Annual Springtide Festival of Song: 8th

“For the Orpheon Free School fund”

“The eighth Spring-tide Festival of the Orpheon Choral Societies was celebrated last evening at the Academy of Music, and its celebration was attended by a large audience. The programme consisted of solos, glees, choruses, and instrumental music, and it was interpreted to the gratification of all present. Signora Eugena Bellini Mariotti sang with decided effect the cavatina ‘Ah! fors’ è lui’ from ‘La Traviata,’ and an air from ‘Il Ballo.’ The other singers were Mr. Leigh Cole and Mr. Harvey Claremont. Mr. Jerome Hopkins played one of his own compositions, and a full orchestra of members of the Philharmonic Society, conducted by Mr. Antoine Reiff, performed several pleasing selections. The vocalists were accompanied on the piano by Mr. J. B. Poznanski. The chorus of the society was strengthened by the boy choruses of St. Albans, the Church of the Heavenly Rest, and Holy Apostles, under the direction of Mr. Charles Fischer. There was much applause.”

“The programme was varied and interesting. Mr. Hopkins has accomplished a good work in the training of boy choirs in this city.” 

“The yearly spring tide of the Orpheon Choral Society Free Choir Schools, founded by Mr. Jerome Hopkins, the pianist and organist, took place on Monday last at the Academy of Music, and was the eighth annual public demonstration of the efficacy and excellence of the Orpheonic idea now of eleven years’ growth. Signora Bellini Mariatti, from ‘the golden South America,’ a niece of the great composer, was the prima donna, and Mr. Hopkins the solo pianist. Both were warmly received and were twice recalled after their solos. The part-singing by the Select Orpheon Club of twenty-five voices, ladies and gentlemen, was of a superior order, especially in Ford’s Madrigal ‘When first I saw your face,’ and the heavy chorals with full chorus, including choir boys, were so massive in power that it was difficult to believe that few of the singers knew one note from another last October. The concert was successful and the trustees of the Orpheon, and Mr. Hopkins especially, are to be congratulated.”