Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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I P, G Stacy, President. .T. O. Wardlaw. Vice Freslden THE MTIOKAL BAM OF GAFFBET. Capital $50,000.00. Wilt, buy county claims, receive deposit make liberal loans on approved paper I*. O. Uoss, Cashier. TH H Ledger SEMI-WEEKLY-PUBLISHED TUESDAY AND FRIDAY. WE GUARANTEE The Reliability of Every Adve tiser Who Uses the Col umns of This Paper. A Newspaper in all that the Word Implies and Devoted to the Best Interests of the People of Cherokee County. ESTABLISHED FEB. 16, 1894. GAFFNEY CITY. S. C., FBI DAI, APRIL 27, 1900 S1.00 A YEAR. THE FIBS! ANNUAL MUSIC FESTIVAL, It Will Take Place May 8th and 9th. GREAT MUSICAL EVENT. Sketches of the Itrilliaut Artists that Have lieeu Kiigagol fur the Occasion—The Choral Society Actuated by a Most Lauda ble Desire, Tho first annual Mi-io Festival under the auspices of the Limestone Choral Society, will be held in the Limestone Oolhge Auditorium at Gafiney. S. (’., Muv Sib aril () b. No etl >rt i spar. I by Bruch’s dramatic cantata. “Fair Ellen,”,or “l he Siege of Lucknow;” Gounod’s setting of the 137th Psalm; the last part of Gaul’s beautiful sa cred cantata, the “Holy City;” also two or three popular operatic ex cerpts. In these works they will have the assistance of some of the finest soloists that can be secured in this country. The management has span d no expense, and lias secured the best artists to artist. Three of them have never before sung south of Washington, D. C., but they are widely known in th. North and West, as well as in Europe. Tho basi-o, Joseph 11. Ifaernsitein, only last week signed a contract to sing fer three years in grand opera at 1 lam berg, G rtnmy, therefore we cannot hope to he ir h;m again in the tSouth for '.ime years. Every one should take ■hi'i opportunity of hearing this ix.'i'ilent and popular singer. The tenor soloist, H. vbert Johnson, is T' 4 J* Tt..' . « :4t sr I '¥i MME. KVTA KII.IGSKI, SOPRANO. management to offer as complete and brilliant a schedule of performances as has ever been given in the South. The Choral Society is actuated by the laudable desire of being one of , the great forces at wora to elevate the standard of music, and bring to tb« people of this section of the couDtry the privilege of hearing the great choral works, of all schools of maaic, adequately rendered; also, to briftg here the most celebrated artists tbtft can be procured, thereby giving our’people the best musical advant- The society numbers about one well know in New England, where be has often appeared with the largest choral societies. It was on his ac count that the management was compelled to place the date of the festival in the middle of the week, for this excellent singer holds the position of first tenor with the famous Male Quartette of Ituggles St. Churcli in Boston, and it was simply impossible for him to miss the Sunday services. No more silvery voiced tenor has ever been heard in the South than Herbert Johnson. Festival Forces. Mine. Evta Kileski. Dramatic So prano. Mrs. Grace Contralto. Battis-Brown, Mezzo T f» ¥' m Wm A F.«. 'A# m mm JOSEPH 8. IJAERNSTEIN, RASSO. a it hundred singers—the best musical talent of the college, Gaffney and surrounding country. Since the 1st of January these have been drilling faithfully, once each week, for tho coming festival. The earnest work they have been doing on some of the great master work cun only he appre- kted when heard. It can safely asserted that no finer o. moru jished chorus singing by amateur igers will have been heard in the |uth. Director Brown is widely low as a choral conductor, espeo (ly so in this tstate, as probably ire South Carolir.iuns have sung ider his baton than under that of |y other conductor. He is known a severe and exactirg drill iiiaslt-r, It the cerefulruHs of hi-, work u [own in the splendid singing done his chorus at the public concerts. iThe chorus will be heard in Max Mr. Herbert Johnson, Tenor. Air. Joseph II. Baernsteio, Bass. Max Bendix, Violin Virtuoso. Miss Georgia Steedly Pianist. Mr. Jos. S. Craighill, Organist. Limestone Choial Society, about 1WJ voices. Wade R. Brown, Conductor. Three concerts will be given—two evening at 8:30, ami one afternoon at d :8b. The afternoon concert will occur May bth, the eeaond day of the festival. Tickets are now $1.00 for each concert. The entire management of the sales is In the bands of Mr. YV B DuPre. Mr. DuPre has had years of experience in handling concerts and theatrical attractions, and his management of this important part of the ifestival scheme will insure sat isfaction to the patrons. Tickets are on sale at the furniture and art store of A. B. Gaines. Write at once to Mr, DuPre, enclosing money order for reserved seat tickets. He will send you the best seats not engaged. The hotels and boarding-houses of Gaffney will be crowded during Fes tival week, and those expecting to attend should engage board and rooms at once. Write to VY'ade R. Brown. Lime stone College, for information con cerning boarding houses, etc. Espe cially low round trip rales have been granted.by all railroads in North and j South Carolina, so that all music !ov- j thetic to a degree. Alusically Mad- amu Kileski is superior, and alto gether we’are safe in regarding her as one of the most satisfactory artists before our public.”