“FIRST POPULAR CONCERT A GREAT SUCCESS—BISPHAM THE SOLOIST “The first popular concert of the Philadelphia Orchestra at the Academy of Music last evening was a great success, not only from the financial point of view—the proceeds being for the benefit of the University Hospital—but from the artistic, the soloist, Mr. David Bispham, coming in for a special word by reason of his familiar finesse as an interpreter of aria and song.” PROGRAMME CARL GOLDMARK Overture “In Spring” WAGNER Pilgrim’s Chorus from “Tannhäuser” (a) WAGNER “Evening Star” from “Tannhäuser” (b) VERDI Page Song from “Falstaff” JOHANN STRAUSS “Danube Maiden’s Waltz” BRAHMS Hungarian Dances Nos. 1 and 2 BEETHOVEN Overture “Leonore” No. 3, Op. 72 (a) SCHUMANN “The Two Grenadiers” (b) SCHUBERT “Hark, Hark, the Lark” GRIEG “Ase’s Death,” “Anitra’s Dance” (_For String Orchestra_) (a) GOUNOD “Oh That We Two Were Maying” (b) H. H. WEIZLER “Killiekrankie” (c) DAMROSCH “Danny Dever” LISZT “Hungarian Rhapsody” No. 2 MR. DAVID BISPHAM, Soloist In the early days rehearsals were held in the banquet room of Musical Fund Hall, and in the room of the Commercial Museum, through the courtesy of those organizations. Later Odd Fellows Hall was rented, but since 1912 the rehearsals have been held at the Academy of Music, by a special arrangement with the management, which has always co-operated to the fullest extent with the Association. THE STRAUSS CONCERTS During the fourth season of the orchestra’s existence, the Executive Committee took the bold step of engaging Richard Strauss to appear with it in Philadelphia. Later, two appearances in Boston with the Philadelphia Orchestra were added, as it was learned that no guest conductor was permitted to conduct the Boston Symphony Orchestra.