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All Lovers Of Music

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Parent Issue
Day
27
Month
October
Year
1897
Copyright
Public Domain
OCR Text

The Choral Union Series has been annoiinced and is as usual f uil of interest. In the musical world, this year is somewhat remarkable, as so many artists of the highest reputation have been prevented from coming to America for one reason or another. Kosenthal has been obliged to cancel all his dates ; Plunket Greene does not come ; several contemplated trips by eastern orchestras have not materialized ; and altogether the musical season will be entirely different from what might have been inferred from the outlook two or three months ago. A glance at the list of attractions offered this year by the Choral Union will show that in no sense has the course suffered by reason of the changes inade necessary by the facts stated above. The problem of arranging a course becomes each year a more difticult one, as the success of each May Festival makes greater effort necessary in order that the standard may be maintained. Inasmuch as the income cannot increase in proportion to the public demand, the financial side of the question becomes more and more perplexing. An example is given in the mid-winter circus. While it is possible to gi've a choral concert without orchestra, it is not adivisable. For a chorus in which so many clnuigesoccuras in the Choral Union, to attempt a great work at the festival without the experience gained by singing with an orchestra earlier in the season, would be to invite disaster. It becomes neccessary for reasons we are not obliged to state, to import an orchestra from Chicago for this concert, doubling the expense thereby. This is given as an ndication of the difficulties of the situatiou. That eventually the problem f securing a larger income without increasing the price of season tickets will be solved by the erection of a hu-rrer auditorium we fully believe ; and in the meautime the University Musical Society propose to do every tliing to extend the influence of the concerts by steadily raising the grade of performances. The first concert, by the Chicago Orchestra, Nov. 10, needs no comment. Theodore Thomas is so well knovvn, his name is so inseparably connected with the history of our highest musical development, that there is neither necessity of dweiling upon his achievements, nor praising his orchestra. The second concert will be of absorbing interest, for in it Mr. and Mrs. Georg Henschel will be heard fcr the first time in Ann Arbor. Mr. Henschel was the first conductor of the Boston Symphony Orohestra, and for the last few years has directed ainost successful series in London. His compositions in tlie larger orchestral forms, as well as in the line of lyrics, are full of virility and nobility, yet not lacking in poetry and grace. As a singer his reputation is world wide. He plays his own accompaniments in the most artistic taanner. Mrs. Henschel, as Lillian Bailey was easilv the most popular and artistic singer in Boston, and as Mrs. Henschel she bas won the cominendation of the English and Continental critics. ïhey give a rich and varied program, among whicb are many of Mr. Henschel's compositions. Mr. Alberto Jonas and the Detroit Philhaimonic Club make an ideal combination. Mr. Jonas is constantly extending his reputation as a concert pianist. He will play with the Boston Symphony orebestra this season, and luis many otber important engagements in the East and West. The Philhaimonic Club bas been constantly improving, and is looked upon as .one of the finest organizations of its kind in the country. The combination of piano and strings makes possible soine excellent ensemble numbers. Mendelssohn's "Klijah" was performed year before last by the Choral Union with great success. ïhis year following out the policy of the Choral (Continned on 8th page.) ALL LOVERS OF MUSIC. - , (Contlnucd ffom lst page.) Union, "St. Paul" will be sung. Mr. Lewia Campion, a dístinguiahed English artist, will take the leading part. Miss Bailey, wh'ose wonderful performance of the soprano parta in the "Messiah" at a few liours notice several years ago is .stil] freah in the memories of our concert goers, will take the soprano solos. The Chicago Festival ürchestra, a most excellent organization, has been engaged, in order that the orchestral support may he adequate. The "St. Paul" will be given Feb. 4. Mr. Gardner S. Lamson, fresh f rom his sojourn abroad will give tlie flfth concert. Mr. Lamson's song recitals have been most enthusiastically endorsed by the best critica of Boston, and bas -always been received with great favor. We are confident that this will be one of the most eiijoyable concerts of the season. Eegarding the Festival there is at present nothing to say, except that it will be in no respect inferior to its predeceasora. For several months- in fact, ever since the last festival- negotiations have been in progress, and plans are being perfected which guarantee artistic success. It is impossible at this time to state anything definite, but the success of the past four years, the manner in which the University Musical Society have more than redeemed its promises in the past is sufficient answer to the question, "what is the next festival to be." There have been no change in the price of seats. It is pleasing to state that the main floor of University Hall is to be reseated with opera chairs. The orchestra at all Choral concerts is to be placed on the flooilevel, this making a better balance between the instrumental and vocal forces, and certainly making the front rows of seats much more desirable than formerly. Tickets are now on sale as announced on posters.

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Subjects
Old News
Ann Arbor Courier