NEW YORK, THURSDAY, May 4, 1922.
|V\vsical(ourier
VOL. LXXXIV—No. 18. Whole No. 2195.
well trained and she sings intelligently. She seemed at her best in songs of a subdued nature. Mr. Stratton possesses a voice of more than ordinary resources and will no doubt be heard from in the future. He has thoroughly musical temperament and a voice well adapted to all forms of vocal art. He made a profound impression with a remarkable negro spiritual, “Were You There,” by Manney.
Expression Recital.
Annie Swensson, head of the expression department, gave “The Servant in the House,” by Charles Rann Kennedy, on Friday afternoon, before a large and appreciative audience. Her presentation was very artistic and true to the characters portrayed. Miss Swensson, who is the daughter of the founder of Bethany College, Dr. Carl Swensson, has given her best effort to this department and brought it to a high plane of excellence.
Oratorio Concert.
The evening of Good Friday has always been reserved tor “Home Folks” and it seemed good to see the Auditorium filled to capacity. For over forty years they have been coming to these Friday night concerts and as time goes on they seem to crave the inspiration of this master work (“The Messiah”) more than ever, and it might be said that no more attentive and appreciative audience greets the chorus than the one on Good Friday. They look upon it as a divine service which administers to their spiritual needs.
(Continued on page 6)
LINDSBORG’S FORTY-FIRST ANNUAL
MUSIC FESTIVAL PROVES GALA AFFAIR
Matzenauer Opens the Series of Concerts—Bethany Oratorio Society Gives 117th, 118th and 119th Performances of Handel’s “Messiah” with Chorus of 500 Voices—Marguerite Ringo, Mildred Bryars, Charles Stratton and Frank Cuthbert, Soloists—Ringo-Cuthbert Recital—Bethany Band Offers Popular Program—Faculty Concert—Bethany Symphony Orchestra—Bethany College Instrumental Trio—Bryars-Stratton Heard in Joint Recital —Students Presented—Mid-West Music Contests—Erna Rubinstein Creates Sensation
Brase played beautifully Guilmant’s “Marche Funebr'e et Chant Seraphique.” “Baracuba,” by Paganini-Cross, was brilliantly rendered by Arthur Uhe. Vitali’s “Ciaconna” for violin and organ made a decided impression.
Bethany Symphony Orchestra.
Wednesday evening the Bethany Symphony Orchestra presented a varied program in a finished manner. The
Next
Opera Assured Season
m Chicago
On May 1, according to a statement issued by President Samuel Insull, of the Civic Opera Association, of Chicago, a certificate was filed with the Central Trust Company of Illinois, by which all the property, good will and rights of the Chicago Opera Association were transferred to the new organization. Mr. Insull also announced at the' same time that !the guarantee fund of $500,-000 had been subscribed in full, his statement reading as follows :
_ “At the time I started in to raise the additional money required to complete the guaranty of $500,000 per year for five years, without which continuance of grand opera in Chicago on an adequate scale could not be considered, I was told that the original subscriptions to this guaranty fund amounted to $251,000. Since that time the women’s committee has secured subscriptions amounting to $95,530 per year ; a committee which I organized, and which was composed largely of public utility officials and employees, has secured subscriptions amounting to $176,950 a year. This makes a total of $272,480 of new subscriptions secured this spring.
"If all the original $251,000 of subscriptions prove to be good—and there is no reason to believe they are no!t good, as each consists of a personally signed card—the total guaranty fund now amounts to $523,480.”
In explanation of the last paragraph it may be said that the first $251,000 worth of guarantees were obtained for the Chicago Opera Association, and that Mr. Insull refused to consider them as binding until they had been re-signed in favor of the Civic Opera Association of Chicago, the succeeding organization.
Lindsborg, Kan., April 21.—Margaret Matzenauer opened Lindsborg’s forty-first annual music festival, held during Easter week, April 9 to 16 inclusive. The program presented by her was of high standard, including selections from the old classics, the German romantic and the modern French schools, and also a few songs by American composers of today. As the program progressed it was interesting tc note what remarkable vocal resources she possesses. Hei voice is well adapted to every vocal form whether it be the dramatic operatic, the romantic or the coloratura. Coupled with this is an intelligence of a high order which always directs the musical message. She performed “Care Selve” by Handel And “Pastorale” by Veraccini with artistic phrasing and beautiful finish. The aria.
“Lieti Signor,” from “Les Huguenots,” by Meyerbeer, displayed a flexible coloratura technic. The group of German songs by Wolff, Schumann and Brahms was masterfully interpreted, “Spring _ Night” being probably the most outstanding. Debussy’s characteristic numbers, “Les Cloches” and “Mandoline,” were given with fine conception. “Seguidilla,” from “Carmen,” which closed the program, brought a genuine burst of applause, and as an encore she sang “My Heart at Thy Sweet Voice,” from “Samson and Delilah,” very expressively, which formed a fitting climax to the afternoon.
George Vause at the piano supplied that artistic background so necessary to give the proper setting to the vocal part. He also contributed two piano solos.
Oratorio Concert.
