The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1915-03-11
Opening Session of OcaIa's Second
Chautauqua


Chautauqua
The opening of Ocala's second
Chautauqua, an event which mas been
awaited with pleasurable interest by
ocala amusement seekers and those
in the vicinity for some time past,
drew a splendid audience to the Tenn
pie last night at 8:15 O'Clock. wnen
the curtain was rung up on the first
of the entertainment features which
viii form a varied program during
the next ten days.
Mr.. W. T. Gary, president of the
Marion County Chautauqua, in few
well chosen words, after Rev. Bunyan
/ Stephens had offered short prayer,
extended a hearty welcome to all of
those who attended the first Chautau-
qua offering, and made a few neces-
sary explanations as to the program,
etc DIR. Geo. Selden Waldo, manager
of the Chautauqua, spoke next. He
emphasized the Importance of being
punctual at the meetings, as they
would all begin on schedule time, and
in a gentle way asked the ladies not
to obstruct the view of others with
their hats.
The evenings entertainment was a
grand concert by Axel Skovgaard and
associate artists whom DR.. Waldo in
PRODUCED as eoualling if not excelling
nine tenths of the present day must
clans. NJ. Skovgaard is the celebrat-
ed Danish violinist and has played by
special request before several of the
crowned heads of Europe. He brought
with him Nine. Marie Ellerbrook, con-
tralto and Miss Alice McClung, plan
Iist. Their program is said to be one
of the strongest ever arranged for a
Chautauqua engagement in this state
and it was magnifcently rendered.
The opening number was a sonata
in E minor by Sjogren, played by
M. Skovgaard. He used his $4,000
Scandinavian violin with which he al
ways plays and that he is an artist
of exceptional power was proven from
the very first. His second number, a
concerto by Mendelssohn, was even
more beautiful than the first.
Aria from Samson and Delilahp by
Saint Saens, sung in costume by Nine.
Ellerbrook was the third selection.
rFrI;c rr,oIl 1y,norYr,, oo,a4~1l+o 10. oo~,&,~;
buted largely to the musical circles of
the country. She is a young woman
and her fresh voice is full, vigorous
and possesses fine musical quality. To
the full enjoyment of all she appear
ed later on the program, singing "The
Cry of Rachel" (Salter) and Little
Boy Blue" (Joice.) She generously
responded to an encore.
Quite as much an artist as the vio-
llinist was his accompanist, who ably
assisted M. Skovgaard, as we'll as
Nine. Ellerbrook. all through the eve
ming. Miss McClung gave solo
number which was exceedingly beau
tiful and which displayed to advant-
age her capacity as a pianist. The
number was "Tarantella" by List
which is difficult, requiring much skill
to interpret it successfully For ar
encore she gave left-hand solo
Rats "Cacantina," followed Danish
Irish, Scotch. Chinese, Russian and
American folk dances, numbers beau.
tifully rendered by M. Skovgaard. Nc
number in the group seemed to meet
with more favor than the air of the
players native country, except the
American song. For the latter he
pleased Floridians by playing "Was
Down Upon the Suwanee River" A.
an encore he played Dixie, which CAV,
his hearers a thrill of the kind which
is not experienced at hearing an!
} other air.
The number of all the program il
which M. Skovgaard displayed hi
brilliant technique, his power an,
/ command over his instrument wa
Schubert's "Serenade." In his broker
English he told of the poverty of tn
composer and how he wrote it to get
morsel of bread. which was later de
MED him. Kreisley's Caprice Wen
nois" followed and Cyril SCOTS '"Tal
lahassee" was the concluding numbe
of the program. Quoting from tn
program leaf: Tallahassee is entirel.
new to the musical world and is a de
parture from all established tradi
ton. The composer tried to catch tn
native genius of negro melodies"
J The concert was a rare treat t
those present and so was the one thi
afternoon given by the same artists.
The Chautauqua should be of ire
mendous Importance to every inhabi
tant, regardless of class or station il
life. It should claim and receive tn
hearty and enthusiastic support o
all. Every feature on the program i
beneficial, appealing to the lover o
music, lover of peace, to the political
and the lover of drama. If you can
not purchase a ticket for the entir
program, buy one for the attraction
that appeal TO you most.
The program for today and tomor
!, row is as follows:
March 18th
2:45 p. m.-Afternoon session.