The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-01-25
LAWRENCE CONCERT AT THE JEFFERSON
 BRILLIANT AFFAIR
Mrs. Beecher's Readings and Ok Quartet Selec- tions of Highest
 Merit

A large and representative audience attended the Robert Lawrence apprecl- ation concert at the Jefferson theatre last night and the entertainment was greatly enjoyed. notwithstanding tho fact that MT. Lawrence, the beloved founder of community music in Bir- mingham. was too hoarse to sing.
 The Hugo Ok string quartet opened the programme with movement from one of Haydns works. It was the initial appearance of this recently or ganized chamber band and while the music did not have the appeal that the Haydn selection intended to have been played, would have had, but which was switched at the eleventh hour, the ar lists were we'll received It was in the other of the two string numbers-the "Andante Cantabile' from TschaikoW- sky'S famous quartet-that they won the audience and provoked rapturofs and continued applause. The ensemble was smooth the intonation perfect and the tone color beautiful Refinment of phrasing and grace of feeling marked the quartets performance and 1t is not too much to say that the Andante Cantabile'' had sympathetic interpre- tation which would have reflected high credit upon the most esteemed of the string organizations in this coun- try.
 GRATEFUL APPRECIATION
 Following the Haydn introduction, MT. Lawrence was to have sung Han dePs 70, Ruddier than the Cherry, and Tt is Enough from Mendelssohn's "Elijah." He made his bow and after attempting a few barc of 70, Ruddier," stopped short and told his eager hear CTS that for the first time in four years he found himself unable to sing. He was extremely hoarse. After express ing his grateful appreciation of the honor that had been done him by those who had gathered on this occasion he made a second effort to sing, but had to give it up. The audience was nat urally disappointed, but manifested ready disposition to make all allow ances for something that could not be helped. MT Lawrence told several pleasant stories( and when he prom ised that those who attended the com munity concerts at the Bijou would have the opportunity of hearing him sing all the songs set down on the pro- gramme, there was an outburst of ap- plause.
 It was clearly evident that MT. Law rence's efforts in developing commu- nifty singing and the community spirit were heartily appreciated.
 ARTIST READER
 Mrs. Leonard Beecher, whose repnta- ton as an artst-reader is national, was conspicuous figure in the evening" S entertainment and fairly surpassed her. self. In voice, tenderness and dramatic power she could be classed with the greatest histrionic stars that have ever thrilled Europe or America. Among the poems she recited were 'The Road to France" Christ in Flanders" and Your Flag and Mine.'
 After Mrs. Beecher had finished her group announced on the programme. Mr. Lawrence. despite his hoarseness, sang a short comic piece, T Will Give You the Keys to Heaven,'' after which Mrs. Beecher recited, by request, tVerdun," and did it with such moving effect as to fairly electrify the audience. For encores she gave two little poems in Scotch dialect.
 The Rev. pr. H. M. Edmonds made few relicitous remarks in which he told of MT. Lawrence's noble work here. The audience then rose and sang My Country, Iris of Thee,'