The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-05-03
WEDNESDAY, CLUB
ASSURES OPERA
CONTINUED from First Page.)

tN|NtbE Lib III ac All WHO
given in excellent style, and the finale /
was really supefbly sung.
The plaudits that greeted the |
Faust" music demonstrated that
Gounod is still deemed worthy of /
consideration in Richmond, at least, |
even In this day of Strauss, Elgar, |
Puccini and Debussy.
Mme. Chuck. Ricardo Martin and |
Herbert Witherspoon sang the fami- |
liar music gIorionsly, and were repaid /!
with applause sincere as it was
hearty. Under the circumstances 1t |
was not surprising that they sang as
II their souls were In their work.
Nine. G1uck won the admiration of
the men from the start and captured
The hearts of the women by her I'M !
affected, charming manner -
Isn't she sweet isn't she just too
sweet for anything" Was the verdict
OF the feminine portion OF the au-
dience and the men quite agreed.
Ricardo Martin, kentucky born
. and proud of 1t. Is singer of whom
his countrymen may well be proud.
Martin "a Grand Tenor.
Mr.. Martin may not possess the
clarion tones OF Caruso. but he has
rare voice and, unlike the italian. isf
not unduly aware of the fact. lie
is swarthy. not tall--if anything.
under medium height. but he pos
sesses a pair Of shoulders which de-
note good lung capacity. His tone is
pure and he is not obliged 10 force his
voice to obtain dramatic effect. and
MIR, Martin is essentially a dramatic
tenor
In the duct from Faust" with
Nine. Chuck he did not attempt TO
dominate, the voices of the singers
blending beautlfully--an artistic
piece of work which was appreciated
accordingly.
CAR song royalty. He also gave the
knocking seranade OF Mephistopheles
with telling effect.
But the hit Of the evening" was
the singing of the King of Thule"
ballad and the jewel song by Nine
Gluck. The house fairly rocked with
applause and Nine Giuck may Wen
be said To have sung divinely.
In the famous trio the three singers
stirred the audience beyond measure.
Orchestra and chorus rose To the oc-
casion and the finale was greeted with
Il burst Of applause long sustained and
richly deserved
An hour was devoted TO the Faust"
music and following the intermissson
the orchestra gave the wonderful.
eerie. dream-music from ''Hansel and
Gretel."
A group of three songs by Mn.
Gluck came next---Schindlers' La
Columbia and two in English. Cad
mans From the Land or the Sky
Blue Water" and Parker's The Lark
Now Leaves His Natery Nest" The
audience refused TO let Nine. Gluck
retire until she had responded with
Two encore pieces. IA Scotch son- and
pretty little bit VIII % the Wfsp."
-s<A afa. COZ - r
songs. Mother o. Mine by Tours;
Alton Water" and catchy old Irish
song. For all encore he sang. My
old Black Mare" and won deserved
applause
Martin scores Triumph
Riceardo Martin then sang the aria
Che Gelida Mamma" from Puecini's
La Bohenc.' He had sung the
sugary Faust" music fittingly. but
In the more dramatic Paecsni number
he scored a yeritable triumph. lie
was obliged TO return and gave an
other dramatic number In fau,tless
style, an aria from Tosea-''
The orchestra brought the concert
and festival to d close with Tschatkow-
sky's Slavic march. o most reafistic
fbarbaric" number In which the Rus
sian national melody bears prom
inent part Conductor Pasfernack
passed the applause 10 the orchestra.
II was q superb piece Of work and
people as they passed ciit were heard
to say that the Tschaikowsky piece
alone was worth their coming.
Nine. Gi.ick's Grace.
Now the story n the festival wcHld
not he complete without noting a
graceful act On the pari OF Nine.
Chuck The chorus had delighted in
h. rEy ~IsaF. 10
in front The singers had applauded
her enthusiastically. SO when she had
received tremendous salvo at the
conclusion Of The Land Of the Sky
Rlas Water she turned to the chorus
and sung If over to thvm, for them,
Small wonder Nine Glnck Is adored
The auditorium Was crowded at
the evening concert and al the matt
nee there We're few vacant seats. The
program. toe. was. II anything. tite
most ambitious of the trio Of CON
certs.
4. ssa- The Matinee Concert - -
The orchestra gave the override
lightfui FRA Diavolo" overture in rare
style. The Auber masterpiece is one
thai appeals Iaat ss7as 10 ears that find
pleasure In so-calied popular music.
bat to- those who have learned ~ re-
Aaih Esf @uSS Nthti ga
Nor.
one docs not applaud Fra Dia tolo''
merely as a matter OF good form and
ono need not fear To praise IL in the
presence of the most advanced musi-
cal authorities 1T Is Il gem and ii
Was given almost a perfect setting by
Mr. Pasternack's musicians Tuesday
afternoon.
Amato displayed his grand voice In
selection from Rossinis Barber. .
Ills nexibility Of tone WAS marvellous
and he sang with animation. almost
dramatic. at times. quite In contrast
to his former concert like attitude.
He refused to respond To the demand
for more.
Came next Miss Florence Wiekham
contraito, with beautiful voice and
an assured manner. Miss Wickham
needed no spotlight TO stand forth
conspicuous Her beauty isS of gen.
erous proportions, yet most symmet-
ricaA Moreover, she wore large ear
ornaments. picture hat and smile
that won the hearts of all.
She sang the 'Habanera' from
Carmen and was charmed to give
an encore, an aria from Samson and
Delilah." popularity known My Heart
at Thy Dear Voice."
1+ Two large bouquets Of American
beauties betokenea that some friends
had not forgotten this tribute SO much
appreciated by singers.
"konigskinder" Is Heard.