The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1910-07-31
rhr Hufstader-Lester Recital.

The Hufstader-Lester Recital.
In this section of the country, and
TO anyone who knows Keokuk at all,
the unfailing allegiance and stauRch
LOYALTY OF her people to each other Is
nv word among men.
One Of the finest expositions of this
feeling Of fidelity was given last
Thursday evening at the Y. M. G. A..
auditorium, when Mr.. Robert Cary
Hufstader, tenor, and Mr.. William
Lester, pianist, gave an invitation
musicale to as many Of their friends
as could be accommodated in the spac-
ious room.
The two artists had arranged a
program that has never been sur
passed in Keokuk, indeed has rarely
been equaled here. and in the working
out thereof. gave the best there was in
them And this best was revelation
to the large and critical audience as
sembled.
The work of Mr.. Robert Cary HUFF
stader has been much enjoyed and ap-
preciated in Keokuk ever since he
came here about q year ago to as
sumo the responsible duties of secre-
ldly I'll Liz Why IL. wi. ". IA
He possesses voice, which, while
II would be classed In the tenor cate
CORY, still partakes Of the richness
and cello like quality of the baritone !;
is Of exceptional beauty and purity
and has that indefinable something
that appeals to and touches every
heart Technically. it is a we'll train
ed and grandly controlled organ. Mr..
Hufstader having studied extensively
under some of the best known teach
ers such as Charles A. White Of New
York whitney and others of Boston
Combined with power of forte ex
preston rarely found in tenor, he
has wonderful control of pianissimc
work his covered tones being some
thing to be remembered"
Before coming to Keokuk, Mr.. Hufs
tader held important and prominent
church positions in eastern cities
Since his arrival in Keokuk he has
taken prominent place in the activ
tiles of the Monday Music club, and ir
the musical work of the various
churches.
In addition to his musical powers
Mr.. Hufstader has been the efficient
and popular secretary of the Y. M. G
A., and he possesses the power o.
making and keeping friends to such
a degree that his resignation from
that responsible post is keenly felt al
a personal loss throughout the city.
OF his work last Thursday evening
too much good cannot be said. In the
Songs of the Norseland' by Lohr
the singer displayed his powers Of ex
tended and dramatic vocalism. as vel
as his true musical feeling The sec
ond group Of songs was devoted tt
the all loved classics, and helped tt
display another side Of the artist!
work. The low pianissimo passage,
of the Brahms immortal "Wiegenlied'
were sung and phrased exquisitely
while the ensuing Still vie di,
Nacht" of Carl BONN was sung will
wonderful depth and display Of dra
matte expression. A marked feature
Of this Interpretation was the beau
ty OF the long cantabile passages. Thu
ever welcome Schubert "Serenade
and the brilliant Celeste Aida 0
Verdi which followed were sung II
keeping with the high artistry show
in the songs before.
Mr.. Hufstader's final appearance
was in group of songs composed b.
William Lester to poems by sever
teenth century English poet, Rober
Herrick. In these five songs. whicl
here received their first public hear
ing, the vocalist entered fully into tn
old rose spirit Of daintiness and &C
quetry that emanated both from tn
words and music of the compositions
and in these rococco mood poems dit
played new beauty of tone and fee
ing that was intimately welcome
Mr. William Lester, who appeare
In the triple role Of pianist, accom-