The Washington herald., 1918-06-15
IRISH TENOR
ON BIRTHDAY
ASSISTS K. G.
Mccormack Charms a
Polls and Adds to
War Fund.


John Mccormack was "a years old
YESTERDAY.
The noted Irish tenor. whose
birthday was coincident with the
occasion which America celebrated
as the 141st anniversary Of the Stars
and Stripes. celebrated his own
. birthday by coming to Washington
and singing to . record crowd at
Polls Theater. to swell the war ser
vice fund Of the knights Of colum-
bus.
The result of Mr.. McCormack's
contribution of his personality and
voice to the patriotic cause was $780,
900 which represented the box once
receipts and donations given In
honor Of his visit to Washington.
He was not alone the impetus the
occasion gave the Knights Of Co.
lumbus war service fund, for Miss
Lily Meagher. soprano. and Edwin
Schneider. pianist. contributed to the
enjoyment Of the benefit recital
Because he was willing to respond
to as many encores as the large au-
dience reasonably requested. Mr.. Nc
Cormack scored a hit. He was given
ovations at the beginning and con-
clusion of his recital. The audi
ence was also liberal in its applause
Of the efforts of Miss Meagher and
Mr.. Schneider who In their respec-
| tive ro1ao Uara
In Happy Mood.
Inspired perhaps by the fact that
his birthday was the occasion Of such
enjoyment in the Capital, and that his
presence had attracted such a repre-
sentative audience. MI. Mccormack
was in happy mood when he came
upon the stage. He sang with much
feeling The Star Spangled Banner"
| Mr. Mccormack opened his regular
program with "Oh Sleep, Why Dost
Thou Leave Mer' from Semele by
Handel. This soothing. lulling song
was So well received that he respond
ed with q light melody which caught
the fancy of the crowd. "Tell Fair
Irene" by Handel from Atlanta. was
also a favorite.
Miss Meagher then followed the
tenor with THE Star" The Black
bird" by CYRIL Scott, and "a Birth
day" the last being particularly en-
joyable.
Memories Of tented camps came
back to many when Mr.. Mccormack
sang by the Bivouac's Fitful
Flame" After the intermission, the
tenor put the audience in happy mood
again with The Last Rose OF Sum-
mer." The Ballynure Ballad" and
Nelly, My Love, and Ne"
Miss Meagher again scored with
Teddy oNear' and Kerry Dance "
The Great Hit.
The great hit came when Mr.. Nc
Cormack sang Dear Old Pal of
Mine" which was sung on the Poll
stage by Lieut. Gitz Rice, who ap-
peared in Getting Together" some
time ago, with Blanche Bates. This
song was written by the English
lieutenant while in the trenches in
France. "a Mothers Prayer" closed
Mr.. McCormack's regular program.
but encores brought There's a Long,
Long Trail' and Flower Rain"
Mr.. Schneider was at his best at
the piano. He was given hearty ap-
plause when Mr.. Mccormack turned
to him graciously at the end OF a
rather difficult song.
Frank J. Hogan and George H
IOConnor auctioned of Victrola rec
ords sung for by the tenor.
Senator Phelan purchased the
first. Five were sold. netting a to-
tai of $500.
Mr.. Hogan told the audience that
Mr.. Mccormack and the assisting
artists had given their time and tai
ents absolutely free. He also an
nounced that an autographed pic
ture OF President Wilson was pur-
chased by Mr.. Mccormack, the
money going to the benefit fund.
Washington will not soon forget
Mr.. Mccormack and his two assist
ing stars in the very patriotic and
artistic performance they rendered
yesterday.