Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1893-03-07
AmussmeNrNoTes.

night III l'bNtFS 10 listen I'D the nrSt
concert II the season given by the Ora
torio society. The work of the chorus
was preceded by first part. which was
composed Of numbers by the soloists.
who were Mrs. Davis. Mr.. Stevens Of
Detroit and Mr.. Campbell. and an over
ture by the orchestra Of twenty mu-
slcians, which was organized for this
occasion. A trio 10y Donizetti opened
the concert and was fairly well sung.
MIR. Stevens followed in song by Meyer
Helmund. This gentleman has not
been heard here In more than year and
he was heartily welcomed on his re-
appearance last night. Although Mr..
Stevens was suffering from severe cold.
the effect it had upon his voice was not
noticed in the preponderating excellence
OF his art. His phrasing is elegant and
refined in very high degree. His sing
ing leaves a pleasant taste after ii. Mrs.
Davis appeared to splendid advantagein
aria from don Pasquale," accompanied
10y the orchestra. Her voice is always
delightful and last night she fairly out
sang herself. Mr.. Campbell appeared
in the well-known Toreador song. and
sang it SO we'll that he was recalled
three times. Mr.. Morehead conducted
the Semiramide overture in an admir-
able manner. The tempos were exactly
according TO tradition. and altogether a
spirited rendition was given To the
savo rite concertpiece. In the "Cloister
Scene the soloists, the Schubert club
aud the Oratorio society. appeared To
excellent advantage. The accompanies
were Gaylord Il. White and W. X. Cor
neiius.
James Whitcomb Riley charmed 900
persons in Hartman's hall last night.
with his delightful rccitations from his
own quaint poems. 1t is really of little
moment what Mr.. Riley recited. The
Tact that he appeared and that the se-
lections were chosen from his fayorite
author. Mr.. Riley" as he once gracefully
expressed it, is sufficient. 1t is rare. in.
deed. that writer can be found who
can read his own productions and re-
produce their charm and sympathy and
sentiment as James Whitcomb Riley
can. The poet becomes lost in the sub
lect, and we hear the plain. unpublished
ard untutorcd men and women relate in
their own simple language stories OF
human love and human life that are ex-
quisite IN their naturalness and SIN
cerity. No person ever heard Mr. Riley
recite Good Bye. JIM without feeling
that one OK the tenderest chords in the
human heart had been touched Yet il
must be admitted that the lIoosier poet
did not do himself justice in his
readings last because he
did not read his best poems
Those that he reci,cd are per.
feet IN their natural relation 81 Incl.
dent and in the command ~ the dialect.
but Mr.. Riley should know that his
poems are not great because ~ the
homely subjects and the uncouth
language. They are great in spite Of
both. Knee Deep in June" Il Life
lesson" and a dozen others that might
be named are parts N a permanent liter
aturc. because - the sincerity ~ The
author in depicting thoughts and emo
tons common 10 all humanity. Mr..
Kiley's rccltstioas last night we're *
criient character sketches In fact. tho
audience could not 9et enough n them.
AMI Alr Riley vas compelled. oui N SELF
protection. r. decline further casores.
Miss Maudo Hughes contributed
lsrgeiy 70 tGe euccess ~ the entertain
mcht ~ her harp eclo@. when were
inisrpoiaiei With Mr Rle, reci'a
tions
Lovers = robust r,e.1 drama may
satlafe their fasfrs Ia Tie Grand fHis
wcck \ very sx.rilnuf company ~
actors = presenting an Interesting studs
- fcrtapfIc iafc elaborated So TIE as,
y suferh realism fhc tirF pafrFt
q q Henee@'Eiri HaHlr ior s'lreeesi,,u
~ happit rtneeiN .ti ari n.fiis Nfit
flu dramatic ri0aves 4ta sfost =.
Ike fte stories % al nltlfsefs
There y great gfefAH- s4uia3 hero.
g tlififlsn' ~ - siiasi,si bet os.s.
= o'feiea4fE f,'iss8 ~ course fae here,
ant heir,as= lrlaara nser fhe siiina
h8f e s. actnHriisafi fieh 4 stfias
II thrilling sisuattns aei feaaisfniiv
reailefic scenes. These - a 4is0nner
and reiish % fae s.is aEVf altogether se
ffeeninE - ~ iaffnfF fro actor. a.
~ thr heed y tie cast. IL . atig IS
sisted ~ fIe following named pefosm
et " y titinei + g Meiiouef
WHsn tnse. George sef Nfsl -eHi4.
Lon Harkins Frank i'aff5 ) ~ fismii
fc1 George tnes. Jcera ~ iiesis.
trerfe - Bird sfrrffst.e Bersies
ffsa NscDane'A Ahee kas'sess. nAb.
Aetinxef
Tee tty Sr~srfs~ fualparv rss
greeted ~ a-ze sslIeoee IS Sn5ifhs
al tne ffff raaste elveiS
ff. TIE l%rg j. reseei bufieatas
err Rtg III rh stage zessif "a
ATT sat.fieo'ie. thrugt Aaoty ess
"a mes ne frzFrsF i q hae ere arsi
eserF oafatFr a.efsr faatnrs
Nurphys Reception rrei.s.fs =
etsan eena7it sfefrh 81 uaiea Tire -
fs-r eum Fa1} = seen Ip fhe ssiis are
ls'sise ard t'sfisae Tsfeis ard FlsrrA
the Lesrsie SISTERS tAs ssfe-..lar.s k,..iI,fs
aid tie Nsst sssselA al Melvs..e tie