The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-06-20
FRANKL|NLAWSON
LIKES OUR MUSIC
Famous Tenor Declares That
True Musical Public Is
Found in South.
S Hows GREAT PROGRESS
Impressions by Expert Highly
Complimentary to the
Local Chorus.

Richmond's musical public will BE
pleased to learn of the many complf-
mentary references to Southern musi-
cal progress, based upon his recent
tour, by Franklin lawson. in the cur
rent number OF one of the leading
music periodicals.. Especial interest
for people here Is contained in the ar
ticle, for it was Dr. Lawson who took
the tenor part in the last festival OF
the Wednesday Club in April, and he
includes Richmond and the musical Z
activities of the city in his remarks,
which are condensed to generalities.
Richmond was the most important city
that DR.. Lawson visited on his recent
tour. DR.. Lawson is not only one of
the most famous American tenors, but
musicai critic and teacher of first
rank and ability.
one of the things that impressed him
most was the up-to-date hotels that
he ran across in the south. 1t is We'll
known that, outside OF Florida, Rich
mond Is superior to all other Southern
cities in the matter of hotel accom-
modations, and SO what Dr. Lawson
says in this connection may be taken
to refer most complementary to Rich
mond:
THE hotels We're among the things
that most attracted my attention. You
know that to the artist. nothing IS
ID
modations, for a singers voice Is much
Influenced by the artists physical con-
dition. and one cannot sing we'll II he
has had sleepless nights and poor
meals. Even in the smaller towns con.
ditions have improved inlmeasurably..
Boosting the Chorus.
The chorus of the "Wednesday Club
will surely be pleased at what DR.. Law
| son says about local choruses:
"They are larger and the tonal re-
suits better than formerly, and the
| tor or mo n IL
1 cal ability and knowledge. While the
South is a large country, and has not
had opportunity to get the best , voice &c
that the average is as high as that of
any other section in America. Judge
from the voices that We're brought to
me for examination. | heard many
/ fine voices that gave promises of really
a excellent results. The Northern man
ager will do well to watch the South.
for some time in the future he VIII be
getting singers there
That the true musical public is In the
South is a bold statement for man
as high UP In musical circles as DIR.
Lawson to make, but that is Just what
he says. His remarks as to the hearty
applause given by Southerners by way
of appreciation of good music are SIM
| gularly opportune for so unresponsive
Were the audiences at the Boston
/ Opera House last winter that corps
/ of professional applauders are to be
hired for the coming season, known as
a "claque."
Mnsfcnl Progress.
Here Is what DR.. Lawson says about
Southern musical progress and the
Equality of Southern musical taste:
TN enthusiasm for music found
the greatest changes. ] have often
felt that our true musical public was
In the South. In the North here we.
as listeners TO music. may be com
petent, but we are cold skeptical-.we
have to be shown. In the South they
are quicker to appreciate the true
value of the artist and ready to give
their approval They do not applaud
politely In bored manner: they greet
the artist with vociferous applause.
and when they like thing insist on
numerous encores
THE taste has advanced. too Now
nothing but the best is good enough
Tor a Southern audience. and woe;
unto the man who imagines he must
sing down TO their taste. must give
them something popular. 1t is true
that at present the popilar demand is
is due rather to environment, the cli-
matte conditions which have produced
a public similar in It's operate tastes
to the Italian public. but broader in
It's desire to hear operatic works OF
Germany and France as we'll 1t is the
that they wish now. but l think that,
as the years go by they will demand
the best In other FORMS
These festival concerts attracted
great crowds. and possibly the greater
number of those In attendance came
from surrounding smaller towns. The
railroads ran excursions and the con-
cert tours took on the appearance of,
festivity. When they do a thing In
Il the South they do 1T heart and soul.
and the great audiences and the COR.
dial applause are stimulating"