The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-03-29

In more WAYS than ono tho 1914 May
Festival Of the "Wednesday Club, on
May II and 10. will mark an event
In the musical progress OF Itichmond
Until last year. no one acquainted
with the wcll-nigh prohi,itivc cost of
opera music would have believed that
n city the size of Richmond was capa-
bic OF supporting such n series of con
certs ~ has been arranged for this
festival With every item except cs-
scntials discarded. tho three concerts
VIII entail an expenditure OF npproX!-
mately $1,000 By the Wednesdays Club
o.. In another form, $1,000 for each
concert Two years ago the bare pro-
posai 10 stage single concert in
Richmond q, an expense of 5000
would have provoked amusement; to-
day tho club rests confident In the be
lief that IL VIII meet expenses
Tho Significance OF the declaration
that Richmond can support concerts
by grand opera stars is understood
when comparisons are mace VITA
cities Of far greater population and
wealth Not even New York. with
us 1900 shlllionnires. its diamond
horseshoe. It's musical colony and i'm
mcnse population, can make tho Me.
Topolitan Grand Opera House sel :
supporting. For years the wcalthy
boNholders OF that famous house have
made up out OF thcir own pockets a
heavy deficit at The close OF the opera
season.
Atlanta HIS its week of grand onera.
week which has come 10 mean Tor
tho far South IN :, different sense what
-haTdi Gras means To finance me
venture. Atlanta citizens subscribe
annually a fnnd Of $4,000
herc are the stars who VIII take
part in the local concerts:
timn Gluck, soprano. OF the Metro
poli'an Opera Like many other
stars OF The grand oper;, stage Miss
Glucks fame came with "a suddenness
that was sharp. Once atenogralhcr
In a New York Office, unknown eNcep,
to a narrow circle OF New YORK &C
quaintances, she all at once sprnnr in
to the BRIGHT light az the Netroroli-
tan opera House stage through the
mere chance OF being heard d.. some
on who recognized the rare beauty
or her voice.
"aui .ithuuse. a young American
tenor. also ot The Metropolitan
ratrouu OF the Wednesday, Club
concerts. Although a very youn4 man.
NJ Althouse has attained an undis-
Tuted promiuci-e rs a tenor Of the
FIRST 'al!brc, and Is couccdcd - have
hIiilaut t.tu.c before hiiu. When
the Metropolitan Opera House set
about The staging al victor iorbert's
young Althouse was chosen for the
leading tenor role.
Louise Homer. woman whose name
Is known Wherever civilization has
spread one OF the foremost cQntraltos
of Tie world. she has renchel the sum
INIT OF art, and her appearance here
VIII furnish Richmond music lovers
with rare oppor,unity
Her charming personality makes her
particular favor!tc. Perhaps her
greatest ;riumphs have been won in
the singing Of Wagrcrian roles. in
which She is 10 appear At the MAY
cStiVal
ui!>e kline. The possessoi OF a re-
innrkabie soprano voice, who has
chosen the concert rather than the
grand opera stage. although ner SER
vices have frequently been sought by
opera imprcsarios. Her rendition Of
,hc second soprano parts in Waeucr's
operas has attracted marked atten-
ton.
Frieda iIcmpoi. the brilliant mem
her OF the lmperia! Opera Company OF