The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-04-29
FAMOUS OPERA
SINGERS ARRIVE
Belated Alta nta Train Brings
Artists and Orchestra for
Music Festival
VISITORS THRONC CITY
FOR OPENING NIGHT
Sale of Seats. Goes Merrily
on for Opening Perform
ance at City Audi
forum Tonight

Tired and travel-stained after the
ride from Atlanta, the famous prin-
cipals who will appear at the nine
teenth annual musical festival Of the
Wednesday Club tonigh. for the first
of three performances. arrived in
Richmond on belated train last night
and Immediately sought their rooms
at the new Jefferson hotel.
Nine. Louise Homer arrived here
earlier in the day. and on the late
train last night were Nine. Alma
Gluck, soprano; Ricardo Martin.
tenor; Karl Jorn. tenor: Clarence
Whitehill, baritone: Henri Scott,
hasso. and Efrem Zimbalist,, violinist.
With them was Josef Fasternack con-
ductor Of the Metropolitan Opera
House orchestra of fifty instrument
talists.
Hotels Arc Throngeti.
Upon the eve Of the $4,000 grand
opera aggregation the hotels felt the
volume OF travel directed here on ac-
count OF the music festival. There was
an unusually heavy demand last nigh,
Tor accommodation in addition to
reservations that have previously
been made by mail and wire.
Today's trains will add To the in
lux Of visitors and indications are
for vast audience tonight at the
City Auditorium.
With the chorus of 252 voices. d.
rected by Louis r. weitzel. the or
chestra OF fifty pieces and the COM
btned appearance here OF such q
galaxy OF the wo.d's greatest singers
the cost Of, the fssssival this year has
exceeded ali past efforts OF the We'd
nesday Club.
Heavy Sale of Seats.
Fox ONCE receipts are climbing
however. and there always are thronEn
of Related buyers who wait until the
u y believed these receipts win Justify
the expknSe.s -
This years attraction. in both point
Of numbers and In stars. chorus and
orchestra, far surpasses any musical
festival Of the past. 1t will prove
such rare event that strong de-
mand is anticipated at the box ONCE
today.
"A coterie of people acquainted with
some OF the famous Singers waited In
the lobby Of the new Jefferson last
night. but the principal participants
In the festival were eager for rest
and the opportunity to dine I'm their
own apartments
Homer Arrives Early.
Coming In advance OF the larger
party OF Metropolitan stars. Nine.
Louise Homer and her husband. Sid
ney Homer. the famous composer.
terdAy. They are occupying a suite
on the Franklin street front Of the
first floor.
As they sat on the balcony ad-
Joining their apartments. Mrs
Ho-~er. who was carefully wrapped
to protect herself from the cool air.
said she felt always at home In the
Soc-'H r~d she enjoyed the delightful
spring evenings.
we came out here to catch a
Eiimpse Of the moon'' she said, and
TO enjoy this delightful fresh air."
She was disappointed In the moon
however. for 1t shone on the other
side Of the hotel
"All over the South" she said, I'VE
have been treated royalty. ] was al
most afraid to engage in the many
functions accorded us In Atlanta. We
felt that II we continued there much
longer. we would leave our voices be-
hind. And then what would my Ave
children do?''
Thinking of the many thousands ne
received in royalties on his music. Mr.
Homer simply smiled. and aaid that
perhaps the children would be able
to scramble through life without un-
due worry.
speak Of Richmond.
I'VE are 30 glad to get near the END
Of our season." laid Mrs: Homer. for
I am dreadfully anxious to see the
months old daughter will be glad TO
see M"
.sThey tell me- said Mrs. Homer.
that Richmond IL rapidly becoming
the musical center Of the South. Al
matter OF fact. this n the only city
which has the privilege, II you choose.
Of hearing 20 many Of the Metropoli-
tan singers In its festival. Other cities
Get ore or two OF the stars and fTl
IN with othe- artists. but Richmond
he's most Of them.
Speaking from experience, I must
say the young SINGERS here wifi de-
rive much ~rofit from this festival /
know FROM my eerlv anxieties that
actual contact with the great singers
OF my dsv helped mo 70 achieve what
height hsve reached II my art.
Advi~c TO Singers.
II would like to saw to the young
pecisllv to those who expect to devote
thew life to tho STUDY OF the art, to
devote some OF their time under tho
guidance Of some great master. In
order to gain perfection. or a. near Il
70 possible this Il GENITAL. It 10 also
necessary to take daily lesosns. had
thre lessons . week under Koeni~
and Lherie. and 1t will be found al
r-~-t rereserrv TO have KNOWLEDGE
Of French, German and Italian. In or
der 10 ret close to tn. great masters.
TIA sir~er wishes to 70 into opera
he must alwAvs BE- prepared to meet
the onnortun,tv when II arrives. Don't