The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1914-04-14
NINE. CLARA BUTT
PLEASING TO MANY
LARGE AUDIENCE CARRIED AWAY
BY WONDERFUL CONTRALTO
VOICE OF SINGER.
last Number Of University Club Con
certs Was One Of the Best
Of the Season

To the many pleased persons who
availed themselves of the opportunity
20 hear the University Clubs last con-
cert OF the season at the Market Au-
ization that there ~ most always truth
In the saying, And the last shall be
first"
The high quality OF the ability
shown. when compared with even the
exceptional merit of the artists OF past
concerts. would surely lead any one to
believe that Madame Butt, Mr. Rum
ford. Mr. Murdoch and Mr.. Craxton
are second in no way. neither individ-
ually nor collectively. 10 any that have
proceeded them on the Wheeling plat.
foEms. especially the uresent season.
To 20 out Of the ordinary path for
a moment. IL seems paramount to re-
view the work OF Mr. Murdoch before
possibly eNhausting space upon the
magnificent features OF Madame Butts
wonderful singing. Contrary to his
stage appearance and repose. Muir
docks playing gave all that musical
enthusiasts could ask. Young, boyish
looking In appearance. even TO a coun-
tryned tendency I'm manner. his &c
centiciues only that more strongly
playing.
Mr.. Murdoch confined himself to
very heavy. and. II possible. extra
classical pieces. in which he was the
more able TO display all the ability
that he possessed. Ant in so doing
he impressed one with the belief that
MS ability Is very much natural
one. Ills two Arabesques. r and G.
Major. from Debussy were so beauti-
full that the encore he granted in re-
turn for the applause OF the entire
audience. filled the desires OF all so
well that second encore was de-
manded.
In listening to beautiful singing.
ones eyes are naturally drawn toward
the singer. and in the case of Madame
Butt, one could not hear her sing. as
she sang last night. with any posi-
bllity OF turning away while she had
even one more note to sing Such
was the power of her magnificent per
sonality. her strength OF voice, her
range OF control and her impression
istc expression that 'twould be
marked disrespect to grant her any
less than full honors with any other
contralto. II is for such ability and
execution that she Is called the great
est living contralto
Many Encores
She repeated the Fairy Pipers." as
an encore to IL. for nothing else would
seem worthy. The manner in which
she sang Abide With Me-" was easily
the best of the evening and was so
regarded. II the thunderous applause
u. she touched tho hearts of the on.
Tire audience by the sweetness with
which she sang and expressed her
innermost self in only a Child
dropped from the Skies" She grant
ed second encore to IL by singing a
homany folk song of strong features
The duet by Madame Butt and Mr..
Rumford was the last ON the program
ana showed the beautiful blending of
voices which Is only possible when
both are pure and of high quality.
Mr.. Rumford showed exceptional
versatility In his singing of the great
variety or songs which filled his part
OF the program. No halfhearted ap
plause was given him in return for
any number for he carried all the au-
dlence with him in each. His control
was of the highest class. and the
perfect manner in which he rendered
the dinicult and rapid pieces. Largo
al Factotum." When Childer PLAYS
and "A Ballynure Ballad" almost took
the audience out of their seats toward
the stage
Last To be mentioned. yet worthy
OF considerable more than will ever
be given him as long as he remains
an accompanist. Is Mr.. Grafton His
difficult position upon the program
was rendered IN q manner most salts
factory in every way. \ rather un-
assuming. quiet and hard-working sort
OF person, he virtually had to be
forced by Madame 5utt to accept a
portion Of the applause that was show
cred upon them.
To review the seasons productions
as staged by the University club. one
can only express the opinion that re-
suits have been highly commendable
and this city should not be without
such musical attractions i'm the fi-
ture. The club Is TO BE- congratulated
and helped in its work.