It soon became apparent that Philadelphia had something very unusual in Leopold Stokowski. He was young, but rarely gifted, and he dedicated himself to reaching a high artistic goal for the Philadelphia Orchestra. His plans were of a daring character and at times almost took away the breath of the Board of Directors; for instance, when the idea of giving Mahler’s Eighth Symphony was presented and Mr. Stokowski announced that it would cost $14,000. There was much discussion, as the Board was convinced that this performance would be unpopular and not a success from a financial point of view. However, the desire to have the name of the orchestra connected with productions of an unusual nature and to keep ahead of the times musically, won the day, and it was decided in 1915 to produce this gigantic choral work in March 1916. The story of this production is dramatic from the moment that Leopold Stokowski, after having secured the rights for the first American performance, escaped from Munich in August, 1914, with the score in a handbag, all he had time to pack. Mr. Stokowski was at that time still a British subject, having only taken out his first papers for American citizenship. Having secured the consent of the Board of Directors to produce this symphony, this announcement was issued. THE PHILADELPHIA ORCHESTRA LEOPOLD STOKOWSKI, _Conductor_ First Performances of the Mahler Eighth Symphony Academy of Music, Philadelphia Thursday Evening—Friday Afternoon—Saturday Evening March 2, 3, 4, 1916 Metropolitan Opera House, New York Sunday Evening, April 9, 1916 With Orchestral and Choral Forces of Over One Thousand and the Following Soloists: FLORENCE HINKLE, Soprano INEZ BARBOUR, Soprano SUSANNA DERCUM, Contralto REINALD WERRENRATH, Baritone ADELAIDE FISCHER, Soprano MARGARET KEYES, Contralto LAMBERT MURPHY, Tenor CLARENCE WHITEHILL, Basso First Chorus—The Philadelphia Orchestra Chorus, 400 Children’s Chorus, 150 Second Chorus—Philadelphia Choral Society, Mendelssohn Club and the Fortnightly Club, 400