The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-05-11

With the great chorus OF the club
trained to the highest possible point
of proficiency under its uutiring and
inusicianly director. w Henry Baker,
and with its notable array "f artists
already in the city and prepared for
final rehearsal with ihc Metropolitan
Opera Orchestra, the twcnty-rrst an
nual music festival of the Wednesday
Club will open Tonight at the city
Auditorium.
During its long existence. tie club
has passed through many trying
periods. Several years ago. indeed,
IL was seriously contemplated suspend
ing It's activities for II Year or two
until III" public should manifest its
in its effort to provide the best music
obtainabla at reasonable prices.
Three years ago. however, the OIL
GERS Of the club, confident that their
progressive spirit would meet the CO.
operation OF music lovers and of the
Richm0nd public generally, launched
upon new and bold policy. They
went straight to the musical centre
Of America, the Metropolitan Upcr;,
House, and from its ranks engaged
a number of the most famous artists
in the world, securing in addition the
services OF large section OF it's or
chcstra, which w. j. Henderson. the
dean of music critics In this country
recently declared To be the finest or
chcstra on earth.
PUBLIC RESPONSE
WAS INSTANTANEOUS
The response of the public was in
stantancous and warm. ana Since that
time the organization has grown In
strength and in artistic stature. until
admittedly the greatest event of its
kind in the entire South.
And this season the club has gone
far beyond anything that IL has ever
attempted since its foundation While
II has made no effort to revive the
ve-conccrt plan. which was tried and
abandoned as being practically impos-
sible, ii has arranged three concerts
OF rare quality. in which it presents
several OF the foremost singers In
the world to-day.
Alma Glucls, whose personality is aa
charming her voice is exquisite
has sung In Richmond number OF
times. Indeed, the public OF this city
believes that 1t "discovered' Miss
siders that 1t discovered Tetrazzini. 1t
is doubtful II there lives singer
to-day whose voice and method can
match hers for purity. limpidity and
ease.
Louise Homer, also OF the Metro
politan Opera, one OF the three tower
ing contraltos of the world-thc other
two being Mctzger and Schumann-
Hcink--has also sung here on pre-
vtous occasions. and her wonderful,
organ-like voice VIII he heard again
with delight.
FAMOUS GERMAN OPERA
SINGER on PROGRAM
Frieda Hempei. OF the Royal Opern
Of Berlin, and more lately Of the
TO Marcella Sembrich. She is the only
soprano of the day singing lin opera,
who is capable OF executing the al
rrcst impossible intpicacics OF Mo-
zar;s "Magic Flute" in which she
made her debut in this country. Miss
IienIpel is to sing the Queen of the
Night" aria from that opera to-mor-
row night.
sophie Braslau. one of the younger
contraltos of the Metropolitan Opera.
vas also discovered" by Richmond.
when she sang, for the first time TO "A
great audience. at the last festival of
tho Wednesday Club. Her voice is of
Il peculiarly luscious quality, and she
is progressing rapidly in critical and
popular favor.
Olive Kline Is n dramatic soprano.
who has made n notable success on
the concert and recital stage.
Paul Althousc, of the Metropolitan
Opera. ia tic young American tenor
who sang Rhadames I'm aida" no brill
liantly here last year. Mr. Althousc
was chosen by Mr.. Gatti-CasazZa di-
rector Of the metropolitan, to create
the tenor role In the Russian opera.
Boris GodOunov," which was produced
there last year. and alsI the tenor
part in Victor ilerbcrts onc-act opera,
~ "a oil,
first time in any country on that stage
this season.
SUPERB BARITONE HAS
biicN HEARD HERE nEFOnE
Phsduale Amato. the most superb
baritone Of the day, needs no special
contlnued on second Pagc.)