News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1914-05-20
THE MUSICAL FESTIVAL

ing at the town hall, and proved a most
auspicious opening for the series. a large
audience was present, and when at eight
o'clock thecurtain slow y rose to disclose
the stage with the chorus Of seventy seat
ed thereon, and the conductor moved to
her place, generous round Of applause
shook the house, paying tribute to the
labor and energy which has made the
occasion possible.
The program for last evening was di-
vided into two parts, the fist part being
the rendition of the entire cantata, "The
Village Blacksmith" Longfell )w's famll
lar poem set to music by Charles Noyes,
given by the full chorus with orchestra
This selection is a splendid example of
the composers art, with striking effects
in contrasting tones anG some very
beautiful harmonies The solo for bass
voices "Week in, Week OUT" with anvil
accompaniment, the quartet tor female
voices Like a Sexton Ringing the Village
Bell" and the mixed quartet with So
prano obligato were particularly effec
tive, The obligato was rendered by Mrs.
Pearl Morse Shafer, the soloist OF the
evening, her sweet tones rising clearly
above the voices of the chorus.
The Second part of the program open
cd with selection by Young's Orches.
ira, rendered in their usual finished man
ner, and this number was tOllO wed by
the Miserers Scene from II Trovatore
by Mrs Shater This selection is always
a tavorite, and lent itself most advan-
tageously to the exhibition of Mrs Sha-
fer's full and resonant voice. She has
been heard here several times before, but
never more successfully than on this oc.
casion. In all her numbers she showed a
purity Of tone, a clearness of enunciatiOn,
a volume and breadth OF power, and
sympathy of interpretation which made
her a source of great pleasure to her
hearers.
n. K. Young supplied the third number
Of the program, interpreting Musins
Mazurka de Concert in a mastery man
ner. Mr. Young's violin solos were ia
vorite numbers in last years concerts,
and his popularity seems undiminished.
His selection was followed by the GYPSY
Chorus from BaIfe's Bohemian Girl, by
the entire chorus with Mrs. Shafer as
soloist.
The next number, double selection
"The Top" and "In the Mill" both by
Gilet, was most charmingly executed by
a trio composed OF Mr.. Young, violin,
Mrs. Young, cello and Miss Warden,
piano. This was followed oy a piano f.
solo by Mrs. Greta Norton Morse, a
young pianist who was on this occasion .
heard in Morrisvile Tor the first time
She chose for her solo Brahms Hunga-
-ian Concert Polka, and proved herself
mistress Of both technique and tone by
ler performance of tins beautiful but
litlicut composition.
The program closed with the Soldiers
Chorus from Faust by the entire chorus
With orchestra This spirited chorus has
)een favorite with audiences ever since
he production of the opera tor the first
ime, in 1859, and with its crashing
hords and stirring rhythm formed
tting conclusion to the evenings enter
ainment. 1t is noted with pleasure tha.
his same chorus closes Wednesday even {
lg 5 progam.
y good attendance was present at the {
rtist's Concert this afternoon at 2:3O. J
he entire program was furnished by out
flown talent, and meriged its enthusi- l
site reception. G
The holders OF the season tickets are l
,ol,ing eagerly forward to the two re- y
laining concerts.
The Mothers Club will meet with Mrs 4
. T. Phillips Thursday afternoon, n
Drs I A and L1Oyd {. Robinson are %