The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1917-05-25

Whose Effective Efforts Have Meant
So Much To Mt. Vernon MusicaIIy
completely engrossing his auditors
in the role which he assumes max
ing them forget, as it were, that he
rated choir stall and carrying them
in minds eye to the stage, with elab
crate scenery and costuming and him
self the center of ALL attired as
would be the ruler of the lower reg
ions. What Ben Greet players at
tempt to accomplish by subordinat-
ing scenery to acting. Mr., Middleton
achieves through his remarkable
voice and presence. Robust of sta
ture, adept in facial expression, he
apparently lost himself entirely in
his role. His fiendish, taunting laughs,
registered in raucous and yet har-
monte tones, we're one of the many
pleasant interludes to the regular
work of his character. There was
that attraction about his efforts
which intensely pleased, despite the
fact that his part is, as it were, that
of villain" With Faust, with
Margarita, or with the villagers, he
swept his audience along by his price
less combination of voice and pres
ence.
A distinct triumph was scored by
| the music committee of the associa
tion in the bringing to this city of
| Miss Myrna Sharlow, member of the
Chicago Grand Opera Co. Twenty
three years of age, she is endowed
with natural voice of intense beauty
and range which has been so closely
cultivated that a glowing future is
unquestionably her lot. 1t was Miss
| Sharlow and her work that was on
the lips of everybody who left the
concert Wednesday Her personal
charm, revealed to its fullest extent
in the dramatic course through which
| SIG pdbStS III lbS opCld 40 Ntat So
rita, was eclipsed only by her voice.
| Full in power and yet of infinite
sweetness, it fitted perfectly so
charming a singer and completely en-
thralled the audience which, from ex-
rressions, only regrets that 1T will
never again hear Miss Sharlow in
Mt. Vernon, realizing that she will
ascend only too fast in the scale OF
fame. In Act 3, Miss Sharlow ren
dered one of her solos in French
with an accent most polished. Hell
most effective bits were with Mr.
Campbell, one of which-the garden
scene-stands forth as the most en-
chanting. Her work in the prison
scene was superb and the final mel
ody, just prior to her death scene
was superb.
Ralph M. Call of Columbus, whit
was so pleasing here last year, asail
sang, taking the role Of Valentine
the brother of Margarita. He worke
both with Mr.. Middleton and MI
Campbell in a trio, in addition Z
several solos, and proved most e.
fective.
Miss Christine Schultz, substitutin
for Miss Zabetta Brenska who wa
forced to cancel her engagement a
the last minute on account of Illness
proved satisfactory although sh
had comparatively little to do. Mr.
. Anna v. Bender of Columbus bravel
filled her engagement despite gri
and left desire on the part of the a,
T dience to hear her under normal col
= ditions.
Y Since the start of the festival a
S sociation and the practice OF produ
a ing an opera annually, Lawrent
0 Sperry of Mt. Vernon has alwa,
:, been heard in solos, but never to be
d ter advantage than Wednesday eve
= ing. Mr.. Middleton was very enthu
r iastic over the local mans rit
,, voice and expressed wonder that
s. did not take up music professional
r. Mr.. Sperry had number of short s
e los which he handled with SIX
k that made his many friends feel d
d tinctly proud of him and of the ia
h that his home is in this city
r The real revelation OF the evenir
1T however, was the work of the CHI