—Alusical Courier. “Mme. Kileski, the soprano soloist, who appeared Tuesday evening in the city hall under the auspices of ti 5 Augusta chorus is without acception the sweetest singer who 'has been beard in A i:gu>ta. She has a voice S' soothing, so sweet and so power ful, when there is need, that it is no wonder she won the storm of ap- — 1 — were delightfully rendered. She never sang more sweetly, charming her hearers, who applauded her to the echo.”—The State, Columbia, S. C. “Mrs. Brown is an artist of great ability and whenever she appears her singing shows care and taste in the choice of selections and skill in their rendition.”—The News and Courier. “One of the finest numbers of the program was the vocal solo, La Visione sung by Mrs. Brown. Mrs. Brown possesses a voice of extraordi nary compass and power, full of won- LIMESTONK < OU.K<; E. era are enabled lo attend this F. stival ' for one fare for the round trip. T ek- ets are good on all trains. The 8 C. and G, will run a special train to Blacksburg, Shelby, Yorkville and Rock Hill immediately after (he last concert, Wednesday evening May 9.h Mine. Kileski. Mme. Evta Kileski,is oneof the lead ing sopranos of America, who has i long been identified with the musical life of this country, but especially that of Boston and the New England States. For so young a woman her career has been singularly compre hensive, embracing as it does the various fields of opera, oratorio and choir positions. In some re spects her record resembles that of most of the better known singers, in that unusual talent appeared at a very early age and was of sufficient strength to enable her to appear in public prior to her fifteenth year. From this ago, however, she has con tinuously held responsible positions, singing in operas, oratorios and church choirs. . “In New England Aladamo Kileski is well known as an oratorio soprano. Her engagements for the past three seasons have been chiefly for festival and orchestral concerts. Her reper tory embraces all the standard ora- pljuse that she did.”—Daily Kenne bec Journal, Me. “Mrs. Kileski Bradbury lias a voice of power and extensive range, and as clear as a bell, as indicated last night when she ascended the scale into the highest notes in “Ave Maria,” by Gounod-Bach. It was a j great triumph, and after bowing her appreciation of (lie audience’s ap plause, the people would take no re fusal until she repeated her perform ance and scored a still greater suc cess.”—Worcester Daily Telegram. “Airs. Bradbury, the singer, who comes from Boston, scored a great success. 8he lias a rich and powerful voice, and her use of it marks the trained and intelligent artist.”—The Standard Union, Brooklyn, N. Y. Airs. Evta Kileski-Brudbury receiv ed an ovation noon her appearance in Lowell last Wednesday when she sang the Soprano role in the cantata “Lorelei.” She was recalled many times and the press and public seem ed to be of one opinion as to her effi ciency.”—Musical Courier. Mrs. Grace liatti* Drown. The contralto of the quartette, though a home artist, is yet fully competent to do any work assigned to that part, Mrs. Brown is widely and favorably known in the South, espec ially in South Carolina, and she has derfuines • ami mellowness —Colum bia liegis'.er. Mr. Ilorljort ,1011118011. Mr. Il -rbert Johnson, of Boston, the firsi tenor of the famous Ruggles Street church male quartette, who has been engaged as the tenor solo ist. is considered one of the greatest so hi tenors in America. His singing always gives the greatest satisfaction and lie is invariably a favorite with the audience. The following are a few notices from some of the leading newspapers in regard to his work: “The soloists were all cordially re ceived. Herbert Johnson is one of the linest tenors ever heard in Roch ester. His voice is beautifully, even, clear, flexible, of great range, unvary ing in quality and used with consum mate art. Mr. Johnson sings with absolute ease, I’ossessed of a superb stage, presence, his very personality seems to blend with and become a part of the music he sings. In hie solo and uts familiar encore, “Sally in our Alley,” he was equally pleas ing, dignify mg the quaint little bal lad into almost the quality of an aria by his exquisite method and faultless style. In the opening strains of the magnificent quartette from “Rigo- letto” his voice rang out clear and sweet, and not once during the even- torios, and many of the works of the dramatic and classical composers, be sides a large number of English songs and ballads. As for the personality and voice of the subject of this sketch it i > not j neotssary to speak at length, for the | publie will soon have a chai ee further to judge for itself. Her stage presence is gracious and charming while the voice is of almost matchless jiurlty, being vibrant ana sympa- > had years of experience as a concert soloist. She possesses a mezzo-contralto; voice of gr* at power and beauty; her voice is rich and mellow and she sus- | tains her tones with the greatest ease ; even in the most difficult p t-sages. Her voice lias been highly eulti- | vated by years of study under the best masters of this country and of Europe. “The vocal solos by Mrs. Brown j ing did he strain for a note or sing with the slightest manifestation of effort. Mr. Johnson’s singing is a de light.”