Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1906-01-31
SUCCESSFUL SONG RECITAL.
FRANCIS ROGERS ENTERTAINS
AT EXECUTIVE HOUSE.
A Versatile Singer, Varied Program,
Enthusiastic Audience, Bril-
liant Social Affair
AN EVENINGS BENEFIT FOR
EMERGENCY HOSPITAL.

Never in the history of this Ancient
CITY was there a more brilliant or
appreciative audience than that which
met at the Executive Mansion last
evening to greet Mr. Francis Rogers.
of New YORK. A large proportion of
both town and Naval Academy people
were present and the combination of
beautiful gowns with the background
of the attractive rooms, was indeed
enough to inspire any artist. and sure
ly Mr.. Rogers was all one could de-
sire in au artistic sense
The proof of his magnetism was
the absolute quiet and attention given
him all through the program. AS to
the singer himself, his voice is one of
rare quality, of sweetness aud power,
with an unusual range. AMI he has
his voice in perfect control. His tech.
nique is good and his tone shading
exceedingly fine, Among the groups
he sung perhaps these that deserve
mcst praise in the rendering were
"Der Wanderer. by Schubert, of the
German songs Dune Prison, of the
French, by Il. Hahn, and 1.-The Invo-
cation to Sleep" by Tschaikowsky.
II is difficult to tell which of his
songs most pleased the ear, the artists
ing pleasure to both the native and
unframed ear. Indeed, the treat was
a rare one to all lovers Of music and
all went away with the feeling of
pleasure. Danny Deeyer. by Dam
rosch, ended delightful program,
which had been listened to with in
tense enjoyment and the public owe a
debt of thanks to thosewho gave them
this opportunity.
When it was first rumored that a
man was to give song recital aud
when it was later noised abroad that
Mr. Francis Rogers was to give an
evenings entertainment of vocal
music at the Executive Mansion, the
universal exclamation was: "What
Nobody else on the program ! One
person TO entertain whole evening
| think il would be monotonous. -
Anybody who had this opinion a few
weeks ago when the coming of Mr..
Rogers was announced, would not
admit il now after having heard him
sing last night. Mr.. Rogers cannot
only monopolize a whole program for
an entire evening, but he can do it
we'll, so we'll that his audience last
night would not have the slightest
objection to hear him every night in
the week, were such their coed for
tune and privilege.
1t was indeed privilege to have so
great, so noted and so versatile a man
come to Annapolis 10 sing, and for this
privilege the audience last night is
very much indebted to Mrs. Daniel II.
Randall, herself skilled aud cultured
musician, who conceived the idea of
enlisting Mr.. Rogers services, aud to
Governor aud Mrs. War6eld, who SO
generously and Hospitality offered their
home and the States home-the Gov
ernment House-for this purpose.
2rhe benefit is for the Emergency
Hospital and good sum was realized
for this most worthy local institution.
Nearly 300 tickets we're sold and the
large State parlor,. the blue drawing
room, the dining room aud a part of
the foyer at the Executive Mansion
were supplied with chairs, all of
which were occupied.
And the audience. What can be
sa id Of ii, for It was a potent factor
in the success of last nights song re.
cital. The audience included the
most distinguished and cultured peo-
pie in Annapolis and the Naval Acad.
envy There were rear admirals, and
commanders. captains and lieutenants.
surgeons and professors, besides there
were civilian educators and profes
sional men of note. The women who
| formed the larger part of the audience
numbered those well known to tht
musical and literary world. 1t was Q
society event and the gowns worn by
| the women were handsome and IL
many cases elaborate. The entire
affair was refined, elevating and
| eelipsed any entertainment given here
| for some time.
Mr.. Rogers piano accompanist, Mr.
Bruner HUM, is not to be forgotten
| He is q skilled pianist, and certainl,
a true accompanist in the best accept
| tation Of the term. Mr.. Roger
| brought his own piano, grand, anC
| its sweet tones manipulated by the
| man who knew his business, added t.
| the success of Mr.. Rogers song re
| citaI
of Mr. 1ogers, the famous baritone
| so much could be said, yet it would
not express his great gift OF voice, th'
| gift of one talent which he has mad'
| bv rare culture ten talents more, if no
| a hundred talents. He has a voice o
wonderful range He can sing th'
| $ oftest, sw weetest, mcst dulcet tone
when his voice glides sympatheticali,
over a love song or a lullaby, or ht
can sing with force. volume, strength
vet sweetness withal, when he sing
a hunters song or call to the hounds
| His program was varied and it showed
the versatility of the singer with ;
wonderfully sympathetic voice thai
| oaressed the notes of his song. Few
noted singers enuneiate well, but Mr.
Francis Rogers enunciates perfectly
Every word, every syllable can bl
distinctly heard to the farthest corner
Of the rooms where he sings. He sing
with expression, too. and is somewha
of an actor, indeed he is faultlesl
and pleasing as an entertainer of song
| He possesses a striking presence and
makes bis personality felt as soon a
| he enters the room. and no man knows
how to enter a room more Correctl,
| than he.
All these little things went tc
make mp the great and grand success
| of the greatest success in the way of |
musical entertainment ever gwen il
| Annapolis.
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