The First Concert

The Cboral Union Series will open Thnrsday nest, Nov. 18, with a concert by The Chicago Orohestra under Theodore Thomas. Every effort bas been made to rnake this flrst concert a btilliant affair. It may not be ont of order to aak "why should we uot have a different orohestra?" There is a natural desire on the part of ooncert goers to hear different organizations; bnt it must be reraembered that ooucert orchestras cannot be secured as readily as inany snppose. Negotiations with a prominent Eastern orohestra were in progress all the sumruer, and it was supposed that the organization wonld raake a western trip. The trip was given np at the last moment, causing a great deal of annoyauoe. Theodore Thomas has this year the flnest organizatiou he has had for many seasons, and inasmuch as the orchestra is the only great permanent organization of the kind in the oonntry - with the exception always of the Boston Symphony - no apology seems necessary for offering the patrons of the oourse a oonoert by tbis, one of the ünest oichestras in the world. Inolnded in the program is the ever beautifnl Q ininor Symphony by Mozart, which will be heard for the first time iu Ann Arbor, tho "Flying Dntohman" overture, by Wagner. A suite based on a story from the"Arabian Nights" and several other novelties. As for the May Festival it oan only be said that it will be in every way worthy of its predecessors. It is irnpossible at the present writing to announce details. It will be seen on referring to the former festivals tbat in every instance the expeotations bave been more than realized and the University Musical Sooiety guarantees that the coming festival will present the greatesfc artista available. No one can foim an idea of the amount of labor necessary to auoh au tmdertaking as giving a series of concerts of the magnitude of the Choral UnioD Series (whiob aa Mas Fruch says oannot be duplioated in any town of its size in Germany) for the price. Were it not for the fact that all the work in conneotion with the management is done without any remnneration, the series would be impossible. It is to be hoped that the response in the wa.y of sale of tickets will be snob that estensive advertising thronghout the statT may not be necessary. Reports from outside indioate that larger numbera than laat year from ont of town may be expeoted providing there is room. The number of tickets sold up to Jan. lst, will determine whether effurts can be made to accommodato the large diéntale throughout the state.