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The May Festival

The May Festival image
Parent Issue
Day
24
Month
May
Year
1894
Copyright
Public Domain
OCR Text

The first annual May festival, given by the University Musical Society in University Hall, began Friday eveningwith a grand symphony concert by the Boston Festival Orchestra. It is tbe culmination oí a series of musical events which have served to bring the University of Michigan into prominence as a musical center. The audience, which crowded University Hall to its utmost capacity, welcomad this fine organization of artists and enthusiastically applauded each number in the following program : Overture, "Lenore No. 3, "Beethoven orchestra; tenor aria, "O, Paradise, " (L Africain), Meyerbeer, E. C. Towne; concerto (No. 1 in E flat), Liszt, Arthur Friedheim; Bird Song, from (L'Allegro II Penseroso) Hondel, Miss Stewart; flute obligato, by C. K. North ; aria from "Rienzi" (Adriano), Wagner, Miss Gertrude Stein ; Wotan's farewell and hre charm, Wagner, Max Heinrich ; symphony, op. 5G, Menhelssohn, introduction and allegro agitato, scherzo assai vivace, adagio cantabile allegro (juerriero and finale maestoso. All the artists with the exception of Miss Rose Stewart and Arthur Friedheim are oíd favoritos at the University, and a university audience is not backward in exprossing approval of artistic worth. The Scotch symphony is an interesting vvork, which bas apronounced national ftavor by reason of the introduction of typieal Scotch melodies. It is a prime f a vori te with concert audiences and its performances under the masterly direction of Mr. Mollenhauer aroused great applause. The Beethoven overture to Leonore No. 3 was the first number by the Boston Festival Orchestra, and its phenomenal success was assured after the hearing of the first few bars. The conductor was Emil Mollenhauer, who has won a position in the first rank of American conductors. The singing of E. C, Towne of "O, Paradise," from Meyerbeor's "La Africain, " showed fine expansión of tone. Liszt's No. 1 E flat concerto, in the hands of Arthur Friedmann, showed splendid rubato effects, which were a foature, and the singing tone of the piano caused prolonged applause. Miss Rose Ste wart proved herself a cultivated artiat. She sang the mad scène from "Lucia" in a perfect manner. She had a clear artioulation and liquid tones. She was so loudly encored that she was forced to respond and sang "Love Be Hanged." May Gertrude Stein's singing of the aria from "Rienzi" showed mueh dramatic feeling. Max Heinrich sang "Woton's Farewell" and "FireCharm," by Wagner. [n conclusión Symphony, op. 56, by Mendelssolin, familiarly known as the Scotch symphony, was superbly performed by the orchestra. The intonation Ly (.he severai instruments was marvelous. Saturday afternoon and Saturday night University hall was again crowded with audiences that showed themselves appreciative by the lioeral applause accorded the singers and players. In the afternoon the festival orchestra gave an orchestral concert, assisted by the soloists la attendance. Miss Stewart once more won for herself great applause and an encoré by her rendition of the "Una Voci, " as a second number she sang "Du Bist Eine Blume" in such a manner as to show the exquisito sweetness and flexibility of her voice. Mr. Gies' 'cello solo showed remarkablo technique and cleare6t tune. The excellent manner in whlch Mr. Friedheim rendered a selöction from Liszt showod his ma3tery of the piano. Felix Wenternitz, violin soloist, is a musician of exceptional abillty, possessing faultless technique and execution. The orchestra maintained its high standard, the noteworthy excellencies being the fine ensemble displaycel and the exquisito shading. Never before in the history of the Choral Union has there been a more satisfaotory concort than the one given at night. The work of the chorus cannot be cntnmended too highly, for it showed the results of careful training and practice under the efficiënt direc" tion of Prof. Stanley. At the close of the concert Prof. Stanley announced that another festival will be given next year and that the "Damnation of Faust" will be sung. A reception to the soloists was held after the concert, which was attended by a large number of students and citizens. Emil Mollenhauer and Albert A. Stanley conducted the orchestra and Choral Union respectively. The work of the Choral Union reflects great credit on Prof. Stanley, whose untirt ing eitorts to encourage the study of music in the University is bearing fruit a hundred fold. From a humble beerinning a few yoars ago the Choral Union has grown to be one of the largest in the country and has shown its ability to render successfully the greatest masterpieces of classical music. During the past five years live series of concerts have been given under the auspices of the Choral Union, making thirty concerts of the highest grade, introducing to the University public the foremost soloists and musical organizations of the country.

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Subjects
Old News
Ann Arbor Register