The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-10-25
BENEFIT OF LIBRARY
A Fair-Sized Audience Hears
Delightful Music.
BANJoisT RENDERS CLASSICS.
The Kntertafnmens nc the Seattle The
atsr VIII Net the Library sew
srAt Hundred DoIlara

The musical entertainment given at the
Seattle theater last evening for the bench,
Of the public library fund was . greater
success srsis;icsiIy than financially. The
financial results could not be obtained
last evening aud will not probably be
known for several days "a returns on
tickets outside Of the box office will have
10 be received before totsl can be
reached. but fair estimate from the size
Of the audience presen, should show re-
turns reaching fully 500 and as many
OF the tickets sold were said 10 have been
unused the receipts may be increased an-
other $50. But the house was not nearly
full, although the object TO. which the
entertainment VAS given and its excel
ience should have filed every seat.
The entertainment last evening was
fully worthy crowded house, and the
programme WIS just long enough 10 be
interesting and not wearisome. One OF
the mistakes evidently made and one
which may have had something to do
with the attendance. was the fact that IN.
stead OF making the great feature the OBJ
iect for which the benefit was given,
namely. the much depleted library fund.
ii was described as grand banjo recital,
etc, etc. Though the banjo playing OF
Mr.. Alfred A. Farland was pleasing and
displayed skill aud talent. yet IL vas far
from being the feature OF the performance.
II may be that the present generation Is
not yet educated to classical music on the
banjo, but certain IL is that classical music.
vocal or MISUNDERSTANDING the banjo
whenever rendered by the excellent local
talent that abounds in this city. is always
well patronized and is always made social
event. A banjo never was intended for
classical music, let the performer be ever
so skilled and never will be, and Mr.. Far
lands attempt 10 make of the banjo what
Paganinni did of the violin Is failure.
The instrument in itself lacks the neces-
sary elements that make IL possible to
draw from IL classical sounds and har-
mony.
This is not gsinsaying Mr.. Farland's
wonderful execution and his most effective
or pleasing effort last evening was his Sc
Ieetions from .Il Trovatore." The over
ture to "Willsm Tell," with DIR. Palmer
accompanying him on the piano. was also
effective. Every one of his numbers was
encored, as was every number on the
programme, and IT, instead of responding
with a further addition of the classical
selections. such as Schubert's serenade
and Handel's Largo" he had come down
TO earth with something more familiar
and popular, the results would have been
more satisfactory.
The gems of the evening were the sing
ing of Miss Ruby Bray, whose charming
contralto voice has already pleased so many
audiences. and Mrs. w. ]. Grambs, whose
clear soprano voice IL is always delight
to hear. Miss Bray sang with telling
effect the cavatina from Robert lie
Diaole. and for an encore sang song of
her father. C. +. Bras's composition,
'Rose and Robin"
Mrs. Gramb's voice is noted for its won
derful range and its bell-like clearness in
both the upper and lower register. Her
best effort last evening was Alfred
Robyn's lullaby, 20 Hush Thee, My
Baby" which was rendered with exquisite
pathos.
Mr.. L. D. Crandall. who was down for a
tenor solo, failed TO materialize, being re-
ported as suffering from severe sore
throat. The First Regiment orchestra
added its strength TO the concert by its
two overtures. and the results viii COM
pare favorably with the best effort of
Cassasa's band. DIR. Palmer. who has
the reputation of being the best pianist
in the city, played the accompaniment TO
the vocal selections. and many regrets
were expressed that he did not favor the
audience with some of the old masters
compositions, for the execution of which
he is noted.