The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1905-05-03

It is seldom that city of Astoria's
size can have an opportunity to wit
ness anything to equal the work OF Mr..
]. Adrian Eppins. the noted baritone,
and his associates, who rendered an
lunusulally strong program at Fishers
opera house last night 1t Is 10 be re-
gretted that a larger audience could
not have witnessed the performance.
thus giving additional encouragement
for another concert at an early date.
What the audience lacked in num-
bers, however was made up by the
enthusiasm which was manifest and
in turn by the absolute stiffness which
prevailed, Seldom has II been the
writer's privilege to see so thorough
| ly cosmopolitan audience, so fully APP
precitative Of the various features OF
a program.
The four numbers rendered by Mr.,
Epping at the beginning showed an
Exceptionally wide range OF his work.
while the prologue from Pagliacci held
the audience spellbound. His rendi-
ton Of the dual vocal work from
CavallerIa Rusticana later in the even
ing certainly was never equaled here.
1t was the splendnd showing which
Mr. Epping made in this number with
Miss Fowler which caused exception
al applause to be given him. prelimi-
nary to the rendering Of his final num-
bers. Their can be no question that
while much had been said in favor OF
Mr.. Epplng before the concert the
best that was said. was none too good,
Mr.. VIM. M. Rasmus, who was not
quite so well known TO Astorians, cer-
tainly made good. a few Of the old
timers In this section of the state may
remember lin as one Of the prime fac
tors In winning President McKlnley's
first campaign That he should have
helped Mr. Epping win last nights
audience. Few who attended would
|, have missed his rendition Of "The Soul
! OF the Violin" Is there music In In
r animate things? Who can doubt II
0 THAT followed Mr.. Rasmus, step by
lstep. Through that pantomimic pro-
Iduction OF music out Of nothing. Lips
hung breathless on his every WORD
ears were turned to catch every sound
! One could almost hear string aftel
( string break on that good old violin
Few who would not have sworn thes
Ismelled that first rose at Berlin anc
lthen saw its petals fall from the vio'
lin. But then what's the use? Wore
pictures cannot do Justice to Mr.. Ras-
linus work. You must have been ther'
Ito drink in the pathos Of this number
IAN. and that Shamus o'Brien tina
followed as encore. Did you see hin
: Igo to prison? Did you visit him Their
Land find hi mready to die the martyr
Ildeath as a man? Did you follow hin
Ito the gallows and then did you no
| tice the priest cut him free, and d
Iyou see him escape? No? But thel
| you were not there to witness MI
Rasmus.
II And then did you laugh, just witt
IIlaughter az that other number OF his
| substituted for the more serious Mar
Gus plea? If you were there you mus
have laughed at that excellent COO
rendition Of Higher Culture In Dix
ie."
| Miss Reatha Fowler has splendi
! soprano roice and evoked much ap
plause with her solo work and In tn
duet with Mr.. Epping. Among the SO
los Loves the Peddler" was an ur
usually happy selection.
Miss Mollie Reynolds, the accom-
panyist, rendered pino solo whic
was heartily applaudei. She respond
ed with good number. 1t is eel
tain that the next concert to be ne
under the direction Of Mr.. Epping VI