The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1909-07-15
KIRK TOWNS IN RECITAL

An Evening Rich in Music OF tho
Character That Thrills and Salts
fies an Audience.
Kirk Towns, the noted baritone
singer, formerly of Sioux City, and
now of Berlin, Germany, sang him
self into the hearts OF an appreciative
audience at the city hall Tuesday
evening. While he was known to only
a few in the city he went away from
Mitchell carrying the praises and the
good feeling of every person who sat
beneath his influence and was moved
by his marvelously sweet voice. Mr.
Towns sang all his songs in groups
of three numbers and at the close Of
his fourth group he seemed as fresh
and his voice as vigorous as at the
beginning. 1t was a strong test to
maintain the same quality of tone
throughout the evening after giving
such heavy dramatic numbers, and
most of them were of that character.
Perhaps two of his best numbers
were .Traum durch die Daemmer-
ung'' by Strauss and "Der Steiger,"
by Kaun. In these the FULL merits Of
his voice were fully apparent-big
dramatic, round and full, with tones
that were sustained and complete
with resonance. His second group
were of the tighter character, and
were particularly pleasing. His last
number of the closing group was the
Toreador song from Carmen. We
have heard many interpretations of
this popular operate song. from the
amateur up to the professional, but
mons hat ever approached the inter-
probation that was given by Mr.. Towns
He sings 1t with such fire and ami
nation that the bull fight and the
arena are brought wildly to the
imagination of the listener, and that
is what makes ones Interpretation
successful. When Arthur Middleton
sang the Toreador at the May Festi-
val his Interpretation was wholly diff
ferent and it did not bring to mind the
action that the song really describes.
Mr.. Towns has a very pleasing person
atty and an audience cannot help but
fall in sympathy with his singing. His
anxiety to please is evident and that
puts him on easy footing with hfA
audience. }Ai III I'll VI = ~
Percy Fullinwider and Clarence
LOOMS assisted Mr.. Towns during
the evening with violin and piano
solos. Mr.. F%ullinwider played Haydn's
Sonata with the andante and allegro
movements, and also a group select
ion of three numbers. The sonata was
a big number and he rendered it with
the taste and skill for which he is
noted. His group number contained
some charming selections, that re-
ceived the heartiest appreciation from
the audience. ~
Clarence Loomis was heard in two
piano solos, both of which were pre-
scented in faultless style by this splend
id young pianist. He first gave a Mem
delssohn number, and then played
LISTS Rhapsodie H%ongroise, the lat
ter being an exceptionally difficult sell
e%ction, but the young man handled it
skillfully. 1t is a delight to hear him
play and he was given a very strong
endorsement. He played the accom-
paniments of the evening in faultless
style.
Mr.. Towns c~omplimented both high
ly for their part Of the entertainment
and he felt highly gratifed that he
was able to ecure the assistance Of
two such excellent artists.
It is to be regretted that there a
not a larger audience at the concert,
for it was worthy of the patronage Of
an audience that would fill the city
hall. Mr.. Towns appreciated the e a
son as not being the best for concert
work, but he assured The Republic
can that If he came this way again he
would not miss the opportunity to
pay Mitchell another visit.
The remarkable power and beauty
of tone of the Ellington Parlor Grand
piano, which the r. e. Hardie Piano
Co. furnished added materially to-
the artistic excellence Of the program.
Dressed For che Part.
What subject have you taken for
your address at the Civic club?",
"Woman's moral obligations AZ :
citizen"
what n lovely subject! And what
are you going to wear??"
THAT rev gown brought home
with IN :-.#.s Paris. And iust think. Sss