The Symphony Concert

There were over 2,000 people in University Hall last evening. It was a brilliant assemblage, evening dress being the rule rather than the exception. The music was thoroughly enjoyed, judging from the liberal applause. The symphony in B flat was received with more enthusiasm than any of the other numbers, the last movement, the finale being particularly fine. Many, who heard the concert last year, regretted fhat the "Tannhauser" overture was not upon the program. The overture "Leonore" was very fine, the sound of the distant and then near at hand trumpet being especially effective. The two selections from Wagner were, as usual with that composer's music, quite noisy, if we may be pardoned the expression, on account of the predominance of the brass. The solo work in the last number, an arrangement from the final dramas of the Nibelungen, was very pleasing. Mrs. Arthur Nikisch was the soloist of the evening. She was accompanied on the piano by her husband. Her solos were very well received. Her voice is a mezzosoprano of excellent quality, and her manner was pleasing because unaffected. Her first number was the aria from Mignon, "Know'st thou the Land." Her solos with the piano were more popular with the audience, the last one, "Vergebliches Staendchen," being enthusiastically encored. The'orchestra contained 68 musicians, as follows: 13 first violins, 12 second violins, 8 violas, 6 los, 6 basses, 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 3 bassoons, 4 horns, 3 trumpets, 3 trombones, 2 drums, 1 harp, 1 bass horn, and cymbals and triangle. The Boston Symphony orchestra was established about ten years ago by Henry L. Higginson, a public spirited citizen of Boston. The orchestra failed to pay expenses for about seven years, losing about $25,000 each year. It is now at least selfsupporting, if not profitable. Mr. Higginson did not expect to make money on the orchestra, and by sinking $175,000 in it, he has organized the finest orchestra this side of the Atlantic. The capital invested has been used to bring to this rmmtrv the best musicians of the oíd world. Good salaries are paid, so that the finest musicians find it to their interest to remain with the orchestra. There have been three directors. The first was George Henschel, who remained with the orchestra for three years. Wilhelm Gericke, of Vienna, succeeded him and controlled a more cultivated body of musicians for five years. The present conductor is Arthur Nikisch, and the wonderful control he has over the orchestra was seen last evening. It is the hope of the U. of M. and of Ann Arbor peopie, that this concert may become an annüal