The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-05-09
SINGERS DELIGHT
LARGE AUDIENCES
Brilliancc Of Concerts by Wednes-
day Club Arousing General
Comment This Year.
ny ERNEST II. COSBY.

Inc lnlTu concert IN the present sea-
sons festival was given by the We'd
nesday Club last night, and for two
hours and half the Academy was filed
with sweet sound. The program was
popular in character, and even the
liumblest lover of music could not say
that the strains were beyond his power
OF enjoyment The audience was
larger than at the first concert in the
series. and the applause that greeted
the club artists and orchestra proved
that the many numbers on the long
program were both carefully selected
and we'll rendered
Work of Nine. Douton.
The concert opened with festival
overture by Lassen, which was played
in most admirable manner under the
direction Of Professor Emil Mollen-
hauer. Following this the artists OF
the evening each contributed group
OF selections, the first one being given
by Madame Isabelle Bouton, who is a
great favorite with Richmond au-
diences. having appeared in several OF
the clubs festivals In recent years
Nine. Bouton sang three charming
numbers. varied In style, and pleasing
In character.
The thunderous applause that greeted
her necessitated an encore and she
sang most exquisitely a delightful little
NANNY song" pickaninny lullaby,
which went down deep into the hearts
of many. Nine. Bouton's work Is that
of true artist: she feels what she
sings. is what she sings. and. best of
all, makes her hearers feel the music
as she feels H. Her rich voice and
perfect control make II pleasure to
listen to her. and her interpretations.
even IN the lesser numbers. plainly
show the artistic value which may be
impaired to such pieces.
Mr.. Carl Webster was heard to adj
vantage in two solos for voloncello.
accompanied by the orchestra, THE first
being the second movement from the
Saint saens Concerto" and the second
a "Tarantele." by Pepper. Mr. Web
ster's work was greatly enjoyed, the
,arantale having especially pleased
tho hearers His execution in this was
so light and delicate that it was almost
impossible to think that such tones
could come from an instrument appar-
entity SO unwieldy.
Responding to a hearty encore he
PLAYED Schubert's Ave Maria" with
an accompaniment by the harp alone.
This quiet. simple melody was played
with deep feeling. and made an admir-
able number for the cello. which is
especially adapted to works Of this
character.
Ovation for Mr.. Hnhr.
The tenor OF the evening was Mr..
John Barnes Wells. who sang here at
Holy Trinity Church on Good Friday
night A very pleasing feature of his
work was the Song Of the Heart"
which was composed by our own gift
ed townsman. Mr.. Fred. C. Hair. at
the conclusion of this number. in re-
Spouse to most liberal applause lasting
several minutes. the conductor pointed
to the composer, who was seated III
the audience. and Mr.. Hair was kept
on his feet for several minutes bowling
his acknowled gments in all drections.
Mr.. Wells sang two more songs In
this group. and was forced to respond
with an encore number. His work
was excellent, his voice being tenor
of a particularly pleasing quality.
Miss Josephine Knight made her first
appearance before Richmond audi
ence singing with great effect tho
ever popular "Polonaise," from Mig
non" by Thomas. This number de-
nands coloratura voice for its prop
er presentation, and such a voice is
Miss knights. clear, bright and ex-
ceedingly flexible. Her execution In
this number left nothing to be desired,
and she was recalled repeatedly until
Sne5 gaQQeQ an encore NUM-
The orchestra next contributed sew
er al very charming and delicate num-
bers as we'll as the well-known Peer
Gynt Suite by Grieg. One fact that
deserves especial emphasis is that
throughout the series of concerts the
orchestra has accompanied most al
lnirably. supporting the singers where
necessary, but never drowning the
voices
This Important factor can hardly be over
estimated in the work Of , any ganizaton
ne nj conductors seem to overlook an item
of so great Importance, and allow the in
strpmens TO drown out the voices Oh Mr..
respect
Doing Great Work.
The concluding numberof the program
was Goring Thomas's Cantata. "'rhe Sun
of this short, but beautiful and effective
work. This number was directed by Dr.,
,nesday Club, and the careful training which
he has been doing throughout the season
was evidenced by the splendid work OF the
ghe wednesday CLUB is aoinr w sreat
work. and deserves the hearty support OF
every music lover in this community. The
overestimated, and every seat in the Aead-
envy ought to be filled at the remaining con-
ccrts in the series.
Work of the Children.
Fully sustaining the reputation 1t
has always held OF being one Of the
chief attractions of the Wednesday
Clubs performance, the chldren's
chorus delighted large audience at
the "children's matinee" at the Acade-
my yesterday afternoon with what was
perhaps the most difficult program 1t
has ever sung. The children entered
into the spirit Of the music wonder
fully and though they sung all the
parts without the music or the words
before them there was not the slight
est hitch in their performance. Too
much credit cannot be given to Mr.,
Walter G. Mercer, who led the CHORUS
and to whose training is largely due
the. great success Of the children.
Aside from the fact that the chill
loyable features OF the "Wednesday
Clubs concerts, great deal of In
terest Is taken In It, because MS mn
sicians are unanimous In saying, 1t. is
the best method OF perpetuating tile
Ger and others interested in The oon-
icerts point to the fact that children
51-S 6s4t it as 5tta Wy #5