New-York tribune., 1905-02-26

to bring any such number Of singers
from New-York for the few concerts |
intended to give, and SO what to do about
The Intiammatus became a question
that had some of the inflamed quality sug-
gested by the title of the song
Finally, at the last minute, | bethought
me of choir singers in the churches of
the town, and with a hot Tulv sun beat
ing down upon me visited the ministers
They all were disposed favorably toward
my idea. since The InGammatus was
an inspired treatment in music of a holy
theme. The pastor OF the Episcopal Church
was particularly gracious He called in
his two daughters, clever and energetic
young women, who at once became so
enthusiastic over the project that they
volunteered to go out themselves, that
morning, and garner as many singers as
they knew
With fresh zest | made the rounds of
choir-masters, and called on singers my
self. 1t was hard work, but with the min
listers, choir-masters and the two young
women enlisted in it, we recruited in two
or three days fully hundred vocalists,
who were not only willing but anxious
to have part in the musical festival
Miss Juch and our choir singers gave
an impressive rendition of The In
flammatus. One might have thought
that this sOnorous piece of music, over
flowing with a solemn religious spirit,
would not have appealed to the gay
and worldly Saratoga throng; but 1t fell
on fallow ground. Each time it was given
the house rose to it, as if those people had
been thirsting, amid frivolities, for a note
of earnestness. | never have seen greater
enthusiasm. even in audiences of Ger
man or Italian musiC-lovers in New
York.
The program-maker does we'll to re-
member that the human intellect takes
an instructive JOY in contrasts. had
this in mind at Saratoga, with the result
that before our auditors had reverted to
their normal feelings, after having been
lifted out of themselves by the strength
OF The Infammatus, Rosalba Beecher,
a charming woman, would trip down to
the footlights and sing with exquisite
gaiety and grace a dainty little song
called NO. Sir" This was like the
joyous singing of a bird after thunder,
and the audience, released from its ten
sion, would sweep to Rosalba with an
avalanche of applause.
After the first concert Mrs. y. T. Stew
art sent her card to the stage, asking if
she could see Miss Beecher | escorted
the widow Of the millionaire merchant
to The singers dressing
Il can't tell you Miss Beecher,
said Mrs Stewart, how delighted
have been with your singing, and with
Yourself too. What | am going to say
may seem rather abrupt and odd from
one who IS a stranger to you, but | want
to know if YOU won't be my guest at
the Grand Union for the remainder Of
the summer | should like very much
to have YOU give song recital IN the big
parlors, for the benefit Of yourself. /
will be Your first Patroness.
This. of course, was highly compl-
mentarv to Miss Beecher, and she flushed
with pleasure But size was under con-
tract to 60 to Newport with the concert
company and 50 she turned to me with
a look OF inquiry.
Il won't stand IN your way IN this
opportunity, Miss Beecher, said quick
" You will have a delightful time here
as the guest of Mrs, Stewart, and your