Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1916-06-27
THE REUTER- CONCERT

II is a serious reflection upon the
good taste and culture of Wausau for
but mere handful of people to turn
out to such a concert as was given
at the opera house last Friday night
under direction of Jacob Reuter-. one
OF the worlds greatest violinists. and
one who on his return tours through
out the United States and Mexico was
greeted by capacity houses. In his
nome city, where there is no question
as to the character of the entertain.
ment he would provide, where his
talent is acknowledged (if not appre-
clated), it is deplorable to find hun
creds OF seats empty which should
have been filed.
Upon this occasion extraordinary
Mr.. Reuter- faced handful of music
lovers CreaD, who thoroughly enjoyed
and appreciated every number on the
program and who were capable of an
preciating that genius which has been
acknowledged in every part of this
continent, from Mexico to Canada. but
which genius coming from so close
TO nome does not apparently appeal
to the pretentious "highbrows" of the
local musical world.
IL Reuter- were unknown, unac-
claimed, true lovers of music would
require no press agent to convince
them OF his wonderful ability. All he
needs to do is to place his violin under
his chin and charm his hearers. We
have him here in our CITY at present
and are proud of that fact, but we give
him mere handful audience to en-
courage his great ability and his art
which have taken him a lifetime to
perfect. Were an artist of equal abil-
ity to come here from some of the big
cities or from abroad, the opera house
would be crowded. Possibly we are
too close to get the true perspective.
possibly the Reuter- concerts are not
the vogue IOr the pOSerS.
Seldom, if ever, has this wizard of
the violin played as he did Friday
night. Small though his audience was
he appeared to feel that it was thor
oughly in sympathy with him. The
violin mOaned and laughed and wept
and spoke in gentle tones and then
scared into realms of grandeur and
back again to the ripples of laughter
In the various numbers of his roper
toire, which contained a number of
Reuters own latest compositions.
When the closing number of the pro-
gram had been given, the audience re-
fused to leave the building, but kept
applauding and calling for Reuter-, who
several times acknowledged the COM
pliment and then retired, but they
would not leave. Acting in harmony
with the audience, Judge Marchetti
then stood up in the auditorium and
demanded that Reuter- play his own
Lullaby, which he consented to do,
first explaining that he would have
to play it without accompaniment, as
he did not have the piano part with
him. And then the audience received
its reward, for never was this little
soul-stirring gem played with more
feeling and expression, and peace and
tranquility descended upon the audi
ence like a benediction.
Miss Iona Slack, who acted as ac-
companist during the evening, did
much for the soloist in insuring a dis
Greet and absolutely sympathetic ac-
compartment, and proved herself a
musician of exceptional ability and
understanding.
o. w. Bosshard certainly pleased
the audience with his singing, if one
was to judge by the applause that
followed each number. He has a
splendid high baritone voice, sings
with much expression, and it was
evident he had received good training.
Miss Gretchen Morgan in her reci-
tations acquitted herself with an abil-
ity that demonstrated not only careful
and proper training, but a natural
talent of high order. Her person
ality is modest and attractive, yet I'M
assuming and natural and her enunci-
alton was clear and distinct, and on
the whole her work compares favor
ably with that of most of those who
have appeared in this city in a sim
liar capacity. Her selection from
Madame Butterfly, was exceptionally
well rendered, so well in fact, that for
the time being she appeared to divest
herself of her own personality, and
in its place brought her audience face
to face with the poor Japanese girl
hopefully waiting for the Homecoming
of her faithless American husband
who had promised to return when
the robins nest again"
Taken as whole the Reuter- concert
was a well balanced and more than
ordinarily enjoyable affair, and the
pity is, as we have stated before that
it was not enjoyed by more of our
citizens.
nrcrNuSc CnTTGCr NATES