Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1912-12-21

pham, Americas greatest baritone,
and never was a singer more royalty
received in this city.
The stage disclosed a setting Of soft
gray, with mounds Of Oregon-grape
at each side, from which arose tall
plants with many brillants poinsetta
blossoms Palms in green jars added
to the decorations; and when big
cluster Of cream roses was presented
TO Mr., Bispham and placed on the
grand piano, the delightful surround
ings received a finishing touch.
Mr. Blspham Is a great artist with
a glorious voice beyond criticism and
almost beyond description and he
stands supreme in his unique field.
His diction Is faultless and his inter-
pretations Incompatible, He possesses
all OF the many things which enter
into the great problem of interpreta-
tlon in singing; education, culture,
personal magnetism, idealism, and a
rational artistic and accurate vocal
training There was a charm and fas-
cinatlon about Mr.. Bispham together
with his magnificent voice that de-
manded encore after encore and called
for more Everyone was moved by
his slngularly intelligent interpreta-
tlons, to the sadness, the JOY, the pas
sion and the tenderness that he put
into his voice. He Is an exponent
Of the art Of singing in the language
peculiar to ones country. Although
his immense repertoire is sung in four
languages, his program for an Ameri-
can audience is always given In Eng
lish, and no other language is nearly
so satisfactory to an English speak.
ing people
Mr. Blspham introduces his songs
with descriptive remarks I'm a most
charming manner There was not the
least formality between singer and
audience, at any time Mr. Blspham's
remarkable personality brought him
very close to his listeners hearts
His magnificent pipe organ tones
were declared in the opening number,
"TIear Me, Ye Winds and Waves"
and a wonderful Interpretation was
given in 81 Attempt From Bovesick-
ness to Fly" a selection from Henry
Purcells opera of "The Indian Prin-
cess" Beyond comparison were the
transitions from lowest to highest
notes in the italian number, "When
Two That Love are Parted" The en-
core demanded was "Pretty Creature"
Storace and brought storm of ap-
plause. Most exquisitely sung in the
tenderest and finest of vocal notes
was the Scotch ballad a fairy tale,
tom the Rhymer." In extreme con-
trast was the comic selection, "I'm
Roamer," from the little opera of
"Son and Stranger" composed by T..
Mendelssohn when twelve years of
age, a rolllcking song with delightful
Interpretation. Although this number
was sung with great rapdity every
word was clearly enunclated.
"The Monotone" remarkable
production of Peter Cornelius, in
memory Of his mother, was splendidly
sung The tone of G., in three flats,
was used alone with wonderful varia-
tons of shading and modulations, to
the accompaniment carrying u little
song which made the whole a gem of
music, never before heard in Salem.
Again in contrast Mr. Bispham sang
"When | was Page" from Verdrs "Op-
era Of Falstaff," This was given with
splendid dramatic Interpretation and
the audience was not satisfied until
the number was repeated
Dividing the groups of songs, Mr..
Harry NJ Gilbert gave splendidly two
entirely different and most difficult
piano numbers, "Noctune" Cd flaO !
and "Rhapsodie' &C. maior), works Of
f. Chopin and D. Won Dohnayi No
thought Of criticism could be applied |
to his interpretations His technique
was perfect The audience enthus-
iastically called for encore, which was
n surprisingly clever bit Of left hand |
work. The selection was the sextette !
from Lucia de Lammamoor, and al |
though the right hand was at rest, not |
a note was missing. Mr., Gilberts |
accompanying was faultless and no
song could have been perfection with
out such splendid following Mr. Bis
phams second group of songs was
opened with a splendid rendition of
m American classic, "The Song OF
the Shirt" by Sidney Homer Most
to the audience was Robert
Burns tale OF the battle OF "Killick-
rankie" set to music by H. II, Wetz-
err and sung to piano imitation of
lag-pipos Here again, Mr. BIspham's
lramatic force brought to vivid re-
'ognition the braggodocio coward.
One Of the most beautifully given
'umbers was Louis Elbels setting to
0usic OF Thomas Mooros Calm BE
'hy sleep"
"Danuy npNVNr" Rudvard Kinlinp'a ]