Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-10-31
SEASONOF WEDDINGS
GREAT NUMBER OF SOCIETY rEo'
PIE SOON TO DE MARRIED.
TEACH THE CHILDREN TO SING.
mn. "wednesday Club TO Undertake
rn,s work-Proposed Class fin Illus
,r.,,en-Lectures Before woman's
cius-.rne weeks entertainments.

CfHH~-sIEE WceaH
oliver wendell Holmes once pathetiealiy
said fhat he was 80 unfortunately datcd
az TO have been boy when II was I'M
perativs that children should give way
20 their elders. and then TO have been an
old man when their elders were all
giving way to the children. Or. Holmes, IL
living. would be as unhappy as ever on
This score. The belief Is now even
stronger than ever that II IL difficult TO
teach an old dog new tricks; that While
the child's memory Is effective as new
broom. and with tastes comparatively I'M
formed, is the time for instruction That
important quantity. "the child" Is being
seized upon by Church and state, and all
others who have a high aim TO accom-
pllsh and enthusiasm strong enough 10
uphold them In. their struggles with the
child" In this flying age, 1t is said,
the results OF all this will appear, and our
successors will be so superior to us that
they viii look back upon their ancestors
as a species Of ape living In a very dark
time OF the worlds history.
The children OF Richmond are this
winter to be invited to take advantage
OF instructions TO be given by certain
members of the Wednesday Club At
least for some time there has been dis
cussion about the ACCESSIBILITY Of opening
the club 20 children, and arrangements
have now been made for classes, for
which all children with embryo voices
lib hac
already done much TO make Richmond
musical Mecca. and this new arrange
ment seems 10 be not one of the least OF
the clubs good works. The children's
classes are 10 be divided into companies.
under the direction OF different teachers,
and then formed into one regiment on
the occasion of concerts and festivals.
The names OF the teachers are to be pub
lished later.
a memorial TO fine work recently done
In the, musical world of Richmond was tho
opera festival of last week. Signor Cam
pobello. the trainer of the singers; MIR.
Walter Mercer, the director, and the
splendid corps OF workers of the Board
OF Managers for the Rosemary Library,
have much reason to be proud of the
result OF their labors
In "Sonnambula." the first opera given,
there was admirable singing and acting.
Many in the audience were especially curl
GUS TO see Miss Bette Booker on her first
appearance as an operate singer Their
curiosity was satisfied by a representation
of the part Of Amina of artistic truth and
Force, with singing which would have
done credit to many an operate star or
long shining. Signor Campobello and
Chevalier Dante del Papa both justified
their regulations as kings on the stage,
RS well as off. The fine stage presence
Of Sgnor Campobello, in both La Som
nambula and Martha" in connection with
his striking manner of singing, m
pressed all who saw him. Del Papa
was inimitable as jealous husband and
fervent lover. Mrs. Durrett made a
charming mother of her charming
daughter Amina and the opportunities
afforded by the score for any exhibition
OF her voice were admirably used. Tho
fine voice Of Mrs Walter Mercer ap-
peared TO excellent advantage in her
contact with the tenor and the bass sing
ers In la Sonnambula-" In Martha"
Mrs Mercer gave the character of Kitty
Bell a sprightliness and charm which
delighted ner audience. Another singer
whose appearance was eagerly looked
forward 10 In both operas was Mr..
Charles Eubank. Mr. j. r. Tyler, Jr-
In la Sonnambula," clerk who seems
60 feel the majesty of the law excess
Siyely. and In Martha" debonair young
farmer-showed remarkable versatility
as an actor. Mr.. c. o. Carepa, another
farmer In Martha" carried out his part
with aplomb and force The sheriff OF
the second opera was Mr.. Joseph White.
In the scene where the peasant girls
to1 old oh
where he exercised his authority as
sheriff. he gave evidence of much talent
as comic actor. Mrs. Durretts powerful
contralto voice was a rare treat to the
audience of Martha" When she finished
the beautiful song in her part as Nancy
the house was ecstatie with pleasure.
Miss Lily Norfieet Urquhart, as Martha"
WAS charming throughout her part.
United to a beautiful soprano voice, she
has a piquancy and originality of man
her which makes her always fascinat-
ing finished execution. a voice which
has won him wide reputation, and
strong dramatic instinct, were the
talents which Captain Frank Cunning-
ham brought into play in his part as
one OF the two important lovers in
martha" The chorus made a fine back
ground for the principals, shifting about
lions. and joining in the singing
with force and spirit Several or
tho young men and girls, especially
attracted attention by their appropriate
postures, gestures, and interesting APP
pearance Two OF the girls who wero
given important places were Miss Betty
Christian and Miss Elizabeth Robins
Their natural and spirited acting was
much praised.
A new interest In the Art Club has been
tia forming. or rather the plan for form
lng, an Illustrators class. In the club
there are a number of artists. who are
anxious TO become better acquainted with
pen and ink as the illustrators medium,
and there are also number who have
already showed decided ability In PEN
and-ink drawing. A few of these are
Mr.. Littleton Fitzgerald. Mrs. Parker
Dashieli, Mrs. James Lyons. and Mr.
Stafford Parker. Accordingly, one or
two leading spirits have invited Mr.. Will
Ham Shepherd 10 take charge OF the
class. Final arrangements II is hoped.
will be mado this week. Another plan
OF some OF the club members is to per-
suade Mr. Charles Dana Gibson TO lee
ture before them during his visit 10 Rich
mond. And two enthusiastic artists have
recently been TO Washington In order to
get new ideas from the work OF the Cor.
coran Gallery. to use for the benefit OF
the Art Club here.
With a little management, II seems. a
citizen OF Richmond could now arrange
20 attend one or two weddings every
day. Cupid has evidently been ashoot-
Ing very brlskly OF lately and evidenf-