The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-11-22
A NEW BARITONE,
w. II. Keith'S Successful
Concert.
An Ovation Given the California
Singer Last Night-Paris Has
Done Wonders for Him.

Considerable curiosity has lately been
expressed in the musical circles of this
city as to the progress which William II.
Keith has made in the vocal art during
his three years residence in Paris. Need
less TO insist, therefore. that The San Fran
cisco barytone's concert last night in
NJ etropolitan Temple attracted large
audience.
For "auld lang syne" and friendships
sake Mr.. Keith was applauded immedi-
ately upon his appearance on the plat
form before he had lifted Up his voice to
sing note. The applause, however.
which greeted the finale of his first aria,
"Herodiade." by Massenet. was of a diff
ferent nature. 1t was Enthusiastically the
appro baton of an audience thoroughly
satisfied with an artistic performance.
Mr.. keith's voice, as an instrument is
eminently satisfactory. Nature has gifted
him with q dramatic barytone organ of
considerable power and wide COMPASS.
Joined to this he has evidently had excel
lent training in the placing of his voice.
There are none of the so-calied breaks"
that mar much otherwise fine singing. On
the contrary, Mr.. Keitb's voice is full and
even throughout its whole extent, and Is.
moreover. possessed Of a singular amount
OF resonance.
Another feature OF the young Cali
fornian's singing which gave satisfaction
was his command of the various shades of
forte and piano. From the lOudest pas
sages to the softest his voice was equally
easy and resonant, while be showed CONF
plete command of that most difficult and
artistic shade Of power. the "mezZa voice."
or half-lOud voice.
The "Herodiade" was sung with con-
siderable ease of execution and dramatic
expression, although IL was not to be ex-
peeted that singer just beginning his
career would render dramatic music with
all the tricks Of The trade at the command
OF experienced operate artists. The more
Mr. Keith sings in public the more lie will
doubtless learn to throw away certain
GOODNESS and cOnstraint In the manage
ment OF bis voice. In spite of the SYM
patty of his audience last evening there
were moments when it seemed that he was
almost afraid Of his own beautiful gift.
'Herodiade" was followed by an un-
qualified demand for an encore. MIR.
Keith responded with my Native Land, ="
rendered eharmlngly. His next song on
the programme, Adams well-known
Noel" was given so excellentiy that the
singer received a perfect ovation and grati-
fed his hearers by repeating Noel"
Paladilhe's "Patrie" wRs well suited to
display the baIytone's low notes. although
its dlrge-like character made it nonot-
onous when repeated as an encore. How
ever, 1t was more the fresh, pleasing tones
of the singer than the actual song that the
audience wanted to hear.
Although the audience last night vas
largely composed of friends, there was no
doubt as TO the favorable impression which
the new barytone created apart from any
personal feeling on the part of his hearers.
Miss Ada L. Weigel. who accompanied
charmingly, also played piano solo by
Rubinstein with proficiency and deicacy.
Miss Anna hillpr WOn1 rapaivn6
core to her singing of Gounod's "Queen of
Sheba." She also rendered Gorng
Thomas "a Summer Night"
DR.. A. 7. Regensburger added to the at
fractions Of the concert by his cello solo,
Romance Sans Paroles" by Gillet.