The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1886-01-02
THE FIERCE" BASSO.
The Useless Terror He Brought
Upon a Lady Critic.

When | undertook to write musical
criticisms for a daily paper, it was
with the firm determination to do en-
tire justice to everybody. / would be-
stow praise when l considered it due,
and not spare the lash where it could
be rightly applied.
"We want criticisms, Miss Medland;
not indiscriminate fattery or abuse"
said the editor to me. "Let your
words be well weighed. Do not allow
personal preference or dislike to in
fluence your Judgment. Write fear
lessly, but honestly, and consider
performance from every point of view
before committing your opinions to APP
per- When compelled to be severe,
abstain from spitefulness, and remem-
Der that votaries of the divine art have
tender feelings, which they carry very
near the surface. That is all have to
say"
So attended concerts, musicales,
piano and organ recitals and all the
various styles of entertainment in
which music is introduced, and which,
because of some slight difference in ar
ranging the programme, are called by
distinct names. Thus, ballad, vo-
cal duet, two piano selections, violin
solo and refreshments in a private
L.
CRANE in hall, with a quartette and
an aria from an Italian opera added
and the piano solos omitted, is con-
cert, while an entertainment essentially
the same as the first mentioned, but
with the name of the pianist in capital
letters on the programme, becomes a
piano recital.
miss Medland," said the editor,
one Saturday afternoon: 81 should
like you to 90 to church tomorrow. "
al always do"
ayes, but wish you to attend the
services at the Fourteenth P. E. They
have new choir-a quartette-and /
should like to have detailed criticism
of their work in Mondays paper"
Every well. will 60"
"The basso looks very bass"
thought, as sat in the church next
morning and glanced up at the choir,
which was standing up preparatory to
singing the first anthem. "What q
terrible creature, with his great black
beard and eyebrows! 1 hope he will
not compel me to speak slightingly OF
his singing. am afraid of him."
But the next minute the anthem COM
menced, and oh! what bass. 1t was
nothing but discordant growl. II
was useless for the other three voices
to strain at the harmony. The bass
persistently sang in the wrong key
with q disregard for time and tune
that was absolutely maddening.
| never looked up after that frs
glance. l felt that l must show my
disgust in my countenance, and per
haps meet the eye of the basso as i
rolled wildly in its socket in sympathy
with his frantic efforts to control hi
voice. perhaps he will not be so bat
in the other numbers, l thought.
But he was--and worse. As the ser
vice progressed and the choir were a
intervals called on to render their as
sistance, the basso's voice seemed Il
get huskier and more disagreeable
When / sat down in my room that aft
ernoon to write my criticism, l had NJ
conjunction in giving him as severe
lecture as he ever probably received
on paper. Of the other three member
of the quartette l had nothing but goo,
to say, and censured the directors o
the church for allowing the efforts o
three good singers to be rendered use
less by an utterly incapable fourth.
When ] read the paper the next da,
and saw how my hot words looked i
cold type, began to feel uncomfort
able. / thought of the fierce man wit
the black beard and eyebrows, an
wondered what should do if he foun
me out and demanded satisfaction.
wished that it had been the tenor, in
stead. He was a handsome young ma
with blonde mustache, from beneat