MUSICAL COURIER
30
March 16, 1922
CINCINNATI’S ORPHEUS CLUB
GIVES SPLENDID PROGRAM
Florence Macbeth Delights as Soloist—Edgar Stillman Kelley Conducts His Own Symphony—Last of Young People’s Concerts—Notes
Cincinnati, Ohio, March 1, 1922.—The Orpheus Club gave the second concert of its season at Emery Hall yyhen a fine program was presented. The members number about one hundred, and under the leadership of Proyer Symons the organization has made fine progress. One of the most enjoyable numbers was “O Captain! My Captain” (poem by Walt Whitman, inspired by the tragic death of Abraham Lincoln, and given a beautiful setting by Henry Holden Huss). Another number well rendered^ was “Ashes of Roses,” by Rosseter G. Cole; also the jolly old English hunting song, “John Peel,” by Mark Andrews. The big number of the second half of the concert was an arrangement by Mr. Symons of the celebrated “Sextet” from “Lucia,” for soprano and male chorus, it being rendered delightfully. The soloist was Florence Macbeth, the brilliant young soprano of the Chicago Opera. Her appearance here was a musical treat, for she possesses a voice of great beauty and range. The large audience greeted her enthusiastically, and deservedly so, for her singing was the outstanding feature of the concert. Her songs were varied, including “What’s Sweeter Than a New Blown Rose?” by Handel; a delightful old Swedish song, “When I Was Seventeen;” Massenet’s “Si les Fleurs Avaient des Yeux.” She responded to the outburst of applause by singing in a charming way “Cornin’ Through the Rye.” She also gave Meyerbeer’s “Shadow Song” from “Dinorah,” which made possible her more serious work. The concert was in all respects a success.
Edgar Stillman Kelley Conducts His O^n Symphony.
There was an added interest in the tenth concert of the symphony series of the season by the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra at Emery Auditorium that made the occasion doubly attractive. This was the appearance of Edgar Stillman Kelley as conductor of his own symphony, the “New England.” The composition has much of uncommon merit, and was received with an ovation by the audience. Mr. Kelley proved to be a capable conductor, and the orchestra was in full accord with him during the entire rendition. The opening number of the program was Saint-Saëns’ fine overture, “The Barbarians,” which was played admirably, the members following Director Ysaye carefully. The soloist, Mme. Yolanda Mero, who was to have appeared, was not able to fulfill her engagement on account of sudden illness. Conductor Ysaye substituted the “l’Arlesienne” suite, No. 1, of Bizet, as the first number on the second part of the program. The other numbers were Wagner’s “Funeral March,” from “The Twilight of the Gods,” and a fine performance of Wagner’s “Rienzi” overture.
Last Concert of Young People's Series
The fourth and last concert of the young people’s series given by the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra at Emery Auditorium was marked by the largest attendance noted at any of the concerts. The program was attractive and of special interest to the younger folks. In addition to the usual feaures there was present as guest conductor, Edgar Stillman Kelley, who directed the orchestra in a performance of his own composition, a symphonic poem, “Alice in Wonderland.” It is a charming composition, and one that appeals in a special way to the juveniles, being full of pleasing melodies and of a nature that appeals to the youth. There was also a description of the number of Thomas James Kelley that added to its charm. The first part of the program was devoted to the second movement of the “Military” symphony of Haydn, three movements of the Beethoven “Pastorale” symphony, and Ponchielli’s “Dance of the Hours.” In each of the above Mr. Kelley made some preliminary remarks that increased the interest in the same.	W. W.
Muzio Sings at Roumanian Benefit
March 10 Claudia Muzio was the soloist at a Roumanian benefit, under the patronage of Queen Marie of Roumania, at the Hotel Plaza. Among those present were Margo_t Asquith and Prince and Princess Bibesco.
Miss Muzio sang the “Vissi d’Arte” from _ Puccini’s “Tosca,” costumed in a stunning white gown and picturesque hat of white aigrettes, which conveyed somewhat the atmosphere of the opera, and also several songs. She was warmly applauded and received floral tributes.
Besides groups of songs in English, Italian, French and German, Miss Roberts sang a Russian folk song, “Buckwheat Cakes;” “Soldier’s Bride,” Rachmaninoff; “The Clock,” Sachnovski, and “Ragneda’s Song,” by Serov. The best song of her English group was “Twilight,” by Mrs. H. H. A. Beach, written for and dedicated to Miss Roberts. Granville English was at the piano.