—Rochester Journal. “Mr. Herbert Johnson has a tenor voice sympathetic in quality and es pecially rich and full in tho upper register, and he sang his recitative and aria from “The Messiah” last evening with telling effect.”—Wash ington Post. “Much of the interest of the even ing centered in the appearance of Mr. Herbert Johnson, in connection with oratorio work, for he has been looked upon by those best acquainted with his abilities as a coming leader in this class of concert work.”—Bos ton Herald. “The Singers’ Society gave for their third concert last evening, “The Desert” by Felicien David, with the Symphony Orchestra. Mr. Herbert Johnson was the soloist, and he sang with superb effect.”—Boston Traveller. “Mr. Herbert Johnson’s rendering of the “Prize Song” from “Die Meis- tersinger,” English Text, at the Fes tival concert last evening, proved him to be a thorough artist.”—Wor cester Spy. Joseph S. Daerngtein. “It is doubtful if any American singer holds a warmer place in the hearts of American audiences than Joseph S. Baernstein, the basso. A!- honors to the almost total <>c)ii-!on of the other singers. Mr. B>n r-tei i’b really dignified and well sung presen tation of the role marked the highest flight of the evening’s attainments.” —New York Press. “Mr. Baerstein is without a peer. He sings with an ease, grace and fin ish well nigh perfect. His enuncia tion is clear and distinct, making it a real pleasure to listen. Vocally we have never heard a better rendition of any work, it is well suited to his sonorous voice, which displays at the same time a mellowness of tone, art in execution and phrasing, and a flexibility quite wonderful for an or gan of such Yoiumo and tambre.”— Cincinnati Tribune. Mr. Max Dt-ndlx. The name- of Max Bendix will al ways be linked in memory with the famous Thomas’ orchestra; for it was he, as many will remember, who, after the sudden retirement of Theo- L 5 ^ tty' > A -•• •ru -i'*’ m / ' ^ jKf, r -af .-L ' 7-V ^5 k ’ ir** ■ ’a? - 8 ' . F// tif.' -ft AS 1 '.' V- .:?£■$ //: JS* -sSoi MRS. GRACE BATTLS-BROWN, MEZZO CONTRALTO. though the professional career of Mr. Baernstein bridges a period of only four years, he is admired from ocean to ocean. He has won the approba tion of the most discriminaling au diences all over the United States, and is ardently admired by all who love refined music and artistic sing ing. “Mr. Baernstein possesses a gen uine bass voice of exceptional com pass and superb power. Full and vibrant, it is never harsh. Its mel low quality is one of its potent charms. He is blessed, too, with the artist temperament, and is brim ful of magnetism. His nature is musical and bis taste is refined. The intense earnestness of his nature finds expression in his voice. He im presses everyone that he is the digni fied, sincere artist who has a just j dore Thomas, took up the aiduous j duty of director, gaining many laurels at the world’s fair. Before 1 that time his reputation as a violinist uinl concert-master had been firmly established. In one or other of these capacities he has appeared in every city of importance in the United States. He came to New York in 1885 as concert-master for the great opera season at the Aletropoliten opera house. Although but twenty years old at that time his exceptional abilities and remarkable talents as an orchestral violinist and soloist at tracted the attention of the leading orchestral musicians of America. When a concert-master was needed, therefore, for the Thomas orchestra Mr. Thomas at once offered him the post, which he held from 1886 to 1896. During the world’s fair this MAX IIENMiX. VIOLIN VIRTtOSO. conception of his high calling.” Air. Baerstein has sung with nearly 1 all the large choral societies in the I United States, and has appeared in j many musical festivals. His work in oratorio has won tho unqualified sanction of some of the severest mu- i sic critics in this country. ILe suc cess has been unvarying. His work, | whether in oratorio, recital or con-| cert, bus always shown careful prep- i aration and intelligent study. One { particular feature of his singing-— his enunciation—has boon much praised. Whether he sings in Ger man or English his pronunciation is excellent and his enunciation above reproach. Mr. Buornstein’s repertory includes about eighty of the principal orato rios, cantatas and operas. ‘ Seldom do we hear a performance when the bass carries off all the. orchestra consisted of 114 artists, selected from the leading orchestral players of the world. This appoint ment so successfully held during ten years has placed him in the front rank of the present day musicians. It 1«. however, as a violinist that Max Bendix has made his name chiefly known. 'I l.e most conservative critiques have pronounced him a born leader, possessed of a sense of rhythm that is irr< sistuble, an intense tempera ment and u purity, strength and beauty of tone that are exquisite. Besides all this he is a true artist and musician, and seeks only that which is highest and best in the art. llaiir speaks of Bendix’s mavelou* left hand which he says is a giant's with tendons of steel, and Yaaye em- [CONTiMUKD OK LAOX THKLA. ]