Musical Festival.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6649, 13 September 1889, Page 4

Musical Festival.

-^» MEETING OP COUNCIL. A meeting of the Executive Council for the Clirißtchurch Musical Festival was held at Mdßsrs Maling and Co.'s offices yesterday afternoon at four o'clock; present — Messrs G. Bonnington (in the chair), F. Barnett, W. G. Rhind, L. Cohen. S. Hurst-Sealer, Maitland Gardner, and A. Evans (Hon Secretary). An apology for absence was received from Mr Came. The Secretary reported that he had written to Mr Price, Mr Santley's agent, for a more definite explanation of the terms, &c, of Mr Santley's visit. He had received a long communication from Mr Turner, Brisbane, who had seen Mr Price, and understood that the present proposals were to come to Auckland and work South, interfering as little as possible with the Exhibition ; that the personnel would not be changed except in respect of the tenor ; that Mr Santley would sing in "St Paul " and "Elijah;" and that tho present intention was to give eight concerts in Christchurch, the prices to be ss, 3s and 2s. The Chairman thought that so far as this meeting was concerned it would be better to drop Mr Santley altogether until the answer to the Secretary's letter was received from Mr Price. The Sub-Com-mittee appointed to shadow forth a scheme for a musical festival recommended (1) That a festival be held, and the name be the Christchurch Musical Festival. (2) Thatib be held in or about the week before Lent. (3) That the Festival be under the control of the Executive Committee, who shall appoint a Conductor on such terms hs they may deem expedient. (4) That a Festival Choir be foraied. The manner of formation to be by selection ; that the public be asked to join, and that circulars be issued to all Musical Societies, with letters, to the { Secretaries and Conductors, intimating i that the Executive Council are inviting j applications from those willing to help. ; (5) That a Treasurer be appointed with an i honorarium. (6) That the public be inj vited to subscribe a guarantee fund to \ cover any possible loss ; and that such fund shall not bo less than 250 guineas. (7) That the concerts be four or five in number — first, an oratorio; second, a mixed concert; third and fourth, one or two afternoon concerts devoted to chamber music, together with a work or works by modern composers. (8) That the third afternoon concert beheld at popular prices. The Chairman said he had heard that the Dunedin Orchestral Society, numbering thirty performers, would like to come to Christchurch to give a concert in November. He thought, perhaps, a combination might be effected. The report was considered seriatim. A discussion ensued, and it was decided that about Easter would be the best time for the Festival; also that a Secretary and Treasurer with an honorarium be appointed. The report as amended wa3 adopted. The meeting then proceeded to consider matters of dotail, and Bhortly after adjourned.