Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1912-11-19
DAVID B|SPHAM
IN CONCERT
Distinguished Baritone Singer Opens
W. H. Cook Series Of Con-
certs for Present
Season.
AT THE ARMoRY OPERA HOUSE
Harry M. Gilbert, who Accompanies
Mr.. Bispham, Gives Splendid
Piano Solos.

pham, the great baritone singer, at
the armory opera house Friday eV-
.ening, marks the successful opening
Of the series of high-class musicals
to be given during the present sea-
son under charge of w. H. Cook. Mr..
Bispham was assisted by Harry M.
Gilbert, pianist and accompanist.
Not all pianists are accompanies
and fewer accompanies are pianists,
but Mr.. Gilbert is at home in either
role
Mr.. Bispham's description of each
song he sang was very interesting.
His program was made up of two
groups of songs, the first part being.
devoted to classical and modern
songs by foreign composers, and the
second part was composed of recent
compositions by American authors.
The vocalist gave quite talk be-
fore beginning his musical numbers
in which he roundly criticised the
practice of vocalists in singing their
compositions in foreign languages
before American audiences. The
great baritone said that it was very
foolish to express the sentiments OF
song in language which an audi
ence did not understand and charac-
terized such performances as non
sense. The idea advanced from some
quarters that certain compositions
could not be clearly expressed in
English was ridiculed by Mr.. Bis
pham. The audience was evidently
in accord with the remarks of the
speaker and heartily applauded the
sentiment. 1t not only appealed to
his auditors but they were evidently
greatly pleased to hear man OF Mr.
Bisphams high standing in the
world of art give voice to such SEN
timents.
While Mr.. Bispham is strong ad-
yocate OF the use of English on both
the operate and concert stage, he
also appreciates the meritorious eff
forts Of modern American musicians.
The idea that all the real artists are
from foreign countries is fallacious
one and while he would not under
estimate the works of the old mas
tiers he says many Americans have
fine musical minds and they are not
given the credit their merit de-
serves. The speaker said American
musicians are greatly handicapped
In their own country because OF
this lack of appreciation on the part
OF their fellow countrymen. In Ger
many, England, France, ETC., the
people appreciate real talent from
whatever quarter of the globe it
may come, while we here in Amer
lea are to be criticised in this re-
spect.
AS to the ability Of Mr.. Bispham
as a baritone vocalist there is little
to be said. The fact that he occu-
pies one of the highest positions as
a singer in the estimation OF the
best critics, places him in a position
where the technical terms of the
musician need not be invoked to de-
scribe his work--a splendid voice
fine execution, phrasing, color, SEN
timent, Interpretation, etc, all being
massed and perfectly blended into
the finished performance of the real
artist.
Mr.. Bispham has been rightly
named the singing and his
large ability as a reciter and imper.
senator Is self evident Aside from
his thorough musicianly qualities
>he is a great character. The fina
number on Friday evenings pro
gram, King Robert of Sicily" b.
Longfellow, with music by Rosetta
G. Cole, was bit Of dramatic worl
that was simply masterpiece.
lie duuttItc "do htchiy oppAS
ciative of Mr.. Bispham's efforts ant
he graciously responded to two o.
three encores.
The first part of the program wa
closed with two splendid piano solo
by Mr.. Gilbert who was PRACTICAL!
compelled to play two extra mum
bers. For his closing piece he play
ed selection with his left hans
alone. a wonderful single handet
performance,
A fair sized audience greeted thes
two artists. A packed house, how
ever, would have been more In keep
ing with the merit Of the evening
entertainment.