The record-union., 1894-05-03


spirited melodrama. ''The White Slave"
1t is rich in fine tableaux, varied in
speciality acts and staged with good
scenery and effects. Above all, it is we'll
acted throughout.
The women of Sacramento who have
philanthropically banded together to hold
up the hands of the Humane Society an
nounce benefit for the association at the
Metropolitan Theater on May 10th. The
programme will be given by male singers,
clever people in a comedetta, members of
the Athletic Club in boxing and wrest-
ling, living pictures by the School of De-
sign, dancing by children under direction
of Professor 0'Malley, dramatic readings
by Miss Murrells of this city and Miss
Laura Crews of San Francisco, instru-
mental solos by well-known artists, full
orchestra under Q. A. Neale, and several
others not yet ready to announce. Miss
lrma X. Fitch, who gave such success
full concert last night. has volunteered to
sing, and Mr.. Neale will support her
with flute obligato.
Miss Irma r. Fiich's complimentary
concert at the Congregational Church
last night was a success-it amounted to
an ovation by the crowded house to the
young singer. 1t is two years since this
soprano has sung here. Her improve
ment in that time has been very great.
She has evidently been in the hands of a
good master, for she is still young, not
fully physically developed. He has
clearly restrained effort to develop power
and all his work has been to secure purity
and Hexibility of tone and understanding
of the singing art. He has succeed ed so
far that her flexible voice has not been
strained. 1t is hmpid, sweet, crystalline,
under fine control and capable of wide
range of delicate work. Its tone is ad
mirable, nor is il lacking in power, IS she
proved in the last number, Heaven
Hath Shed Tear" which was the only
number demanding any considerable
volume or strength. She sang with per-
feet ease; there was very little evidence of
effort. Her handling OF her numbers was
delicate in the extreme and clearly did
not develop all her vocal resources. 10
sum up with exactness, Miss Fitch has
voice east in the mold of the imaginative.
1t will steadily gain In feeling, IN which
it lacks now, because of the patent evil
dences of recent schooling. 1t will gain
in power, for she is yet very young and
she has reserve force to develop. Her
fiute-like voice has sympathetic quality
that will rapidly augment. All her upper
tones are pure and of good quallty. her
execution surprised all who heard her,
remembering her beginnings. Tier voice
is not remarkable for great brilliancy, but
it is charming for chastity, purity, teXl-
bility and the freshness and sweetness OF
its youth. She has good stage presence.
very few marnerisms, ample confidence.
and refined taste and sensibility. No
young singer ever appeared here under
more flattering auspices; she had criti-
cal audience and won it from the
start; she had artistic support and did
not suffer IN comparison with the trained
musicians by her side; she was showered
with applause and floral tributes, and re-
called after every number, and after one
twice. Not all this could have been in
spired by frienGship-honest admiration
for the voice ran all through it. She sue
ceeded; the verdict is that she looks into
bright future-what more can debut
ante a6 home-usually the most dreaded
critc-desire at the outset? Mr. Heine. the
celloist, has not been surpassed here
since the Boston Quintette Club was here
years ago. and that is saying a great deal.
His stopping was simply faultless. He
is such player as one longs 10 hear and
rarely does. His style ought to satisfy
the exacting. There was no effort to over
refine, a common failing with ceIloists.
His work, in short, was that of an artist
of sensibility and enthusiasm, held in
hand by fine taste, accurate knowledge of
technique and the demands upon true