The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-11-06
DELIGHTS IMMENSE AUDIENCE Cultured Music Lovers Fill
 JeffersOn-BaritOne
 Is in Fine Form

David Bispham, the famous baritone. son theatre yesterday afternoon and the audience that greeted him was one of the largest ever seen in this city. The first floor and the balcony weru filled and a half hundred persons found their way to the gallery.
 It was a fashionable as well as a responsive and discriminating assem- blaze, including as it did the flower of Birmingham society.
 The occasion was the initial attrac- ton of the series of matinee musicaies arranged by Mrs. Truman Aldrich. Sr. The body of the theatre was reserved for season ticket holders while the balcony seats were occupied by those who purchased tickets at the box off, flee.
 Mir Bispham was in the best of form. He was assisted by Harry M. Gilbert. pianist and the entertainment from beginning to end was refined and in every way delightful. All the songs were sung In English, which height oned the interest of course, and made the music the more appealing.
 This was the programme rendered:
 PART I.
 Songs, classical and modern, by for eigners.
 Hear Mel Ye Winds and Waves (Scipio)-G. l.. Handel.
 'I Attempt from Lovesickness to Fly H. Purcell.
 When Two That Love Are Parted"--
 I'm Roamer," (Son and Stranger)- r. Mendessohn.
 .erhe Evening Star" (Tannhauser)-- Richard Wagner.
 "when I Was Page" (Falstaff)-G. Verdi.
 "The Monotone"-P Cornelius.
 Caeciie"-Richard Strauss.
 Piano Solo-(a) "Serenade," Christian Sinding; (b) "En Route," Benjamin God ard-Harry M. Gilbert
 PART II.
 American compositions.
 "How Do I Love Thee," (Mrs. Brown ing)-Harriet Ware.
 Calm Be Thy Sleep" Tom Moore)- Louis Elbel.
 "The Seas wooing," (Carmen Sylva)- N. J. Elsenheimer.
 "rhe Song of the Shirt" (Tom Hood)- Sidney Homer
 
 Sicily" Uongfellow)-Rossite Coles.
 It was MT. Elephants first appearance in Birmingham. Those who had had the privilege of hearing him in other cities were glad to hear him again and those who had never heard him experienced Q distinctive revelation in vocal art. MT. Bispham illustrates in a. high degree the value of general culture, as well as mu- steamship in interpreting music of fine ,It Iz afaer ncrfr1 fnl nr q his comments were at once entertaining and Illuminating. He is a finished actor, too, and his dramatic power was often in evidence.
 Mr. Bispham gave a noble reading of the Handel number It was as classic as 1t was moving. And the recital throughout was marked by artistic viril- ity, poetic feeling and compelling sin cerity.
 The programme closed with splendid cantillation, but MT. Bispham made a gooC change when he substituted King Rob ert'' for Elaine" It was magnificent recitation.
 For encores MT. Bispham gave in in imitable style Sidney Homer's banic song written to the words of Miss Weeden's touching poem in negro dia lect; Danny Deever," music by Wal. ter Damrosch, and musical setting of Burns "Killicrankie.'
 MT. Gilbert accompanied MT Bis pham as only one artist can accom- pany another, and in his solo group was he well received. He was forced to respond to an encore.
 Although the recital was a little longer than the modern concert usual ly is, the audience remained rapt and seemed to regret when it came to an end.
 No series of musical entertainments could have opened more auspiciously and season subscribers will doubtless look forward eargerly to the next re- cital-Rudolph Gang, pianist, Decem- hor