Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-05-25

byplay, and, if the byplay be consonant
with the previous actions of the artist, the
introduced song may be an actual re-
fresher, welcome as sunshine after a chill
ing shower.
The evolution of the introduced song
from quality to quantity has resulted in
what are known as musical farce-comedies.
More song than comedy, like beads on a
string the songs predominate, and are held
together by a slender dialogue.
] am not going to disparage these farce
comedies. | have seen some that thor
oughly enjoyed, the songs were so deli
cious and bright; but alas have seen
Others wherein the poor, unfortunate songs
seemed like birds put forth to be shot at,
and really not worth shooting after all.
For myself, | am great culprit, for l
have been introducing songs all my life.
/ must say | have found them very ad-
vantageous, and | shall continue to per-
sonally encourage them until the end of
the chapter.
But never select songs haphazard. |
am very, very particular in my choice !;
very hard to please, and very thoughtful
over the song when | feel suited. / study
a song as carefully and completely as
study part. Reaching for its reasons,
pondering over its possibilities. trying it
this way and that way, l am convinced
that | have discovered every drop of
Juice possible to squeeze from the pulp.
There is as much method in my madness
over an introduced song as the stage man
ager would employ over powerful produc-
tion. He prepares it for long run so
with my song. One good song made
thoroughly popular is better than hun
dred dashed off at random-pleasing that
night, but entirely forgotten next day.
point with pardonable pride to 'His
art was true to POLL" / have sung that
song until it has grown to be part of my
system, and the story it tells is imprinted
on my mind almost as an historical fact
which nobody can deny. Oh. yes; |
have often introduced this song in an in
appropriate situation, but it has been
when the audience has suddenly demanded
it, and my joyous impulse could not resist
the temptation.
But, oh what torments my introduced
songs have had to suffer. How often at
the mercy of an orchestra that had niither
pity nor precision, and made me envy the
artist who accompanies her own song
upon piano that is part of the stage fur
niture.
The most thrilling experience ever had
showed up an introduced song as savior.
Part of the scenery caught fire; the audi
ence was too excited for words to control :;
and, with my heart beating wildly, and a
lump in my throat that almost choked my
voice, | jumped to the foothghts and
started comic song. 1t was one that |
had never sung in public, but one that
was popular on street organs and every
where. / did not actually know the right
words, but l kept on and at it until, from
attracting attention, l commanded inter-
est. The fire was forgotten the situation
was turned from terror into utter ludi-
crousness; the audience returned to their
seats and cheered, and as they sat down
the fire was out.
And so was l-out of breath; out of
strength; out of the nerve and inspiration
that had forced the melody to my lips and
prompted me to quell panic with an in
troduced song.
Shakespeare condescended to introduce
songs in his plays. The forest of Amlens
seemed unlike captivity as the courtiers
sat around and listened to their comrades
glees.
And, on the whole, although the intro
duction may stop the action of the piece a
little, we may as we'll cease to be critical
and allow that there is some compensation
in the frightening effect that it has, or
ought to have.
1t is a pleasure to sing an introduced
song. May is always be pleasure to
listen to 1T. ROSINA NoKEs.