The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-02-01

was scored by Master Albert Hole, a boy soprano, who has as lovely boy voice as has been heard here in many years. and who sings with the confidence, the boise, the taste, and the artistic under standing of mature artist. His work was a delight and captivated the entire audience"
 We were unkind enough after Master Hole had captured the honors of the even- ing to look inquiringly at our friend, the future prima donna,' and ask her, If. after all. with the years of work that lay ahead of her. etc.. etc.-ahem"
 When the smoke cleared away the sense of the meeting was that we had all been shown "our place. and honors were easy.
 Chicago has had to doff its somewhat rakish cap to staid old Boston for opera. The newly established Boston Opera company has played two-weeks' season here. and has succeeded in showing the "westerners'' just how real opera should be given. Hitherto operatic performances in this country have been based upon the star" system. and after the salary list was met there was nothing left for seen cry, orchestra or even adequate presen- tations of the older Italian operas which could be sighted with impunity so long as there was a high-priced soprano, whose name would attract.
 Director Russell of the Boston opera has realized that breaking away from existing traditions and blazing pathway of his own was the vital point, and ensemble" rather than the exploitation of a particular singer has been the bul- wark upon which he has built his suc- cess. So great has been the enthusiasm, and so cordially has MT. Russelrs opera been received here, that not an unsold seat was seen in the vast auditorium at the last three performances. and the Chi- cago papers were unstinted in their praise and commented upon the fact that the audiences had so fully absorbed the new idea that the very style of con- versation in the foyers had changed, peo- pie talking on every hand of Lucia" and La Boheme," rather than of Lipkow- ska. Neilsen, Boninsegna or Constantine.
 Besides the piano recital and the opera I have heard a number of miscellaneous concerts, Schumann-Heink and Kreisler, the violinist, among the number.
 And, of course, have heard the Thom- as orchestra MT. Stock evidently thought this a good month to produce novelties, as for the last three concerts the sym phonies have been modern, and in two in- stances new. MT. Stock presented his own recently completed symphony and scored quite a success, both with his audience and the press. What a satisfaction 1t must be to composer to have virtuoso orchestra at his command, and be able to "try out his new ideas at will
 A symphony by French composer. Chausson. was also presented. and is a beautiful example of the modern French school.
 At the next concert MT. George W. Chadwick cheerfully conducting his own set of symphonic sketches" seemed very 'comfy'' and "robustious." His sketches were interesting and the men played them beautifully and altogether 1t was easy to see that the visiting conductor-composer was enjoying himself hugely. He has a debonnair fashion of batting his left foot vigorously when he wishes a strongly marked rhythm, that was sufficient un- conventional to cause keen delight to the more frivolous souls in the audience Be- ing from the country. was trying to look like high brow,' so 1t was great re- lief when the I'll. B." next to me lowered her brows and snickered behind her pro- gramme. I only allowed myself a sickly grin, but even that was comfort in such d time of stress.
 AS you see, between concert-going, les- sons and the little stunts I have sallied forth and done myself. there has been no time for anything else, but 1t has all been most interesting from the students stand point.