A members’ recital was given before the St. Cecilia Society on February 17 by Mrs. Thomas B. Ford, soprano, and Hazel McEachron, pianist. Mrs. Ford sang “One Fine Day,” from “Madame Butterfly,’ and songs by Polloni, Woodman, Campbell-Tipton, Coombs and^ Hageman, besides “Why,” “Allah’s Garden,” and “The Kiss,” three songs of much merit by Charles P. Seager, a local composer. Mrs. Russell Cole was the accompanist for Mrs. Ford. Miss McEachron showed the results of much study and excellent teaching in the “Pathétique” sonata, Beethoven, and numbers by Dvorak and Debussy, besides an arrangement of Kreisler’s “Liebesfreud,” by Ottokar Malek, of Chicago and Grand Rapids.
At the Browning Hotel Sunday evening musicale on February 19, an interesting program was excellently given by Reese Veatch, baritone, including songs by Gray, Kiel, Clarke, Rachmaninoff, Ferrari, Poldowski, Massenet, Roderick White, Glenn; Head and Hageman. Helen_ Baker Rowe was the accompanist. H. C. Schreiner, who is touring the state in the interest of the starving children of Europe, and who will leave soon to study in Italy, sang two tenor solos.
Two recitals were given, one in the _ evening and one in the afternoon, on January 29, at the First Methodist Episcopal Church, by Guy E. Filkins, organist, and Thomas C. Muir, tenor, both of Detroit.
A concert was given on February 21 at the Burton Heights Methodist Episcopal Church by Elsie Illingworth, English mezzo soprano, and her assisting artists, known as the London Concert Company.
The Germania Maennerchor, which has been reorganized after an interruption of several years, gave a concert_ on February 8 in Union High School auditorium. William Van Gemert is the director. Assisting was the Bell Trio (Charles Bell, violin; Hilda Bell, cello, and Anna Eiken-hout, piano) ; Mrs. Frank Hegel, violin, and Mrs. Mary Skory, soprano.
The first Sunday free concert of the series arranged by the St. Cecilia Society was given in the Armory on February 26. The concerts will continue for five Sundays, and will be given at the Armory instead of at Powers’ Theater as for the past two years, the theater _ having proved too small to accommodate the crowds who wished to attend.
On February 20, before the student division of the St. Cecilia Society, a lecture recital on “The Holy Grail in Art, Music and Literature,” was given by Letta Thomas. Illustrations were played from “Parsifal.”	H. B. R.
Ithaca, N. Y., February 28, 1922.—Herbert Witherspoon, noted vocal teacher and grand opera singer, founder of the New York studios which bear his name, will again be the head of the vocal department of the Ithaca Conservatory of Music and Associated Schools next year, according to an announcement which has been made_ by General Manager George C. Williams of the combined schools. The announcement also carries with it a proposed expansion of the vocal department faculty whereby Florence Hinkle, who, in private life is Mrs. Witherspoon, and who is also a noted teacher and opera singer, will also join the local staff beginning with the fall term. Prof, and Mrs. Witherspoon will come to Ithaca once each month to meet their classes. In addition, Witherspoon will bring with him two other teachers from his metropolitan studios. One of these will be an assistant teacher, who will remain here permanently following up the Witherspoon system of voice teaching. The other will be a practise teacher who will supervise the practise work of the students. The Conservatory plans to install a practise teacher in each instruction department beginning with the fall term. Herbert Witherspoon is recognized as one of the best voice teachers in the country and for a number of years was one of the most prominent singers of the Metropolitan Opera Company. He is completing his first year as the head of the vocal department of the Ithaca Conservatory of Music.
John Quine, also a notable product of the Witherspoon studios, has signed a contract for another year as a member of the voice staff of the Conservatory here. This will make five teachers in all from the Witherspoon studios, who will be on the faculty of the Ithaca Conservatory of Music, beginning next September.	L. E. M.
Los Angeles, Cal.—(See “Music on the Pacific Slope.”)
Minneapolis, Minn.—(See letter on another page.)
