Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1915-02-03
M 'CORMtCK REFUSES
To DISCUSS HOTELS
Whishtl Sure and Delicate Ques-
tiOn, He's Believin', 1t
All Is

What do you think of Harrisburg
as city of fine hoteisr" was asked
in an interview to-day at noon with
John Mccormack, the famous Irish
tenor who is TO sing this evening at
Chestnut Street Auditorium.
Good Lordi' came the answer in
the finest Irish brogue ever heard be-
tween New York and San Francisco.
how can l tell YOU that; if you peo-
lple in Harrisburg haven't an opin-
ion of your own hotels. what good can
my brief opinion do your"
At the first shock of surprise at
such a question. Mr.. Mccormack
faintingly leaned against his compan-
ion, Donald McBeath, the violinist,
and looked appealingly at his wife
who stood smiling nearby. Then he
laughed heartily and said he couldn't
talk on such a delicate subject.
NO doubt you get tired of having
fool questions asked you, Mr. McCor-
mack, but here is another for you.
Do you think there are many people
who have possibilities of becoming
fine singers through proper training"
Well" he said. there are plenty
who are trying and training-and they
all help the music teachers, who
must live, of course; but you know
on your fingers, and ! think 1t Will al
ways be so, no matter how much
training there may be. Becoming a
great singer is not matter of train
ing alone"
John Mccormack has a face
as fine as his voice, which
is rich and full of express
sion in the slightest VIC eo. He does
not like to be bothered by foolish
Questions. but his sympathetic nature
soon overcomes his first irritation, and
he talks with an intimate interest that
still has the far-away look of the
dreamer and artist
Carolan Not the Last of the Bards
Those who hear Mccormack sing at
Chestnut street hall tonight, and
there are indications that the audi
ence will be of record-breaking pro-
portions, will hear not only a great
singer. but an artist who at the same
time embraces all of the qualities that
made famous the old Irish bards and
minstrels. For many years the poets
have been telling us that Carolan was
the last of the great Celtic bards, but
they were wrong, for there is one
great bard yet alive in Ireland, and
his name is John Mccormack. He is
q bard in q true sense, for through the
medium of music he delivers a mes
sage that reaches the innermost depths
of the human heart.
He has been richly endowed like the
ing the heart strings. of reaching those
who love music for it's own sake and
who delight to hear in spoken tones
the longings, the desires, the sound
melodies that must forever remain 81
lent within them. Unlike many of the
concert singers heard to-day he in
dulges in no theatricals. Play acting
has no part in his concert and there is
no apparent effort to impress his per-
sonality upon his hearers. He takes
them seriously and tries to play no
tricks on them outside the realm of
true artistry.
The announcement of the manage
ment that it has arranged for 200 adj
ditional seats at 81 and 200 more at
$3.50 each stimulated sales greatly
during the day and there are indica-
tions that the big hall will be filled to
overflowing. The concert opens at S.15
and Mr. Mccormack will be assisted
by Donald McBeath, noted violinist.