A Worthy Successor

For the May Festival which is to be held at TJniyersity Hall 011 12, 13 and 14, the following artists will be present: Sopranos- Gaiiski, Mis. Walker. Contraltos- Miss Steia, Miss Springer. Tenor- Mr. Rleger. liaritoiies- Mr. Bispham, Mr. Campanari. Baas- Mr. Howland. The success achieved by forme r festivals made it very difticult indeed to arrange a festival which shoukl be a worthy suecessor to such a series. As a result of negotiations which have been in pgress since the last May Festival, the following program is offered, as including everything in the way of artists and works which can be expected in a festival of first class importance. Although the two principal works chosen, the " Manzoni Requiem " of Verdi and the "FlyingDutchman" of Richard Wagner, do not present such marked differences in conception as exist betweeu the Germán school of oratorio and the great dramatic works, still it will be seen that the policy inaugurated of presenting works of contrasting schools has been adhered to. The Verdi Requiem, although ostensibly a religious work, treats the subject in a somewhat dramatic manner, and coutains the esential characteristicsof the Italiau school of writing, fiuent raelody, symmetrical form, interesting harmony, and a most remarkable use of purely vocal effects. The success of the performance of the first act of "Loheugrin" two years ago, has led to the belief that the performance in concert form of Wagner's "Flying Dutchmau " would prove acceptable, especially to those who have had no opportuuity of seeing thia representative work of the Germán Dramatic School on the stage. It is better adapted for such a purpose than any other work of the great master. Having the performance of the "Flying Dutchmau" in view, the engagement of great Wagueriau singers became a necessity. The engagement of Gadski, the greatest Wagneriau soprano - in the estimation of many reliable crities the greatest Wagnerian on the stage, now that Klafsky is gone - eusures a remarkable performance of the part of Senta, one of her greatest roles. David Bispham, who, by the wáy, is an American, is considered one of the greatest living baritones. His success in England and on the continent in the reat Wagnerian roles is well known to musicians; while his no less remarkable achievements last seasou as a member of the Metropolitan Opera Co. in Xevv York, has firmly established his reputatiou on this side of the Atlantic. The part of the " Flying Dutchmau " is oue of the most intensely dramatic parts ever conceived and yet, because Wagner was at the time of the composition of the " Flying DuU'hman" in what is called his iirst period, the entire composition is replete with the broadest and most charming melody. Both of these artists have pro ved tliemselves equally great on the concert platform and in oratorio, a statement which is made uierely as a proof of their versa tili tv and artistic resources. "Gadski, as Elizabeth, ehone refulgently as a star in the east; next to lier in efficiency coming Bispham, in the part of Wolfram. .. .Gadski's Elizabeth was very fine. To piek flaws in her impeisonation would be to show ourselves cavilers. She is an admirable artist and shines n wliatever part she assumes." - Channing Ellery in The Concert Goer, Philadelphia. "Mrs. Johanna Gadskt,a woman who disdalns self-advertisement and needs no paesionate press agent or indefatigable manager to hoost iier claims au a singei', alione by the display of genuine art and not by the exhibition of diamonds or raiinent. . . .If the audience cares for dramatic singing, was there anything last year tbat surassed or equalled the duet of Jlrs. Gadski and Mr. Rispham Thursday night?" (The duet iu second act of "Flying Dutchman.") - Philip Hale on Worcester Festival, in Musical Record. The New York Sun says, criticising a recent performance of Gounod's Redemption : "Of the individual singers, Mr. Bispham and Mme. Gadski were easily ürst. Gounod set few of the wonls of Jesus, and the worth of the setting is an open question - when a lesser artist than Mr. Bispham attempts it. In itself it is gently moving. He ennoblecí it and invested it with poignant appeal. Mme. Gadski was in like case. The purity of her voice, the simplicity of her style, the honesty of her sentiment iitted her for the task in hand, and in a coinparatively new field showed her steady advance in lier art. There is no comparison between the Gadski of three years ago and the Gadski of today. Hard, constant and intelligent work has done wonders for her, and with her youth in her favor site lias the widest promise of any woman now singing in this country. Strange to say, for a foreign singer, she has apparently mastered our tongue. Saturday night her enunciatiou was pure and distinct, with scarcely a trace of accent." Mrs. Jennie Patrick Walker, of Boston, is a very broad dramatic singer, wbo is easily the leading soprano in New England. Her work is not so well kuown in the west as it deserves, hut those who remember her remarkable performance in the " Redemption" several years ago, can readily understand that she will give a masterly interpretation of the soprano parts in the Requiem. No singer in America has made more rapid strides in her profession duriug the last two years than Gertrude May Stein, and her performance at the last Worcester Festival, to quote the opiuion of Philip Hale, of Boston, an opinión whlch is endorsed by the leading Boston and New York critics, firmly estabtished her position as the leading mezzo soprano in the country. It will be of interest to know that she bas just entered into a four years' engagement as leading dramatic soprano at Mannheim, Germauy. Miss Spencer's work was so very satisfactory at the last Festival that all will hail with delight the announcement that she is to appear again. Mr. Win. H. Rieger, who will be pleasantly reinembered for his intelligent performance of the part of Faust in the "Damnation of Faust," is to be the leading tenor at the Festival. He will sing in both the "Requiem" and tiie "Flying Dutchman," Campanari is so well known that it is absolutely unnecessary to say a word in his praise. His engagement seemed to be a matter of course. Besides the foirce euumerated, Mr. Howland, of Worcester, a most excellent artist, will also take part. There will be, in addition to the artists already named, a pianist, a 'cellist, another tenor, and in all probability another soprano, whose name it is impossible to announce at the present moment. The full Boston Festival Orchestra under the able direction of Mr. Mollenhauer will again take part. The program will include a great number of novelties. At the Symphony concert, the pathetic symphouy of Tschaikowski will be given ; also excerpts from the new opera, "The Koenig's Kinder" by Humperdinck. There is uo doubt, whatever, that the combination of artists for this Festival, taken all in all, is the strongest yet offered, and there can be no doubt that the Festival will be a decided advance over those of foriner years. This will be practically the same combination which was heard at the last Woreester Festival, which, in the opinión of competent critics, was the fiuest festival ever given in that city. The following, taken from the Musical Courier by special correspondence, will enforce this statement: "All in all, this festival was head and shoulders above the preceding festivals that I have heard at Worcester. The programs were of a higher order, and they were better arranged. The ensemble of singers was also better. The whole thing stood on a more artistic plaue." The patrous of the concerts will be interested in the changes which have taken place in üniversity Hall, both in the accommodations for seating aud the arrangements for lighting, and no doubt these improvements will largely conduce to the enjoyment of the Festival. It is needless to add that a festival of this magnitude involves such an euormous expense that it is only by a very large draft upon the sympathetic support of the public that it eau be made possible. Inasmueh as there are still remainirig three excellent concerts in the Choral Union Series, besides the flve concerts of the Festival, it would seem to be the part of wisdom for those intending to parchase tickets to do so at once, especially as the interest in the Festival, on the part of those outside the city, is greater than ever before. The reservation of seats for the Festival will begin on Saturday, January 15, at 9 a. m., at the School of Music. Application by mail for tickets and reserved seats for the Festival should be addressed to Levi U. Wines, treasurer, Choral Union, Ann Arbor.