Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-01-17
A REMARKABLE SINGER.
Soprano Well Known Here Makes q
Hit in New York,

|
/ A pretty and interesting story is told
bit recently made by Mrs. Louise Mac
Kay Leslie, young woman who is quite
we'll known in Marshalltown, as she has
visited here several times and sang at
| the dedication of the Methodist church
several years ago. Mrs. Leslie is the Sis
ter of Mr.. Theron Halieck, well-known
travelling salesman who visits Marshall
town. The Journals story of her recent
accomplishment Is as follows:
AT the annual Christmas perform
snce of Handel's Messiah given by the
Oratorio Society in Carnegie Hall, Mrs.
Leslie achieved what has never been
done before at public performance Of
the immortal oratorio, when she sang
the chief soprano solos of the remarka
lily difficult score, not only without
single rehearsal, but without ten min
utes notice. Miss Sara Anderson and
Miss Palliser, the soprano soloists en-
gagged for the occasion, sent word at the
last minute that they had colds and
could not sing. Until it was all but time
for the first soprano solo. however, it
was thought that Miss Anderson was in
the room there. But she was not.
Walter Damrosch, who was conduct
ing, was at his wits end as to what to
DO. The audience felt the tensity of the
atmosphere. For a moment It looked as
Il the performance would have to go on
without soprano solos. Suddenly Mr..
Damrosch bethought himself, of Mrs.
Mary A. Skinner, the well-known vocal
instructor, who studio is In Carnegie
Hall. Mrs. Skinner, when besieged for
assistance. declared she had but one pu-
Pill, Mrs. Leslie, who had studied the
role, and that she was at that moment
in the audience. Mrs. Leslie was found
and rushed behind the scenes. There was
no time to lose.
Suddenly Mr.. Damrosch looked up
and saw a slight girlish figure in sim
pie street costume standing on the big
stage awaiting his signal. Mr.. Dam
rosch declares that he almost tainted
with apprehensive surprise Neverthe-
less, he began the introduction to the
aria, There Were Shepherds Abiding in
the Fields He was rewarded by the
sound of a clear, flexible soprano voice
of marvellous range, rising full and true
above the crash Of orchestration.
When Mrs. Leslie sang the last note
the house rose to her. She received an
ovation the like of which was never Civ
en- a Messiah soprano before One tri-
umph followed another, until L Know
That My Redeemer Liveth.' when 1t
seemed as If the applause would never
cease.
Mrs. Leslie. a simple Scotch Canadian
girl. young, pretty and modest. was as
much surprised as the great audience |
She has lived in New York but a few
years, and during that time has studied
vocal music under Mrs SINNERS COM
petent instruction. Mr.. Damrosch said /
after the performance:
To my knowledge 1t is the most
wonderful thing of its kind ever done |
No one ever did such thing before.
Mrs. Leslie should go upon the operate
stage at once
Mr.. Andrew Carnegie. who. with his
family. occupied his usual box. was pro- |
fuse in his expressions of appreciative
oelight. When told that she was a
Scotch girl, he expressed desire to meet
his little countrywoman.
Mrs. Leslie's present plans are to
study in New York until June, when |
Mrs. Skinner will take her to Paris to
have her voice tested by eminent grand |
opera critics. Then she will study abroad |
curing the summer, and go upon the
cperatic stage in the fall"
The Federation OF woman's clubs has
extended the right of honorary menu |
bership TO the men who make Rocky |
Mountain Tea. Women's greatest BEN |
efactor Mcbride g. VIII Drug Com
pany.
cRo0ks Asle crupepo