The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-01-10
MCCORMACK PLEAStS
RICHMOND AS USUAL
Great Audience Hears Favorite in
Wcll-Selected Program at
City Auditorium

City Auditorium
Thoroughly enshrined in the hearts
of all music lovers of Richmond,
where he now numbers his admirers
by the thousands, John Mccormack.
the distinguished Irish tenor and
greatest popular singer of his genera
ton. appeared In concert at the Audi
forum last evening and for q third
successive time made a complete con-
quest of an audience whose size was
limited only by the capacity OF the
vast building in which, for want of a
more suitable hall, we are still COM
PEELED to receive our musical enter
tainment. The house was actually
sold out before the hour of opening.
Every desirable and undesirable seat
on the first floor and in the balcony
was occupied and the overflow, that
would not be denied. was forced to
take chairs on the platform and be-
hind the artists.
A Splendid program.
The program was selected with
considerable reference to diversity and
attractiveness and embraced nearly
every variety Of songs in the tenor's
repertoire as we'll as affording the
vtolinist, Mr.. McBeath, ample oppor-
tunities for the exploitation Of his skill
on his beloved instrument. But one
unfortunate incident served to pre-
vent the concert from being an un-
qualified SUCCESS. The uncertain cli-
matte changes OF our winter season
had caused Mr.. Mccormack to be af-
fiicted with that unpreventable all
ment, the bare OF every singers ex-
istence. a bad cold that had very per-
ceptibly invaded his vocal cords. II
was at times very noticeable and
evoked from his auditors a sincere re-
greet and sympathy. Neither of these
feelings however seemed to create any
compassion. however. the demands
for encores being as insistent az ever.
except after the closing NUM- Der, when
they finally showed him the mercy
he deserved.
On his voice and methods 1t Ia
superhuous to dwell here. Not only
have We dwer at length on both In
former appropriations, but they are
now too familiar throughout the
length and breadth OF the land by
reason of his concerts and through
the medium OF their mechanical re-
production to necessftate comment
Though he has been adversely criti-
ctzed again and again, he still man
ages to serenely occupy the pinnacle
among concert singers In this country
and abroad. a position from which
he will not be dethroned until time
has worked its unrelenting ravages
with his marvellous voice. Overcom-
ing the handicap of the cold, his re
sistless personality won for him last
evening another triumph and in sew
eral numbers he rose to the climax
with such telling power that the en-
thusiasm and volume OF applause were
81 ty, lob I'D
audience.
Begins With Recttative.
True to his usual custom. he wac
first heard in recitative and aria from
Handei's "Acis and Galatea" that were
revelation OF his ability IN oratorio
and his fervor of feeling. He was
next heard in a group by German
composers: Schubert's Ave Maria
and Faded Flowers Brahms May
Night" and Schumann's Spirit Pres
ence." They demanded and were CIV
en- interpretative skill OF high order
and were all marked by the remark
able temperament that Mccormack
possesses. In the third group. the
singer came into his own and rem
dered as only he can, a charming
quartet OF Irish folk songs, that form
feature of his every program
"Mooriaugh Mary" I'm Dublin's Fair
city" Must Go Bound" and Pas
theen Fionn" were his selections, and
it would be hard to select the mos'
popular. No one has ever. does. OF
hardly ever will rival him in these
old Irish ballads and he seems &c
fairly revel in singing them
His closing group was peculiarly
arranged in that 1t worked from q
climax to an anu-climax. Deep Riv.
err and Her Portrait were preceded
by what seemed to us the best mum
Der OF the entire program. the jeli-
c!ous enhancing and incompatible
tenor solo from Liza Lehmann's I'm
My Delight" 1t Is n favorite with
tenors and has often been heard here
but never seemed go charming, SC
bewitching. so radiantly beautiful as
Mccormack rendered II last night. OF
course. there was an abundant gem
crosby in encore numbers. There
were many OF hts record favorites
There was MY Little Grey Home in
the West" and of course there was
the inevitable apparently indispensa-
BILE II Hear You Calling Me-" In which
his pyrotechnical powers are display
ed. But most enjoyed of all was the
song that he sings with his whole
soul and infinite tenderness. Mother
Machree." that goes straight from his
lips to the heart of every man, wo-
man and child within his range. Blu,
after the last song OF the program
the audience took pity on him and
reluctantly filed from the building.
Mr.. Donald McBeath. a prime Rich
mond favorite. is again rendering the
singer invaluable assistance. He Is 8
violinist OF brilliant technique. tbs
posseasor of remarkable breadth o,
feeling and temperament, and witha
admirably modest and unassuming
He was heard in programmed com.
positions by Cervetto- Salmon. Leclair
Fiocci, Bizet and Sarasate. the Zig
euser Weisen" Of the last named call.
ing for all the skill and talent OF the
performer anti to 1t Mr.. McBeath did
ample justice. OF his many pleasing
encores. McDowelrs ITO a Wild Rose
brought the audience to it's feet. We
would reiterate here what we have
said. that INFINITE value and interest,"
would be lent to these encore mum.
bers by the mere announcement OF
their titles
Mr.. Edwin Schneider was. as al.