The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-01-25

to add one more, accompanying her
self, and bow her thanks in response to
a call for still another. Miss Helen
Sunderland Howe, the beneficiary, was
cordially received. Hers is fresh,
deeply sympathetic and flexible So
prano, firm in tone, and marked by
depth Of feeling. There Is very little
emphatic or confident about Miss
Howe's work, and it is free from man
nerism; it is modestly presented and
faithfully performed. Her voice is full
Of promise. If she has the physical
strength and nerve calm essential she
will develop fine singing qualities. As
it is, this city of her nativity, which
has given so many fine musicians to
the concert and the operate stage,
may well be proud of Helen Howe's
vocal gifts, and expect of them rich
fruitage Her "Hindoo Song was de-
livered with feeling, good taste and
ample volume of tone, well managed,
The love song in response to the encore
was very pleasing. In Gounod's Ave
Maria" with cello obligato by Mr..
Griffin, however, the generous qualities
of her voice were developed, and the
promise of her abilities more deeply
impressed upon the auditors. 1t was
an intelligent, soulful effort. and de-
served all the warmth of applause it
evoked In response she gave a
charming selection admirably suited to
her voice. Miss Edith Estelle Howe,
well known here as an accomplished
reader, tod Dobson's "Story of Ro-
sina" and William Brands May
o,,1 - hod IN 10 oh
number, which she did with humorous
selections. She is a cultivated reader,
of easy presence, a good measure of
dramatic power and very pleasing
style. But the opinion is justified that
her regular selections might have
been happier ones. Neither gave
her hearers evidence of the full
power of which she is evidently
possessed. If Rhys Thomas, the
refined and highly cultivated oper-
attic tenor, ever sang better, no Sacra-
mento audience-and he has sung to
many-has been aware of it.. He was
in splendid voice, and evidently in cap
ital spirits. for he sang with a pro-
fundity of feeling and imprisoned re-
finement of tone shading altogether ar
tistic. He gave the Prayer from
"Rienzi'' in the spirit of devotion, with
depth of feeling, expressive and taste
full phrasing, and with infinite senti-
ment It carried his audience on the
wings of a storm of applause, and
brought him back with a delightful
love song. His last number was Doug
las Gordon" There was one other
number that was treat not often ac-
corded here, and at the hands of home
people who do not boast of their abil-
ities 1t was Meditation from
Faust" with Miss Lizzie M. Griffin at
the grand organ, Miss Carolee Wilsey
at the piano, and Franklin A. Griffin,
| celloist. 1t is not excess of praise to
commend it as artistic and one of the
most delightful of instrumental num-
bers. A difficult and long number, Mr..
Griffin played it without notes, and
smoothly, cleanly, and with feeling and
delicate appreciation of his task
wholly unexpected from an amateur.
The organist and pianiste were quite as
satisfying, and introduced into the per-
Torrance refinement Of execution and
intelligence of Interpretation that made
the trio notable success. Clearly the
audience, one altogether accustomed to
meritorious work, was deeply i'm
pressed, for it insisted with sincere ap-
plause upon the three modest players
returning to receives an ovation of
plaudits Miss Wilsey and Miss Flor
ence Williams were accompanies dur
ing the evening, and left nothing want
ing on their part. They had the good
taste to make accompaniment true
support, and yet to repress II to a de-
gree altogether commendaple.