Handel’s of the
Mortal Accident to Mrs. Grainger
Mrs. Rose Grainger, mother of Percy Grainger, was killed by a fall from a window in the Aeolian Building on Sunday, April 30. Mrs. Grainger had been ill for some time past as the result of an injury to the spine suffered many years ago, so
ill that even her son could not see her before he left for his tour of the coast. She had recovered to a considerable extent since he left, but on Saturday evening suffered from a severe headache and telephoned Percy Grainger’s manager, Mrs. Antonia Sawyer, asking if she might come in on Sunday morning and chat with Mrs. Sawyer, while the manager attended to some matters in the office, merely to divert her thoughts from herself. Shortly after reaching the office, she complained of suffering and asked Mrs. Sawyer to obtain some warm milk for her. Mrs. Sawyer went out, returning in about ten minutes only to find no trace of Mrs. Grainger. Looking out the window, she saw her figure on the roof of the next building. Mrs. Grainger, who had complained of suffocation, had gone to the window seeking air, and, only half conscious, had fallen out. It is said that she was not killed immediately by the fall, but died before she could be removed to the hospital.
Mrs. Grainger, who has been her son’s companion all his life, came to America with him about eight years ago. Mr. Grainger has since become an American citizen and for the last two years he and his mother made their home in White Plains, where they had purchased a house. He had just finished an appearance with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra when the news reached him and took the next train for New York.
Photo © by Mishkin
SUZANNE KEENER,
young coloratura soprano, of the Metropolitan Opera Company, who made a distinct. success singing the role of Gilda in “Bigoletto” at the Easter Sunday night concert at the Metropolitan. Her “Caro Nome,” sung in. its original key and ending with E natural in alt, ■won an ovation. “She ■was the surprise of the evening,” said the New York Tribune. R. E. Johnston, the manager, who was present, immediately offered her a five year contract to appear as assistant artist to Titta Ruffo, Beniamino Gigli, Giuseppe de Luca and others.
The excellent performance of “The Messiah” this year is one “high lights” in the history of the Oratorio Society. Never have the difficult figurations been given more distinctness, more sureness, and rhythmical precision by the different sections. The basses and tenors have taken a leap forward in this respect and now balance beautifully with the sopranos and altos. Hagbard Brase has given much attention to the finer details Qf expression this year and the result of this work is noted in almost all the choruses. Undoubtedly the chorus has grown in efficiency since its trip to Oklahoma City. It now has the assurance and artistic finish of the professional chorus. Hagbard Brase is beginning to realize the ideals which he has been laboring to inculcate during his time of directorship. The orchestra, with Ellen Strom at the organ, furnished excellent support. An unusually strong violin section has been developed under Arthur Uhe’s instruction. The woodwind and brass sections had been augmented, which contributed to the necessary foundation for the choral part. The soloists were Marguerite Ringo, soprano; Mildred Bryars, contralto; Charles Stratton, tenor, and Frank Cuthbert, bass,, all of New York City. They sang their parts in a very creditable manner. Mr. Cuthbert and Mr. Stratton were outstanding. They have splendid voices and sing with conviction and good style.
Ringo-Cuthbert Recital.
string section, with Terence Pihlblad, concertmaster, again stood out as prominently efficient and with a complete orchestration the result was highly gratifying. “Merry Wives of Windsor,” Nicolai; prelude and adagietto, Bizet; “Wedding Day at Troldhaugen,” Grieg, were favorite numbers. Marguerite Ringo and Frank Cuthbert assisted with two splendid song groups. Hjalmar Wetterstrom has succeeded remarkably well in getting the best results from his players.
Ensemble Recital.
Bethany College is fortunate in having a first class instrumental trio, consisting of Arthur Uhe, violinist; George Riecks, pianist, and Hjalmar Wetterstrom, cellist. They performed the Gade trio, op. 42, and Arensky’s op. 32 with good ensemble and fine musical understanding. Mrs. George Riecks assisted with two groups of songs of which the aria, “Adieu forets,” from “Jeanne d’Arc,” by Tschaikow-sky, was especially well received. The second group con-. sisted of songs composed by George Riecks. The one entitled “Indian Summer” pleased most.
Bryars-Stratton Recital.
Mildred Bryars and- Charles Stratton gave a well balanced program Thursday evening. Miss Bryars’ voice is
Monday evening Marguerite Ringo and Frank Cuthbert gave a joint recital, in the Auditorium. Miss Ringo sang “Ballatella” from “Pagliacci” with dramatic expression and also appeared to advantage in romantic numbers.^ Mr. Cuthbert gave a fine exhibition of his vocal powers in the aria “Oh Ruddier than the Cherry.” The fluency and distinctness in figurations is a marked feature in his singing. He seems to be at his best in the big things, which he does in a big way.
Bethany Band.
Bethany Band presented a popular program Tuesday eve-ning The principal numbers were the March from “Tannhäuser,” by Wagner, and sextet from “Lucia di Lam-mermoor,” played by Messrs. San Romame, Baker, Leaf, Peterson, Stenberg, and Center, in a proficient manner. The band under ־Hj almar Wetterstrom’s leadership is maintaining its high standard and never fails to bring out large, appreciative audiences. Mildred Bryars and Charles Stratton contributed two groups of songs, which were well rendered.
Faculty Recital.
Oscar Thorsen, Hagbard Brase and Arthur Uhe gave.a most interesting recital Wednesday afternoon. Mr. Thorsen interpreted in a masterly manner two intermezzos by Brahms, and Liszt’s variations on a theme by Bach. Mr.