The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-04-20
Notable Event for the Lovers Of Good
Music in Our Midst.
THE PROGRAMMES AND THOSE WHO WILL SING

.
The r,ustca1 event Of tho season viii
b sas Ntnth Annual Music Festival to
be given hV the Wednesday Club at tns
aoademy OF Music, Monday and Tues
day eveaiaes and Tuesday afternoon
April q and q.
Not only arc these concerts marked oy
Z the exoellenoe OF the artists ana inc at
tracuvaners Ct tho programs. out they
nre also che social events Of the season.
Society always turns out IN fuii iofce' ano
more brilHan. audiences never assemble
IN the Academy. The mussc co1a!n,..ee
has si1s,vn admirable judgment IN making
tho selection OF soloists a:ld In preparing
the programs. Mover in the history OF
sthe Club has shere been such a strong
orray OF artists. In making the musical
+. selection great care has been taken to
Eliminate everything that would prove tire
some. While all the music Will be OF
classical rnould. it is also SUCH as VIII
appeal to all lovers of music, even to those
.vi,o have no technical knowledge of
music. It is therefore safe to sap that
all who attend these concerts will be
more than pleased.
SELECT ARTISTS
The selection OF Mu1c. Charlotte Ma
conda as the principal. soprano soloist OF
patrons of the concerts. Al American
girl and an American singer, her musical
training has been almost entirely OBJ
ts!ned in this country, She combines IN
ner accomplishments range of voice
that IS unusual, and she is equally at
home In the most brilliant Torture and
the dramatic vocal work of oratorto and
opera. Maconda never seems to be at tho
utmost tension but possesses that reserve
power that is SO rarely found in a col
oratura singer. An absence of stage
mangerisms and natural grace, that
betokens innate refinement and good
breeding. add much to her personal
charms. There is no doubt that she wil
completely captivate the people of Rich
mond when she sings at the concert on
Tuesday night.
ANOTHER AMERICAN SINGER.
The name of David Bispham is we'll
known az that Of lyric artist of Amer
lean birth. whose attachments, distinc-
lion of style. and lovely qualities Of.
voice alike entitle HIM TO the high repu-
,ation that he enjoys. During the past
Eve years he has had phenomenal sue
cess in grand opera with the Grau Com
i1nny in New York and at Covent Garden
Mr.. Elephants work has always been
marked by great originality, depth OF
thought and extraordinary care in the
details Of costume and makeup and his
acting alone would have put him in; the
foremost ranks had he not been a singer.
For several years his classical song re-
citals have been a marked feature OF the
best musical life in this country. His
creation of a powerful role in Prd-
erewsfd.s opera of "Manru'' won for him
unqualified praise Of the best critics of
New York He is AN interesting talker,
with views concerning his art at once in
telligent and earnest. This earnestness
Is one of the secrets of his success.
Another element in found in his many.
sided study Of music. His singing OF
'.Wotan's Farewell" from WaEners Di-
walkure'' will he one of the most enjoy
able features of the concerts.
BEN DAVIES:
IL is Interesting to listen to Pen Davies
as he states his views on singing and the
study Of the art of song. He dwells
UNION the great Importance of n singer
Icing thoroughly grounded in vocal tech,
ninue before appearing in public. Inere
is no more expressive and therefore ar
tistie singer before the public than Ben
Davies His career furnishes another in
stance Of what may be achieved by
+ stcadfast perseverance, high ideals. and a
,,atient continuance in we'll doing. He
has attained his present position by
sterling merit, straightforward methodS
md earnest erdeavor. He first sang in
this country in 1893 when he was en-
the Worlds fair. So great was his sue.
cess that he has come over nearly every
year since. singing at three of the great
Cincinnati festivals. for which he will
sing again this year.
AZURE SOPRANO.
Mrs. Bertha Cushing Child, who is to
sing in tho afternoon and evening pro-
erammes Of the second days concerts has
lure conIralto voice of splendid timbrc
and OF marvellous compass. She will sing
the great aria Mon occur SQUIRE a ia
vcix" from the Samson ct Dalila," Of
the French composer Camille Saint Saens.
This aria is the climax of Delilah's
persuasive wiles. The scene is at nigh:
and the unhappy Samson. torn between
conflicting motives of patriotism ana OF
infatuation for the temptress. has sought
her and listens to her passionate avowa,s
The orchestral setting of this genuine gem
OF lyrical music is, perhaps, the COM
pcser's masterpiece, suggesting as 1t does
the SORROWS Of the stormy night and the
rushing Of the winds. With it's great
dramatic fervor and tempestuous move
ment this aria is peculiarly suited to Mrs.
t-nild's great range of voice and express
sivc style Of singing. Her other sclec-
tions are equally4well chosen.
Madame sEvta Kileski is one of the lead
ine sopranos Of this country. She has
OF Boston and New England particularly.
For SO young a woman her career has
been .singularly comprehensive, embracing
as ii doce the various fields of opera,
cratorio and choir positions. Although
born and educated in America her father
was a brilliant Polish scholar who fed
from Poland during one of the periods of
Russian persecution. Her stage presence
IS gracious and charming. while her voice
is Of almost metchiess purity. being We
trant and sympathetic to degree She
now sings almost exclusively in oratorio.
The press criticisms of her singing in
Elijah have been most fattering.
OTHERS TO APPEAR.
Miss Janet Spencer has smooth. ripe
and sympathetic contralto .roice. and she
sings with excellent skill ard dramatic
fervor Her voice will appear to the
best advantage in Elijah" as she has
been singing with some Of the largest
orator1o societies in the country.
Glenn Hall and Gwilym Miles have sung
here before. and are already great IA
or4tes. Alfred De yoto. the pianist. is
Of italian parentage. lie WAS. however.