Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-05-11
LAST CONCERT IS
GREATEST OF ALL
Martinelli, Braslau and Amato
Enthrall Capacity Crowd at
City Auditorium.
ANNA CASE COULDN'T APPEAR
Wednesday Club Chorus Rem
ders Original Composition by
Conductor Henry w. Baker.

night In blaze OF glory. Pleasing
and attractive as have been in many
respects the other concerts It remained
Tor the last to establish a standard OF
beauty and excellence which any or
ganization would find II difficult to ex-
Gel.
The absence Of Miss Anna Case oc-
casioned by sudden and unexpected
illness, announced only yesterday y
morning. was at first great disap-
pointment, but her place was filed to
the delight of the audience by Signor
Amato and Miss Braslau. and every
body was happy. 1t is most interesting
and pleasing to know that upon learn
ing OF the illness Of their fellow-artist,
they volunteered to fill the vacant
mum bers as a compliment to the We'd
liesday Club and to the people Of Rich
niond. and that this gracious compli-
ment was appreciated was evidenced
by the rousing reception given to both
By rare good fortune Slgnor Amato,
who sings in Norfolk tonight, re-
mained here rather than undergo
fatieuing trip to New York and back.
ana was thus able TO relieve the dis
appointment and chagrin OF the board
OF governors when the tardy announce
Inent was made of Miss Cases illness.
CLOSING PROGRAM IS
wELL-SIGH PERFECT
The program. changed as was neces-
sary, was well-nigh perfect. The
opening orchestral number, Reetho-
ven's 'Lenore" Overture, was played
with such dignity and appreciation of
th" richness and beauty of the score
n: t:sarms criticism and gave unusual
pleasure TO :hs audience which packed
the Auditorium 20 the doors. ar1 II
;sas so with every orchestral number
throughout, the program. The o;chcs-
ira had evidently settled down to
earnest and conscientious work. and
responded perfectly 10 every move OF
the conductors baton. Mfr Hageman
is TO he congratulated not only upon
the accomplishment last night ot tha
small orchestra under his dircctic:,,
but upon his OWE skill and artistic
work throughout the festival At the
piano. his p.ayinE of accompanimcnts
was revelation. and no one could
lave been more gracious In rendering,
this service TO the singers than he was
tie has strengthened his hold upon ne
Richmond public. il that be possibia.
ORIGINAL COMPOSITION
BY w. HENRY BAKER
music Was composed by W. Henry
Baker, director OF the "Wednesday Club
chorus, was a surprise TO those Of the
audience unfamiliar with Mr. Bakers
training and skill in the more serious
work of composition. and particularly
is he to be congratulated upon his ex-
ccllcnt arrangement for the orchestra
The music was solemn in its appeal and
Joyous and triumphant in the final
chorus. The voices and orchestra
joined in making il n beautiful perform
ance OF an excellent work.
Al the conclusion OF this most en-
joya Bile number. J. McCombie Murray.
!, member OF the chorus and the direc-
tor OF the choir ar the First Christian
Church. presented to Mr.. Baker "a hand.
some watch, the gift Of the chorus, as
AN evidence of their appreciation and
affection. II was n touching and un-
usual scene.
Miss Sophie Rraslau surprised even
her most ardent admirers by her
growth as singer. She has improved
wonderfully since she was last I'm
Richmond, and gives every Indication
OF further achievement in her profes-
sion. The quality of her voice is un-
usually sweet and rich, without the
harshness so often heard in contralto
voices. and yet she has reserve power
which makes her work most attrac-
tive and effective. She has even
grown in personal magnetism, which
is saying much. AS an encore TO her
first number. she sang Life and
Death" by Coleridge Taylor, and, TAX
ing the place Of Miss Case after the
intermission. she sang three delight
full Russian songs. which she briefly
explained In manner which added to
their charm. AS an encore, she sung
to her own accompaniment the "Haba-
nera" song, from Carmen" For her
last number she gave the Recitative
and Aria by Gluck. from 'Orfeo eft
Euridice."
AMATO RENDERS
PROLOGUE TO PAGLIACCI
Amato sang the Prologue TO Pag-
liacci in excellent form. and with
quiet dignity which BELTS tho tragic
plot about to be unfolded i'll the opera.
For an encore he sung '"rarantelle,"
by Rossini Though the audience were
prooably not aware at the time, OF the
gracious generosity of Miss Braslau
and Signor Amato, they could scarce
iy nave been more enthusiastic in their
reception of these two artists if they
had known 1t, and had sought tc give
evidence OF their appreciation.
IL is hard to discriminate i'm SO eX-
cciient program given by such art
ISIS as made last night famous in the
hlStory of the Wednesday Club. but
at least it may be said that Martinolli
was received with thundcrous applause
Mt every appearance, was recalled again
and again, and the audience showed tho
FULLEST appreciation and enjoyment OF
his wonderful voice and charming man.
ner. There is a sincerity and sim
plicity about his gorgeous singing
which adds to the pleasure of hearing
his great voice. Those who have never
heard him before can now realize the
fame which has come to him, and his
early attainment OF his position I'm the
front rank OF operate tcnors.
MARTINELLI IS THREE
TIMES ENCoRED
His numbers were well chosen ana
magnifcently sung. At the conclusion
OF tho aria from LA Boheme," the
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