The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-05-11
WONDERING CONGREGATION
HEARS UNKNOWN ARTIST
Listens SpcllbUund ms Wednesday, Club
SOloist Renders Uandcps
"Mcssinh."
Made Her Debut Here Last Ycnr, md
Gladly Lends Her Art to RichmOnd
Church.

When. mt tho end OF the bencdiction
last night, Rev. Z. Clagctt Skinner,
-. d. requested the congregation at
the Second Baptist Church TO remain
seated for a few minutes for special
purpose, the Sunday night worshiierS
looked at one another in marked sur
prise and sat down. AS the minutes
sped by without development II score
or more arose and filed slowly out of
tho church.
Two or three minutes passed and
several others who had either not
caught tho announcement or had
grown tired of waiting arose to go.
At this moment there appeared in the
west aisle u young woman accom-
panied by one Of the church ushers.
She walked quickly down the aisle
and appeared moment later In the
chancel and waited. while the organist
sat down and adjusted his music. Those
VINO arose To go sat down again. a
score or more VINO had reached the
street door saw the movement inside
and returned TO their seats.
The orEanist played the introduce
tory measures while the young wom-
ana slight young woman with
wonderfully attractive face--stocd for
minute facing the audience, her eyes
fastened on the music sheets In her
hand. The churchgoers asked one
another who she was, but only one In
MY COuIu answer the question.
sANG "H3 WAS DESPISED,"
FROM HtNDEES "MESSIAIfr
Then she sang. 1t was from Ham
dcrs "Messiah"-"He Was Des9ised'-
and from tho opening bars the congre-
CATION knew that an artist was sing
Ing. The voice was u splendid con
tralto-pure and flowing, attaining
surprising power and depth In tho
lower notes, reaching n silvery bell
like quality In the upper tones.
The singer retired to the ante-room.
and the crowd waited two minutes I'm
the hope she would return. II began
10 appear that the unknown had left
for good and half OF tho audience
arose to leave. The exodus was stayed
by DR.. Skinner. who announced that
there would b" another song. This
time II was 20, Rest in the Lord from
MenIelssohn's Elijah" and again tho
audience sat wonderfully through the
aria. The young woman left the chan
eel nnd did not appear again. and tho
churchgoers poured out TO the side
walk to learn the secret.
The unhcr3ldcd singer was sophie
Braslau, the winsome young woman
sent down on twelve hours notice by
the Metropolitan Opera management
last May To III gap In the Wcdncs-
day Club program caused ny the Ill
ness OF Miss Spencer. Before tho mu-
sic lovers of Richmond she sang mat
concert. Richmond acclaimed her, and
ravad about her voice. and she went
back to New York II full-hcdged artist
Sings At CONCI:itT
Tu-MORUOW NIGHT
Miss Braslau will sing again at Rich
mcnds May Festival as one OF the big
array OF artists tomorrow night. She
arrived at the jefferson Hotel last
night from Lynchhurg, whore she SANS
on Saturday night. She fell in hearth
ly with the plan of.crossinG the street
and singing two arias incognito, Civ
inC gladly of her art MS n tribute to
the people of Richmond. who started
her on her career.
Let me first tell you how glad am
To be back in Richmond" said Miss
Rraslau in the parlor OF the Jefferson
Hotel. after the impromptu church
concert. II know you hear that often.
but ] mean II with all my heart.
Please ihis is not diplomacy There
Is "a warm place In my heart for Rich
hond ! came here 4 year ago, abso-
iuiely unknown, and you were good to
me- shall not forget 1T. Does any
g'rl forget whore She made her debut
IL was apparent that Miss I.raslau
was whole hcartcdiy in earnest. She
spoke with II spontaneous warmth
which left no doubt as TO her feeling
FOR Richmond and its people. she is
u slender young woman. with IA direct,
appealing manner. faint foreign ac-
cent, and face just enough un-Amcri-
can To make one wonder at her ma.
tionality.
Il wanted to do something to show
no" felt In coming back 10 friends,
ana was so glad Ia sing at the church
IL Was n privilege. and about the only
way could make Il small return to
itlchmond for its kindness to me. And
IL wasn't singing for money as II is
on other occasions. but singing for
ioVe. which | like so much better"
Besides Miss Braslau, there were
registered At the Jefferson last night
l.ichard Hageinnn, leader OF The Mot
Iopohtan Opera Orchestra, and tho
hltF members Of the orchestra itself.
Alma Gluck, Louise Homer, Olive
Kline and Paul Althousc Will arrive
to-day, and Frieda Hcmpcl ana Pas
qualc Amato arc due Tomorrow