Democratic Sentinel, Volume 9, Number 11, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 April 1885 — THE GRAND OPERA FESTIVAL. [ARTICLE]

THE GRAND OPERA FESTIVAL.

Now we speed the parting and welcome the coming guest. As the Gormans art leaving we are reminded that the Italians sre coming by the opening to morrow of the hex office for the sale of season seats for the first Chicago operatic festival. This festival apperls to the people for manv reason . It differs from a regular operatic season in that its cho s and crchestra are increased to the festaval standard by additions from oui local singers and players, and that it will be given in an audito rium the seating capacity of which is so arge as to warrant a reduction of prices to a standard within reach of all patrons of music. In other words, the same artists will be beard. during the festival for less than one* half, and in some parts of the audito rium, for less than one third wnat it cost to hoar them last season in a theatre. And it must also be remem-' berod that they will be heard to still : greater advantage by reason of the enlarged and improved accessoriesIn this direction the festival Is exactly what its manager claim for it—an; attempt to give grand opera at pun ular prices. When it is possible to hear such artist as Patti, Scalchi, Nevada, Fursch-Madi, and others for a dollar and a naif, .t may be claimed that at last the problem of cheap opera Is solved. The festival again commends its j self to popular pa ronage because the troupe which Mr. Mapleson will 1 bring here contains not only Mme. Patti, the greatest of living vocalists, but throe otnor prima donne who are ranked by many as her equals, and a lon array of tonor. baritones, and bassos, besides an orchestra headed by the best of Italian opera conduct ' ore, Big. Arditi. With such a force as this, reinforced in its choral and orchestral ranks to festival dlmnaalong, there is no reason co doubt that the various operas to be brought out during the two weeks’ season; will bo performed la a throughly .effective manner. The repertoire itself is also a very popular one. embracing works from the French, Gorman and Italian schools. The ; announcement for tne first week has hardly, if ever, been excelled in any of the numerous Italian seasons in tails city, including as it does "Bomiramide,” with Patti and Sealchi; "L ( Africaine,”with 2 Fur»ch-Madi; < *Mlreilla,**(itß first performance here), wi h Nevada and Scalehs; “Aida,” with Patti and Scalchi; “Lucia.” with Nevada; and •DerFreischutz,” with Fursch- adi. In the second week i the array of operas is none the less .attractive, as it includes “Lohengrin,” “The Huguenots.” “Feust,” “Linda,” ; and “Traviata” —the latter unquesta ionably Mme. Patti’s best pet a inance. Lastly the festival snoull be patr nized because it is a local affair, » >d upon ijs success bangs the issue • -chean opera in the future. The »■' rive managemen is in the hands of i associate n of citizens whose names alone are a guaranty that the festival is as a cul virn ; and its guarantors are also prumiuent ditizaus wno arc willing to assume any loss vlii-n may occur ir. order that ihe people may have opera at reasonable prices. It therefore depends upon the people them-, selves to say wether it shall oe a* success. They have constantly complained that they have been kept rwaf by the high prices, and that they could not afford to pay all the way from-$8 to $6 for a seat The action of the association an the public spirit ©r the guarantors have now made iit possible for them attend fourteen performances for sl2 by buying-season seats, and to obtain the best seats in the house for the season: for a. little mance. If they fail to avail themselves of this extraordinary privilege they will have no right to complain in the future.

We bespeak sos the association a most liberal patronage, and one which will encourage it to retain its organization with reference to future performances under thesame circumstanees; for whatever of profit may accure fr )m this under taking will be reserved as a fund for another season The people may .rely iipm it ihat thnv will be furnished with a magnificent and comfort ible auditor rium elegantlp appoined and decorated, and supplied with all the conveniences ol a firrt class opeao hous°. The orders for seats which • already coming in £a<>m all parts of the West show a widely extueded interest iu the scheme, and also fuanish a hint to our own citizens not to be behind in securing seats GEO. P. UPTON. The L., N, A. <fc]C. Railway company will run a special excursion train to morrow. It will pass Rensselaer at 10:04 a. ni., and other Japer county points at corresponding times. Returning, excursion tickets will be good on trains leaving Chicago, as follows: At 7p. m. and 11 p. m. Saturday, Apr. 11th, and at 7:40 a. m. Sunday, April 12th. Fare for the round trip, including admission to < to the Festival; from Monon, Marlboro, Pleasant Ridge, Rensselaer and Surrey $3,50. From Fair Oaks Rose Lawn, Thayer and Shelby, $3.00. *

Two operas will be given on the day of the excursion, a matinee at 2p. m., and in the evening. Excursionists can attend either or both, and still return home on the late Saturday train. Nathaniel Scott, of this township, celebrrted his 95 birth-day Wednesday, the result of steadfastly voting the Democratic ticket We trust the venerabe gentleman may be spared to his relations friends, and the community many years to come, and that he may enjoy the blessing of health and prosperity.