The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-05-04

With the spirited strains of Rossinis
Semiramide' Overture. the twentieth
and greatest musical festival Of the
Wednesday Club will begin Tomorrow
night at the City Auditorium.
Founded for the purpose of foster
ing the love OF music In its highest
form In community in which that
essential constituent of the fine arts
had developed with discouraging mac
tvity, the Wednesday Club was or
ganized twenty years go upon n wisely
modest basis. beginning with small
things, growing with conservatism and
consequent certainty. rather than with
forced and inflated artificiality. the
club has progressed to as high a point
OF artistic achievement and material
success the physical limitations of
the community will permit.
From Grand Opera stage.
Following the plan first adopted two
years ago, the officers OF the club have
again this season sought the artists for
the festival among the ranks OF those
who have been tried and found sufii-
cient In that most trying OF all musical
testing grounds--the grand opera stage
During long period of the clubs
existence the singers were engaged
practically en- masse through n certain
impresario, who supplied the organi-
cation occasionally with n superlative
artist, but more frequently with merely
very excellent choir singers, or, Mt most,
fairly successful concert performers.
During the last three seasons. how
ever. including that beginning to-mor-
row, the choice OF interpretative artists
has not been left to music agent
who, being human, must bear in mind
the question Of commissions, but on
the contrary, members OF the board OF
directors who are thoroughly compe-
tent 10 Judge singers ability for the
particular role or part for which his
services are desired have gone TO the
great music centres in person, have
heard the singers under most favor
able conditions. and hence have been
peculiarly qualified to advise the man
agement OF the club rs to the singers
who may have been suggested.
In consequence of these extraordinary
efforts. even more earnestly put forth
this ason than before on account Of
the magnitude of the entertainment
proposed, notable array of artists Will
appear before the Richmond public
during the hithert o-unreached heights
of the three concerts OF tomorrow and
Tuesday.
Bonci, the Great Tenor
First In importance comes Bonci,
rarely spoken of save by his last name
probably the final criterion of an ar
lists postion-just as the world re-
members Tamagno. De Reszke and
speaks to-day of Caruso. AS Sembrich
Is regarded among sopranos by must
among tenors. With voice unrivaled
in sweetness among the male singers
of the day. he stands foremost among
all modern opera singers as the most
perfectly rounded exponent OF the art
of bel canto
And this phrase does not betoken a
terrifying accomplishment OF technic
difficult TO understand and possibly
unpleasing except to professional mu-
scians 1t means, literally translated,
simply beautiful singing" and is
employed to express that artistic use
of the voice. taught by the older ItaI-
ian school, which many critics believe
to be almost lost art. by which the
voice is so accurately, so absolutely
placed and used that the tone emitted
seems never to have been Intentionally
formed, but to have formed itself, and
therefore, to float of it's own volition
SO that, In spite of his high position
and his tremendous reputation even
among other singers, Bonci will seem
to his audience the most natural
singer that has ever been heard In
Richmond.
And this. in spite OF the fact that he
will sing three of the most difficult
cxacting and spectacular arlas in all
opera.
Clarence whitehiII. baritone.
Next, In measure of reputation.
stands Clarence Whitehll, the bari
tone. MIR. Whitehill's two appearances
during the festival of last season es-
tablshed him so firmly in the regard
of Richmond's music loving public
that the directors of the club made
every effort to re-engage him for the
concerts OF this year, and. after much
negotiation, finally succeeded
On Tuesday afternoon, he will re-
peat "Wotan's Farewell" from Die
Walkuere." which he sang so magnif-
icently last year, and on Tuesday
night no will sing the role Of Anon
:, Continued On Eighth Page)
BEST SERVICE no CALIFORNIA
Standard tourist. Intter nersonal1v CON.