(Continued on page 40)
ACROSS THE COUNTRY
Asbury Park, N. J., February 25, 1922.-—The Apollo Glee Club, recently organized, made its initial appearance in the Neptune High School Auditorium, _ February 10. It was greeted with enthusiasm and_ received flattering praise for the excellent results obtained in so short a time, clean attack and good balance being among the good features noticed. There are thirty-one voices, and Herbert Stavely Lammond is the conductor; W. Leroy Raisch was the accompanist. Nine well selected numbers were given by the glee club, and Ruth Pearcy, contralto, rendered a group of solos, revealing a rich voice.	S. B.
Atlanta, Ga.—(See letter on another page.)
Boston, Mass.—(See letter on another page.)
Buffalo, N. Y.—(See letter on another page.)
Camilla, Ga., March 1, 1922. — Georgia Day was fittingly observed by the Camilla Daughters of the American Revolution, a program which was enjoyed by more than five hundred people. Among some of the numbers which were especially good (though all deserved mention) were the following:	chorus, “Cherokee Rose of Georgia”;
“Mighty Lak’ a Rose” (Frank Stanton), sung by Mrs. J. C. Turner; “A Legend of the Hawthorne Trail,” Mrs. Schuyler H Floyd; “A Cradle Song” (Barille), piano solo by Mrs. A. J. Swann; “If I Were a Rose,” (Hasselberg), Mrs. Leon Perry; vocal solo, “A Song of Georgia” (Annie Ford Wight), Mrs. G. L. Wade; the same composer’s “Palms dhd Pines,” and Frank Stanton’s beautiful “A Hymn to Mother,” sung by Naomi Bennett.	P. G.
Chicago, 111.—(See letter on another page.)
Cincinnati, Ohio.—(See letter on another page.)
College Park, Ga. (Atlanta suburb), March 1, 1922.— One of the prettiest of the season’s entertainments at Cox was the valentine musicale-tea given by the members of the Phi Lamba Sigma Society, to guests who were mostly from Tech. Oglethorpe, Georgia and Emory. A beautiful musical program, including a concert number for two pianos by Liszt, played by Mrs. Crenshaw and Dr. Kramer, of the Cox music faculty, a solo by Miriam Edmonds, and a violin number by Lucile Tharpe, was given.	P. G.
Columbus, Ohio.—(See letter on another page.)
Fort Collins, Colo., February 28, 1922.—The auditorium of the Colorado Agricultural College here was filled on February 20, when Ernestine Schumann Heink sang in this city. She was warmly applauded in appreciation for her remarkable personality and her voice which she has preserved so long for the music lovers of America. It was the anniversary of the death of one of her sons in France, and her singing of Ward Stephens’ “Have You Seen Him In France” and LaForge’s “Flanders Requiem” tried her composure.	. E. A. H.
Fort Worth, Tex., February 25, 1922,—The Euterpeau Musical Club rendered an interesting program of Wagner music, January 25, in its beautiful and spacious club rooms. Mrs. Robert Emery conducted the meeting and read a fine paper upon the life and achievement of the great poet-librettist-musician, of whom a bust in bronze was produced. The violin quartet—Brooks Morris and his pupils—played the prelude to “Lohengrin” and was very well received. “The Ride of the Valkyrie,” a quartet by Mmes. Taylor, Brown, Rudansose and McCutchin, was well executed, and received with vociferous applause. Violin numbers Jby Ralph Lake, with C. C. McKey at the piano, both of Texas University, were very delightful and testified to the talent of this young artist. He played “Romance” and “The Prize Song.” “Evening Star” was beautifully sung by Robert Pendery; he sang in English and his diction was excellent, his voice being low, clear and sweet, and the young man is totally unconscious of his own worth, which is very refreshing in one so young. An elaborate luncheon followed, at which the mayor of the city, Mr. Cockerel, made a short talk upon the importance of music, especially at this particular time of the year.	J. C.
Grand Rapids, Mich., February 26, 1922.—The third concert of the Mary Free Bed Guild course was given at the Armory on the evening of February 6, by Sergei Rachmaninoff, pianist. His program included numbers by Handel, Beethoven, Weber Tausig, Nicolas Medtner, Chopin, Liszt and Rachmaninoff. The delicacy and evenness of his tone, his truly musical interpretations and his freedom from any assisting gestures of the body, made his performance a delight.
The second artist recital of the St. Cecilia course was given on February 3 by Emma Roberts, mezzo contralto.
Grace Bradley
Contralto Metropolitan Opera Co.
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