The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1905-01-16
RUSSIA A NATION OF SINGERS.
Sig. Albert Describes the Music of
His Own Country.

Signor Achille Albert, the dashing'
baritone of the Mantelli operate Com
a splendid artist, but most pleasing
gentleman and interesting converse
tionalist as we'll In his worldwide
travels he has been very observing of
the peculiar ties and attractions of
each country through which he has
journeyed.
In an entertaining talk anent the
Russian Japanese conflict, Signor AL
BERT threw an interesting sidelight on
the Russian character and country.
While Japan is a delightful country
and the people highly advonced in
many of the arts, the Land of the
Chrysanthemums is far behind Russia
i'm the matter of music" said Signor
Alberti Russia has the influence
deep in her soul. The list of great mu
sicians and composers in Russia is
larger than England's. The orchestras
of ST. Petersburg and Moscow, which
1 have had the great joy of listening to
many times, are the greatest east of
! Dresden"
Choral Societies.
And Russia is nation of singers
continued the signor
Each town has it's choral societies.
The housewife, preparing the evening
meal, stings; the farmer, blowing in
the field, sings at the top of mis- voice;
troops on the march, sing. We have
all read frequently of the Russian
soldiers on their cold, dreary marches,
or on the eve of battle, joining in the
popular songs of their country. Along
the line of the great Trans Siberian
railway there are 5000 miles of singing
guards.
"A few years back, 1 watched one
day a regiment at drill in front of the
cars winter palace. Finally the SOL
diers massed, there was an impressive
silence and then a thousand voices be-
gan singing the Russian national
hymn. Until one has heard that grand
composition sung by Russian regi-
ment of soldiers one has never fully
comprehended it's musical possibilities;
never understood how it inspires en-
thusiasm, love of God, car kin and
country. 1t was magnificent I shall
never forget it," sighed the handsome
baritone.
Singing of Priests.
You have probably noticed that
nearly all travellers write of Holy Rus
STA, ever praying, ever advancing, ever
singing. 1 went one day to a monas-
terry near Moscow to hear the singing
of hundred black-robed priests of
which friend of mine had been very
enthusiastic. The grandest cathedral
organ never produced music that pos
sessed such sympathy, such majecty.
such power and. sweetness as did that
choir. l sat with closed eyes and list
ened until the last sweet strains had
died away. and then would have given
a year of my life to have listened to it
over again. Musical authorities. Won
know, agree that the greatest relig-
iious music in the world is to be heard
in Russian churches. The cathedral
singers include the most wonderful
bass voices-virile voices that seem
purified an beautiful by lives of relie-
ious devotion and spiritual feeling.
The Effect.
The effect of all this music upon
the character of Russians is seen in tn.
emotional side OF their nature. hav-
ing its concrete form in a ready sv,n-
pathy that bids them together as one
family, each for the all and all for
each"
private life Albert is the hus-
band OF Mime. Helene Noldi. the IN.
prano of Mr.. Bordon's galaxy Of sr.nd
opera stars