The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1912-04-18
THE LADY OF SHALLOTT

The Iecture-recitaI by the Wednes-
day Morning Musical at the Woman's
Club Tuesday night was one of the
most thoroughly artistic affairs ever
given here by local talent. and shows
the class Of work being done by this
musical organization An air of de-
ishtful informaIty prevailed: the au-
d.tOrl4m was comfortably filled with
invited guests, most Of them being
musical and capable of discrimination
The president, Mrs. McIver, gave a few
words Of cordial welcome and intro
duced Mrs. Van Hood, who with her
usual grace Of manner and happy fac
ulty of expression. told the beautiful
story of Tennyson's Lady of Shallott
and by reading portions, and connect
ing story and song, successfully pre-
pared her hearers for the music 10 fol-
low. She dweIt especially upon the
dramatic conception of the poem by
the composer. Wilfred Bendall set
forth not only in the voice parts but
in the instrumental accompaniment as
we'll. How the lett motif was used 10
express the spirit Of the poem Miss
Nartmann illustrated at the piano the
different descriptive motifs. In the
first part OF the cantata the Lady of
Shallott is pictured in all the joyous
innocence Of youth on her beautiful
but Isolated island. The music to this
IS wonderfully characteristic and might
De called the Innocence" motif Then
came the Mystic" motif, wherein the
Lady Of Shallott becomes aware of
much passing in the world that is only
known to her as reflected in a mirror
Then the Martial" motif proclaiming
Of
knights Of the Round Table. The
Lady of Shallott could no Longer en-
dure her isolation, being in the world
but not Of 1t and though "she heard a
whisper say, curse is on her if she
st"y TO look down to Camelot," she felt
she would rather venture than live on
shadows. When she looks she realizes
the curse has come, and she prepares
for her death. Then the Death"
motif is very weird and dramtic, as her
boat floats down to Camelot and is be-
held in CONSERVATION by the people
there. But the Innocence" motif re-
turns most beautifully as I-ancelot
eazes upon her and asks that God in
his mercy lend her grace" showing
that she has paid the penalty of her
sin and has been restored in death to
the joys of her youth,
The solo parts We're most exquisite
~ sung by Miss Porter, Mrs. Boyd and
Miss Downs, each voice being espe-
cially adapted TO the character as the
part taken, The musical is indeed for
tunate to have such Splendid voices In
its mem bership.
Singing in the choruses were. first
sopranos, Mrs. Gary, Mrs Carroll. Mrs
GARRISON and Misses Janet Weathers
Susie Lou Ellis and Adele Blttinger:
second sopranos, Misses Bettman, Mac
Kay and Conner: altos, Mrs. Blake.
Mrs Izlar, Mrs. Coin. Mrs Rlalock and
Vlss Won Engelken.
The ensemble was especially good
the parts being well balanced and the
precision and expression and certain
training.
The president and pianist Mrs. Nc
liver, and the director. Miss Wartmann
the powers behind the throne-are to
be greatly congratulated on their sue
cessful achievement. They give up
| their time, their talent, their patience
for the love Of art, and Ocala is to be
congratulated that it has such splen-
did musical study club. The Wednes-
| day Morning Musical has recently been
| federated. which means that its sphere
| of usefulness viii be broadened. and
that it will work in a general way for
the cultivation and dissemination of
good music. After the recital, the
members of the musical served delc-
tous fruit punch and most enjoyable
social hour followed. Z. II. H.