, 1878-05-24
The Great American Basso.

Myron w. Whitney, who is to be one
of the singers at the coming San Fran
cisco Festival, was born in Ashby, Mass,
Sept. s, 1886. About the year 1854 he
went to Boston, Mass, and shortly after
placed himself under the training of e.
II. Frost, teacher of considerable sbili-
ty. He remained with this gentleman
for some years, constantly studying, and
making rapid progress. While pursuing
his studies, he filled the position of lead
ing bssso in the then celebrated choir of
fremont Temple, which, under the leader
ship of Mr.. Frost, enjoyed reputation
not confined to Boston alone, as it had
become one of the features of the city,
and attracted large congregation 10 the
Temple. The first appearance of Mr..
Whitney in oratorio was during per-
formance Of the Messiah" by "Frost's
fremont Temple Choir" on Christmas,
1858. Mr.. Whitney sang "Why do the
nations" SO effectively as to win for him
self the commentator of the press Of
the city, although at the same time the
Handel and Hadyn society were present
ing such artists as Wetherbee and others
in the same role. The writer of this well
remembers the glorious manner in which
the great basso of to-day, then but a
smooth, fresh-faced boy, rendered this
arduous creation of Handel. His posi-
tion was established from that time, aud
needed no prophet to foretell it.
His first appearance before the Handel
and Haydn society was at the Christmas
oratorio of the Messiah in 1861, when he
secured the favor of the society and its
patrons SO fully, that he has ever since
been retained for the annual Christmas
concert. In fact, he is so indispensable
an item in this annual oratorio that his
absence would be regarded as a disas-
trous element.
In 1868 Mr.. Whitney went to Florence
for the purpose of placing himself under
the teaching of the great Vannucini, the
celebrated master of the Royal Opera.
In the summer of 1871, Mr.. Whitney
went to London and was absent about one
year. During greater portion of this
time he was under an engagement to Mr..
Mapleson of Covent Garden Theatre, un.
der whose auspices he appeared in Lon
don and the provinces. The engagement
opened with season of seven weeks at
Covent Garden, during which he ap-
peared every evening.
At the close of this engagement, Mr..
Whitney had the honor of singing in
"Elijah" at the great Birmingham Festi-
val. Several of the eldest of the choris-
ters, who had assisted in the first perform
ance under Mendelssohn, came forward
at the close of the oratorio and cCngratu-
lated Mr.. Whitney upon his eminent sue
cess in the role of "Elijah." The distn-
guished basso relates this incident with
great interest, and dwells upon it with
pardonable pride. During this festival
the following great works were also pro-
duced, viz: Spohr's "Last Judgment y
Handels Messiah" oNe Of Haydn's
Masses, and other equally excellent
works.
At the Cincinnati Musical Festival Of
1873, Mr.. Whitney's already gloriou'
reputation may be said to have cul'
minated and at its close he stood before
our entire people hailed and acknowl.
edged AS the greatest living basso speak
ing and singing in English. This popu.
lar verdict has since been affirmed and
re.atfirmed, and is entirely just and we'll
deserved. He was warmly greeted on
his recent brief visit to our coast, and
will be welcomed on his return by all
who have had the pleasure of hearing and
knowing him.