The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-01-04

The inspiration of the above poem is
Media Humphrey, the lovely young so
prano who is to sing in Birmin gham
Thursday night under the auspices OF
the Music Study club. The writer of
the verse is Cy Warman. poet, lee
turer and man of affairs. Mr.. Warman
was in Birmingham last week and
during his visit was entertained at
number of dinner parties which made
up In distinction what they lacked in
size.
In Cullman Monday night Miss
Humphrey sang before a concert au-
dience following an introduction by Mr.
Warman. lie spoke of her as having
left Alabama only a few years ago.
"a big bunch of raw material, and
now comes back precious package of
the finished product"
The above lovely lines he wrote for
her and when. after their repetition,
she sang-none there was ready to ac-
cuse him of even poetic license.
When Miss Humphrey sang to me a
year ago in New York in Caruson's
studio where, net long before, she had
sung to the golden-throated Caruso her
notes ran like quicksilver through the
difficult measures of several great
arias, and as she sang her eyes were
brilliant with the gladness of youth
and the JOY of her talent. Caruso had
written her 1t was a pleasure for ne
TO hear you sing last Sunday in Mr..
Carusons studio. and to find that you
are gifted not only with a beautiful
voice but with a temperament and in-
telligence and full of most happy
promises l am confident that through
more study and unfailing perseverance
you will attain a brilliant success, for
which you have all my best wishes"
Since Miss Humphreys last visit to
Birmingham she has achieved the dis
tinction of the Metropolitans indorso-
ment, having sung there about a fort
night ago. She has had a number of
triumps in the metropolis. After ore
of them--at the Plaza, the New York
Commercial had this enthusiastic ap-
probation:
Miss Humphrey reminds the opera,
or concert goer of Alma Gluck in her
finished, versatile accomplishment.
Happy Song" and Because appealed,
Just as did Stephens Nightingale" and
the "Bowl of Roses one of the delicate
offerings of Nine. Sembrich years ago.
The aim of a vocal teacher is to pro-
duce voice that will place himself
or herself as a creator. Garrison has
done this in Miss Humphrey. but sell
dom has an aspirant for Metropolitan
recognition won it under such artistic
surroundings. Enrico Caruso had in
dorsed Miss Humphreys future; so had
Antonio Scotti, and only another threat
ening cold kept Caruso from being
present at the recital. Scotti, the best
tenor robusto of the present day. was
there, as were many of New York's
best known patrons of all that is good
in classic music.
Miss Humphrey comes from Alabama
forever full of romance and song. so
she has breathed the atmosphere that
Wrought for her wealth of flowers
as good wishes for her success in the
north. Among the floral tokens none
mond rose tribute representing the
E1ks' lodge from her home town,
Huntsville. So crowded was the ball
room of the hotel that the announce
ment of another recital by this girl on
next Monday afternoon at the same
hotel was received with much enthu-
siasm.
Appearing jointly with Miss Humph-
rev, who is an Alabamaian, comes An
lRelso Cortese in the concert next
Thursday night. Signor Cortese is an
italian who has adopted Memphis a $
his home and is teaching and appear
ing in concert from that city. Signor
Cortese is a friend of Mr.. and Mrs
oliver Chalifoux. who were instru-
mental in sending to him as student
Miss Bette Rosalind Gilmore, tal-
ented young harpist of this city He is
said to be an unusually fine performer.
The concert Thursday evening prom
tses TO be one of the most artistic and
beautiful events of the winter.