The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1888-11-01
THE NARY HOHE COMCERr

$500 -A@hAhA AACff II OONCEhLs
The Second Congregational Church !
never contained a finer audience and |
rarely, If ever, larger one, than con-
vened on Tuesday evening within its !
spacious audi orium to honor Vermont's |
mott gifted songs ress and her associate
artist.
Mary Howe was born in Bratt eboro,
Aug. s, 1867, hence Is a trifle over 81
years old, She descends from musical
family Her father, years ago, was a
singing master in Windham county and
is now a prominent citizen and pho
togrdpher of Brattleboro. Her mother
possessed musical qualities, and, we
think, was a Sinonds. or kin of that
family, formerly living in Peru. VT.
III the possibilities of the human voice
equa'ed the measure of human criti-
clsm, Mary Howe would find few critics
even though che ia hardly yet beyond
her teens To justly pass sentence upon
her merits one must not overlook the
Iact that she Is yet pupil, held in the
rigid grasp OF her instructors and guild
ed by the stern discipline of the Berlin
school. she pays full homage to her
instructors, conscious that the path
ways to ultimate success lead only
through womanly fidelity to the lessons
80 faithfully pursued in Germany.
Mary Howe is still student who will
soon return to her books under the best
masters in France, at Paris.
1t IS not too much to say that, even
to-day, her equals are few her superiors,
OF her age, none. Also that a golden
future Of promise seems to wait for that
perfect development in realism which
comes only after the master and pupil
separate and the artist battles alone for
fame, unhampered by nothing save
faulty Judgment, or failure in health.
Those few who assume to criticize Mary
Howe, forget that she.i5 only struggling
to attain perfection, forget that she is
more cognzant than they of her imper-
fectlons, and also forget, the poverty Of
voice OF ordinary singers compared with
hers. The wealth of volume, the fault
less quality, the depths Of tender ex-
preston which filled the lines of Mary
Howe on Tuesday evening, mark her as
worthy all the praise that has been be
slowed upon her.
To the great audience who listened
the melody Of Home, Sweet Home
will not coon be effaced from theil
minds or their hearts. Those who can
sing this simple ballad with more ten
der pathos, more soul inspiring m sody
are few, il anv.
Mr.. Alfred De SIEVE again renewed hi
acqu iintance with Bennington audi
ence and confirmed by his magica
wand his mastery of the violin. and hi
doubtless is the peer of any violinist o.
his age in the world.
Miss Ella NJ, Chamberlin whistled her
self into the hearts of her auditors anC
again made an impress which vii
long linger IS one of the most charming
incidents in this brilliant concert,
Prof. Bradford was at HE best in H
Carson's Ride" reciting with such fer
vor and effect that he could not RESPOND
: to well deserved encore.
' Mr., Fred \. Flagg sang with grea
e acceptance IT, rich musical tones, ant
/ was loudly arr Landed.
, The accompanied Mrs, De SIEVE an,
: Mrs Knes' man performed finely, ant
Mr.. Lucipn Howe Miss Howe's brother
( showed Iinly the traits of an accom-
= pllshed musician.
Misses Howe and Chamberlin, an,
: Mr. De SIEVE, in fact all of the artists
were given double encores, to whicl
the three former responded.
The high character Of the whole en-
tertainment was worthy of the pIac
and the occasion and marked distinc
; and lasting epoch in the annals of Ben
ning'on musical history. rhe BANNEl
congratulates the church, also Mr.
Cnllds, upon the success OF this CRANE
= concert and its columns will follow ant
record the future career of America
rising singer, Mary Howe, and the bril-
p liant artists who aided in the testimonial
of Tuesday evening. This star of prom
Use gives her farewell concert at b at
: tleboro about the middle of November
The New York Churcltmdn sent 1t
musical critic to Worcester 10 hear Mis-
Howe, and it gives her splendid nc
tice, and says Vermonters ought 20 fee
, proud, as undoubtedly they do, OF thei
4 musical star which has risen so sudden
! ly in the horizon. In common with tina
, influential journal we concur in thei
, Musical Doctors estimate that whaleve
may be said in praise or criticism u
; Mary Howe. justice will declare tina
( she possesses none of III t atfectatio
, which so often mars the manner of thos
who cater for popular applause. Sh
stands like statue and her melodie
( come from the heart. Sung in the con
Q sclous heroism and courage of her ar
! without any offensive action or posin
/ for effect.