The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1909-05-26
MASTER singer
THRILLS FARGOANS
DAVID sIsPHAM, IN INSPIRING
PROGRAMME, PROVES A FIT
TING CLIMAX TO MAY MUSIC
FEsTlvAL--REcITAL or PoE's
RAVEN SIMPLY EXQUISITE.


David Bispham, hero among men.
and a prince among singers, ''the
master singer" as ne is styled by the
critics OF recognized authority, APP
peared in Fargo last night in song
recital at the First Baptist church.
Mr.. Bispham's recital gloriously clos
ed the annual festival of the Fargo
College Conservatory of Music. A
singer whom the audience wants to
hear more than two hours must be
an artist Of the first rank, for even
the most pleasing of vocal stars do
not always emerge as triumphantly
from the test of programme of
songs as does Mr.. Bispham. Last
night 'the head of American trouba-
dours" demonstrated one undeniable
fact-he is a programme maker Of
the first water. To many in the au-
dience, three groups of songs, classics,
English and Scotch ballads served
simply to whet their appetites, the
| programme could have been multi
piled by three and they would not
have had too mucn of Mr.. Bispham.
He is pre- -eminently a ballad singer.
In his interpretations there is a sub
! tie dramatic force and in every num-
| Der in his programme he demonstrat-
ed the splendid discipline he himself.
| has subjected himself to- for the pro-
duction of the best results. His pose
and facial expression were true in
dexes to the sentiment of what he
was going to sing.
An Admirable Rendition.
He opened his programme with a
composition by Handel, Where'er You
Walk, and that was followed by an
other beautifully rendered classic by
Haydn, Behold Along the Dswy
Grass, from The Seasons. The ex-
planation of the theme of the next
number was highly appreciated by the
uniformed. The Frost King, from
King Arthur. by Purcell, and how per-
fectly did ne portray the shivering
notes, one almost felt the, biting
blasts, he was so real and true in his
expression. That old favorite, Down
Among the Dead Men, was greatly
enjoyed.
BY his ballads will Bispham be re-
membered. Where he has brought
together SO. wonderful a collection is
quandry.- The powerful, horrible
Il
Little sBillee, were remarkably well
sung and disclosed the exceptional
talents of the eminent baritone. His
programme was as various as it could
possibly be and yet he was superb in
each. Some of his selections are fav-
orites with young singers to show
range, but Mr.. Bispham made one for
get that there was a wide range al
ALL He made his work appear sc
simple that any beginner could steI
right out and master 1t. 1t was this
very thing that showed the genius oi
the man. Bispham is Bispham still
and it will be a long time before Far
goans will forget his fascinating per.
sonality, his dramatic force, magnih.
cent manner, land unimitable style.
Artist at His Best.
Z feature Of Mr. Bispham's pro.
grammes this season that has proven
extremely popular has been his recita.
ton of Poe's The Raven, to musica
setting by Arthur Bergh. Having
heard and read so much of this tn,
ianticipations last night were at
high pitch. The artist sat in mas
Isive arm chair, just as though HI
was telling story, so natural was he
and it seemed as if the ghostly scenes
he called up were actually passing
before the audience The Illusion wa
perfect as mis- flexible voice rose AM
fell. His hearers heard the knocking
at the door, the rustling of the cur
tain, and the ravens hoarse croak an
were sensible of the presence of tn
seraphim and the anguish of a los
soul
Mr.. Bispham was ably accompanie,
by Harold Osborn Smith, really h
was assisted, for to vary the pro
gramme still more, Mr. Smith contrib
uted Chopin's Polonaise, A fiat major
The player was recalled and gracefull
responded with very dainty selection