The Saint Paul globe., 1904-04-15
Schubert Club Concert.


Herbert Witherspoon, the basso, who
sang last night at the Park Congrega-
tlonal church under the auspices Of the
schubert club. is the most brilliantly
equipped vocalist st. Paul has heard in
many seasons. To begin with Mr.
| WltherSpoOn is gifted with a fine natu-
raj organ. Bass voices that are flexible
and musical throughout the range are
rare enough to make a voice like Mr.
WltherSpoonS, which possesses both
those qualities, exceedingly valuable
But in addition to these purely vocal
qualities the singer who entertained
ana delghCed a representative musical
gathering last night has the dramatic
temperament and the keen artistic in
teIlgence Which are demanded of the
modern singer, who aims at success on
the concert platform. The breadth of
MS musical culture was revealed in the
brlllIant programme he presented last
night, for he impressed it's literary
value as well as it's vocal value upon
his hearers.
Mr. Witherspoon's voice is capable
of very fine shades of expression. He
conveyed to the audience the fullest
meaning of such a delicate compost
ton as Edna r. Parks Memory"
and he as satisfactorily impressed it
with the splendid declamatory music
which Sidney Homer has written for
some words of Browning which he
calls 'PrOSpice." FOurS' sad bit of
melody, Mother O. Mine" and Albert
MackS Forever and a Day" revealed
the singers gift of expression in a
more Subdued style of work, and at the
conclusion Of each the audience paid
his art the tribute of a few seconds of
silence before it permitted its applause
to burst forth.
Strauss song, "Heimliche Aufforde-
rung," was one of the most dramatic
numbers on last nights programme
and it was splendidly sung. Mr.. With
erspoOn's voice is always admirably
controlled, his enunciatiOn is a delight
and his diction that of the appreciative
scholar.
He prefaced his programme last
night with a brief analysis of it.
Mrs. Francis Hoffman,, who played
the accomplishments, contributed her
full quota to the success of the recital.
The piano was always in thorough
sympathy with the voice, providing it
with the necessary support and giving
it, when necessary, the relief of con-
trast.
Mrs. Henry Downs and Mrs. Russell
r. DOrr gave an informal reception for
Mr.. WitherSpoon, and Miss Jessie
Ringen, of st. Louis, after the concert
last evening at the formers home on
Holly avenue.
The Bauer piano recital occurs at
the Park Congregational church this
evening, and promises to be one of the
best musical events OF the season. The
seat sale has been large. and the pres
ence of members of the Schubert club
as ushers on this occasion will add a
distinctly social flavor to the affair.
Bauer has been playing better than
ever before this season, and has been
accorded the most flattering receptions
wherever he has appeared. The au-
thOrity with which he plays, his keen
intelligence and the complete technical
equipment which he has made his own,
have all contributed to his success in a
marked degree.
The romantic drama when Knight
hood Was in Flower" with Roselle
Knott and the young romantic actor,
Charles Dalton, in the roles Of Mary
Tudor and Charles Brandon, will be-
Gin an engagement of four nights at
the Metropolitan opera house Sunday,
April II. There will be a matinee on
Wednesday.
Opera festival seats for the farewell
engagement of the Henry W. Savage
English Grand Opera company in St &,
Paul will be placed on sale at the box
office Monday morning. The company
returns from Minneapolis next Thurs
day, appearing for four performances
in Wagner's "Tannhauser'' and Verdfs ;
IL Trovatore." ~
One of the most entertaining per-
formances of the season is David
Harum," the dramatization of West
colts famous book at the Grand this
week.
"TIis Last Dollar" new play py
David Higgins. will be presented at
the Grand next week.
H.~ en
Fay Fosters company will give g.
matinee for ladies at the Star today.
The show is conceded to be one of the
best of the season and the PERFORM
ances have been very largely attended
during the week 4 Y.