Francis McMillen and Associates Had Large Crowd at Last Concert.
The concert given at the Auditorium last evening was, like the three previous ones in which Francis McMillen participated attended by an audience which completely filled the house.
It was given under the auspices of and for the benefit of the Marietta Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. The three artists in their lines - McMillen on the violin, Richard Hageman on the piano, and Mdme. Rosina Van Dyke, the Dutch soprano gave a concert which is seldom equaled in Marietta and it was an enthusiastic audience that greeted them last evening.
Hageman rendered two numbers in his usual finished style and Mdme. Van Dyke also came in for a share of the applause.
Upon behalf of the local chapter of the Daughters of the Revolution, Francis McMillen was presented with a gold medal. Hon. Charles S. Dana made the presentation speech and he said that the medal was given on account of the real genius of McMillen. The donors of the medal rose when the remembrance was being presented.
Francis McMillen was much affected. He said that he was not much of a speech maker at any time and even less of a one last evening. He and Mr. Hageman rendered "Home, Sweet Home."
McMillen will give one more concert in this city. It will be for school children under 14 years of age and will be held at the Auditorium Saturday afternoon at 1 o'clock. No admission will be charged, but nobody above the age stated will be admitted.
The Register-Leader, May 4, 1907:
Fifteen hundred little voices led by that masterful violinist in the great national anthem "America," sent a thrill through the hearts of older people such as they will remember the remainder of their lives. Such was the opening number of the concert given this afternoon, by Francis MacMillen for the school children of Marietta. When MacMillen stepped to the front of the stage every available seat in the house was taken, every foot of the stage occupied by children, after chairs had been placed for them, and still many had to stand up. The concert was announced for half past one. Long before twelve o'clock the children flocked to the big Auditorium, for they realized that the opportunity of a lifetime was to be presented to many of them.
Long before MacMillen, escorted by the twelve little girls who had strewn flowers in his path upon his arrival at Marietta, last January, arrived, the big hall was filled. Never did it contain such an audience. Never did this world famous violinist, whom Marietta is proud to claim as a son, and who is proud to call the old city "home," have such an audience, exacting, yet appreciative.
As he drew his magic bow back and forth over the wonderful instrument there was a silence so great that even the softest of his harmonies could be heard distinctly any place in the house. His program, which lasted more than an hour, was made up of numbers widely varied, giving the children an opportunity of hearing him in his every mood. There were the little light pieces and the more classical, even to the most difficult numbers and they were all rendered with the same care as if he had been standing before the crowned heads of Europe. He was at his best, that the children of Marietta might say they had heard the great MacMillen.
The concert was a compliment to the children of the city, given to them free of charge, and they certainly appreciated it. MacMillen will be remembered by them as long as they live. And it is safe to say that the feeling will be reciprocated.
Every possible precaution to prevent danger to this precious audience had been taken, the firemen keeping close watch over the building that nothing should happen while police protection was there in case of calamity, but nothing occurred to even slightly mar this most enjoyable occasion. The children are especially honored for MacMillen's last public appearance before returning to Europe was for their benefit. The first of next week he and his party leave for New York and will go from there to London.
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