the orchestral con
cert Of Friday afternoon. and the osatorio Of
Elijah. which was given Friday evening. and
the second and third concerts
The orchestra, its members mostly from the
Boston opera house, has played for several
years, and a very satisfactory orchestra II Is.
The beautiful tones of so many Instruments.
all in perfect harmony, now tender and soft,
now strong and vigorous, are wonderful.
The orchestra. tat the afternoon concert. was
assisted by Helena rardivel. young pianist
with a beautiful touch. AS one reporter said !:
'she leaped straight into popular favor"
Mrs. Otis sang Hailett Gilberte's song ~Iu
the Moonlight, In the Starlight" Mr.. Gil
berte, Maine man, playing her aceompani-
ment. The memorial to Lillian Nordica was
the Liebstod, from wagner's tristan aud
Isolde" beautifully played by the orchestra.
Mr.. Chapman spoke few words Just before
It, He said; ~ have never directed an or
chestra in this number that Nordica was not
present to sing" He ended his remarks By
quoting:
'.oh, for the touch of vanished hand,
And the sound of voice that Is srli."
How can describe the oratorio Of Elijah,
with its grand choruses, its beautiful solos.
quartettes, etc.,-one Of the most beautiful to
me the contralto solo by Jean Cooper. 40,
Rest in the Lord"
did not intend to go 10 the Saturday
morning rehearsal, but by doing some shop
ping very quickly, / managed TO get time for
that, and / was glad, indeed, that 1 did. /
heard parts oflthe concerts of Saturday after
noon and Saturday evening, and was partic-
ularly glad to hear the soloists of the even
ing, Mile. Morgana, who has n most beauti-
full voice [she is very small, and as some one
expressed 1t. "there is nothing OF her bat her
voice''); Mrs. Otis, Chevalier Gi0rdanO, and
Signor Picco. Mile. Morgapa and the last
three named sang the qusrtette from
"Rigoletto". OH it was great
In the large program Of the festival is
printed Mrs. Chapman's story of her expert
epce in the European war zone. she and her
friends were in Bayreuth, attending the per-
formances of the Wagner operas. aon satur-
day, August FIRST" she says, 1--WE listened 20
the magnificent rendition Of 'Parsifal'. Never
did hear anything to compare with IL, and
its music will ring in my ears forever. At the
close of the second act, young fellow with a
glorious baritone voice, who sang the part OF
.Khngsor', left to go to the war. His castle
had fallen, and so had his hopes for a great
musical career, bat his emperor had called
him. and he went before the last act. Many
in the orchestra also left. While we were in
that music hall listening TO that wondrous
| music, Germany had declared war with
Russia"
After many trying experiences, Mrs. Chap
man and her friends at last got to England
and finally home to America. / wish there
we're space to give the whole Of her ''tribute
TO homeland" Here are a few words: "No
more Europe for me; want to sing America
long and loud, and give the little that i pos
sess of money or ability to promoting the
growth of our beloved land, the land OF the
free, the home of the brave, over which may
/, the stars and stripes of our beautiful dag for
ever wave"
fea- my letter is too long; please cut II
down to the proper proportions.