The morning call., 1893-08-13

joined a philharmonic society. conducted
by j. H. SmethurSt, a well-known man
hen in musical matters. But music. as
profession, my father would not hear OF.
so was forced to submit and became
midshipman in an East LAd!amaD:
"Wera you a sailor for long?' asked
the reporter.
IL had had enough of the sea by the time
we reached Calcutta" replied Mr.. Wilkie.
in tone of disgust. when we reached
Sydney. Australia, l left the ship and
struck off into the interior of New South
Wales. to the gold fields"
And you found gold ?" was asked.
81 was never lucky enough to find any
gold" replied the director of the ballad
concert, laughing. AFTER a short time |
returned to Sydney. My voice had
changed then from bows soprano to
tenor, and E. Nj. Horsley. prominent
organist there. to whom l had letters Of
in reduction, offered me the highest in
ducements to study for musical career.
1t was the realizatiO of childish dream.
and did not need much urging.
Later took lessons from Nine. Bush
ellie. the sister of Vincent Wallace, the
composer of Mariana II was she who
prepared me for my first professional con-
cert, given under the patronage of Lord
Belmore, Governor of New South Wales.
Offers of engagements came in thick and
fast after that, and one OF these offers was
from the impresario of Nine. Anna Bishop.
who was expected in Melbourne, and
wanted tenor to complete her concert
troupe for tour Of Victoria and South
Australia
ut always seemed a strange coinci-
dence," continued Alfred Wilkie, 'that [
should have become professionally con-
nected with that gifted artistic whose sing
ing had years before made me register a
b0yish vow to take up music as profess
sion. My father had actually sent me
away from home to break off any hopes of
such a pro ession. And yet. at the Antip-
odes | began musical career by concert
tour with Nine. Anna Bishop"
1t may be interesting 10 add that the
tour was a decided success. When Nine.
Anna Bishop left Melbourne Alfred
Wilkie remained there. and sang al con-
cert, presided over by the Duke Of Edin-
burgh, the most musical member OF the
English roval family. Under the same
patronage he was engaged to fill the tenor
roles in the messiah" and the Creation"
at Sydney.
Then, feeling himself fairly launched
upon musical career. the young tenor re-
turned to England, where Manuel Garcia
and Turie of Westminster Abbey were
warm in their praises of his voice. He did
not remain at home long. however. for
Nine. Anna Bishop almost Immediately
offered him an engagement to appear with
her in farewell tour that she was about
TO make OF the United States.
Alfred Wilkes first appearance I'D thls
country was made at Steinw way Hall. New
York. Afterward he sang at many OF the
principal towns on the way West, reach
ing San Francisco in July. 1873. Mme.
Anna Bishop seems to have had the prima
dOnna's usual weakness for farewell con-
certs. The season of 1873 proving very
succe ssful, another farewell tour through
The United States was undertaken the 1ol-
lowing year. This ended in San Fran
cisco. where for short time A'ired Wl,kle
sang at Dr. CARPENTERS church on Mission
street. A fattering offer. however, soon
took him to the Church OF. the Heavenly
Rest in New York.
A solo artist is generally man OF many
journeys, and in common with the rest OF
The singers and virtuosi, Alfred Wilkle mas
spent most Of his life on the wing. From
the Church of the Heavenly Rest he mi
grated to st. Thomas. on Fifth avenue. 1t
was while he held that engagement that
the famous Teresa Titjens made her first
American appearance IN Oratorlo. Alfred
Wllkie was engaged as tenor soiolst Tor the
Messiah" and later he joined her COM
pany. Another member OF the troupe was
Arabella Goddard. a pianist whose name
Is historical.
1t would be impossible to follow MIR.
WI!kie through all his weary wanderings.
In Boston he sang in olatorio. making The
fourth In quartet, which comprised EN-
ma Z. Thursby, Anna Louise Carey, and
Myron W. Whitney. He also rendered
the tenor solos in Rnssini's "Stabat Mater"
to the great satisfaction of his fellow.coun-
trymen at the Worcester festival, in 1879.
On returning to the United States soon
AFTER the festival Mr.. Wilkie sang with
Carlotta Patti, and later joined the Hess
opera Company as leading tenor for two
seasons.
put he was growing tired Of wandering,
anu DIS IL had long been his wish to make a
permanent home in San Francisco he set
t .teu mere about five years ago, where. with
.;,e exception IF a few brief tours, ne has
since remained.
A,snough most Of his professional ex-
pea,ence has lain in the line of Oratorio
nnu opera. Mr.. Wilkie is perhaps more en-
..husiastlc about ballads than any other
1oIm OF vocal music. Last winter he
s series Of ballad concerts mere.