The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-04-15
A GLIMPSE OF THE BIRMINGHAM OPERA ASSOCIA TON, THE CHIMES OF NORMANDY"
 AND DIRECTOR MR. ROBERT LA AWRENCE
By DOLLY DALRYMPLE

HOW often we hear in these latter
 days particularly the expression about an individual,'' he has such wonderful personality" or The is nice, but Ia cks personality"
 T have sometimes thought that would see just what some of the authorities give as the definition of personality" but l decided yesterday, when I called to see Mir. Robert Lawrence, that there was no use. for here I found the exact meaning of the word with illustration. MT. Law renee has it as strongly evidenced in his makeup as any one know.
 In appearance he is most unusual and except that he is so well known as one of Birmingham's most distinguished bari tone singers, one of her best directors that he is dean of a big school of mu- sical art, and has the chair of music at Howard college, he might be taken for a statesman, a United States senator or something of the kind. Why one should think of a senator always as tall. broad shouldered, well poised and dignified I do not know, because since recalling the sen- ators and congressman I have met, may say that they look just like other men; but, anyway, MT. Lawrence is of distin- guished appearance and he is doing a great deal to raise the standards of music in Birmingham, which through the unsel- fish interest of such men as himself and the splendid women interested in the same sort of development is reading big pro- portions.
 nx,1 70 MT, i,aSf tions is the Birmingham Opera associa- tion, of which he is the able director and which is a most delightful and congenial organization of Birmingham men and women whom he called together two years ago and who are interested ln mu- Sical development. The first attempt or this organization was the Pirates or Penzance," which was given in man ner long to be remembered. The organl- zation was new then, and it was not as well rounded and it's purposes not as well known as now, when they are preparing to give 'The Chimes of Normandy" At matinee and evening performance this tuneful opera will be presented by this clever body of actors and musicians at the Jefferson theatre on Thursday, May A.
 What prase of student life do you find most conspicuous in Birmingham? asked MT. Lawrence, in course of conver- sation, knowing that he has seen great deal of the vocalists, the instrumentalists and the promoters of music and musical events since coming to Birmingham from New Orleans a few years ago.
 .The thing which I think is most re- markable here is the wonderful histr1onlc ability of the musicians" he answered. Now, in our Birmingham Opera assoc1a- ton we have not only good singers but splendid actors. In my long residence in the south and during years of travel over the country I have never seen peo- pie who excell so in this line of work. In talking of with an old Birmingham cit izen a few days since, I remarked upon this fact, and that I could account for it. As a rule, good singers are not apt to be good actors without great deal of coaching, but here I have had from time to time in my opera work to call in sub stitutes, and in this way I have discov- cred that there are many splendid actors. My friend remarked that inheritance might have something to do with it, since in the old Birmingham days there were so many amateur actors who gave opera, Shakespeare and other things"
 I recalled the old days when this same opera, The Chimes of Normandy" was presented; when the "Mikado," Pirates of Penzance,'' Honey Mooners'' and other players were put on the boards here with remarkable success, and I con- cluded that it is simply a case of his-