The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-11-25
E1ited by ROSE FREEDMAN.
HUGO CONCERT GIVES MUSIC
 LOVERS TREAT
Large Audience Most En thusiastic Over Excel
 lent Program

All of Bridgeport's music lovers were at the High school last evening and accorded a cordial and well de- served tribute of appreciation to the artists, John Adam Hugo, pianist composer, Mrs. Susan Hawley Davis, John Barnes Wells, tenor, and Au- gust Berger, violinist. All with the exception of MT. Wells belong in Bridgeport, and Bridgeport delights to honor them. The program em- braced a number of MT. Hugo's own compositions and the audience would have been we'll pleased to have heard more of them.
 The recital was given under the auspices of the Wednesday Afternoon Musical club and once again it plac- ed the people of the city under dis tinct obligation as it has done a number of times before. Through this splendid organization many famous artists have appeared here and 1t is greatly to the credit of the club that 1t recognizes the splendid talent of MT. Hugo and thus gives his towns people the opportunity of realizing the extent of his genius.
 MT. Hugo opened the program with three of his own compositions which were rendered in a most @musicianly fashion. All were most melodic and fine in conception and feeling. They are of type that lifts them far above the ordinary and have an appeal that will make them live. "Joyeuse' has Hitting, rppling melody that sparkled and flowed smoothly from the composers fingers. His compo- sitfons while needing excellent technic to execute them are so melodious haf hn -+ ie pIetely lost to sight.
 Mrs. Susan Hawley Davis, whose rich contra1to has always been the delight of Bridgeport audiences who hear 1t all too seldom, sang two groups. Although suffering from a severe cold, her art is so finished that she was able to sing above 1t and 1t is doubtful whether anyone even suspected that she was so handi- capped. In addition to her voice Mrs Davis charming personality wins her audiences at once.
 Holmes song, 'Ie Cheva1ier de Belle Ftoi1e,'' was given with splendid feeling and rhythm. Tschaikowsky's s Cradle Song'' was beautifully done and the Weather Vane,' Lehman, was som ewhat out of the ordinary but most pleasing %.'The Tree" Carl
 
 words, was sung exquisitely and so insistent was the applause that Mrs Davis finally granted an encore choosing "On the Shore,'' Nirdlinger, which brought out the rich warm vel vety quality of her voice. John Barnes Wells, who has been here before, sang a group of MT. Hu- go's songs. One was a setting of the old poem, My Loves Like a Red Red Rose,'' and is far more artistic and suited to the sentiment of the poem than any of the numerous oth- CTS. The melodies were exquisite and MT. Barnes gave them the required vocal setting.
 MT. Wells is one tenor, and a rare type indeed, who is not afraid to mix a little humor with his singing. The average tenor leans toward sentiment tai loves ongs. Not so Mir. Wells, he gave a number of fanciful little songs that were gems, and which were his own composition. His voice is smooth and sweet and he has a good range. Florence Alyward's Khaki Lad" was finely sung and as the audience clamored for an encore he sang two of his own songs.
 August Berger, Swiss violinist, play ed two numbers in a manner that ] shows he has good technical equip ment. His rendition of Gypsy Airs, :" 1 Sarasate, was so pleasing that an en- core was insisted on which he grant | ed
 Miss Edna Northrop and Mrs. FL mer Beardsley were the accompanies 1 of the evening and their work added l much to its pleasure.