The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1919-03-12
MABEL GARRISON
SINGS DIXIE" AIRS

II was with a touch Of the knEa8n-
tiles, of the strong bond Of sentiment
and of the homeland. with which
Mabel Garrison sung herself straight
into the hearts Of her large audience
at the National Theater yesterday
afternoon.
For though this charming artist Of
the Metropolitan Opera gave largely
OF her opera art. showing rare refine
ment, finish and beauty in her sing
ing. she concluded her most interest
ing program with folk songs Of
many lands, and so TRANSPORTED some
of our own folk music, that the re-
call after recall but reflected the JOY
that shown on the many faces that
filled the theate- and the stage a.
we'll, when as final encore she re-
turned and gave in true "pat0is" Of
our Southland, the always beloved
Dixie"
1t shows what the war has done
to our heartstrings- They respond
joyouSly. yet tenderly to such eI-
quisite rendItIons as Miss Garrison
gave 1t in the negro melodies, negro
''Spirituals," in the old Kentucky
billie Boy" and in her appealing
singing OF my LdP Alabama Coon"
and wool Of our being. their beauty
lifted our olden home songs to- .
height that brought q quick heart
throb OF exultation.
IntOnatiOn II Delight.
Mabel Garrison, dainty coloratuPa
Soprano has q special charm in the
music Of her middle voice, and in the
.uuance, the subtle gradations in her
oratura singing with freedom. with
the musical quality of the old Italian
singing. and with variety in vocal
art. Her intonation IL q delight. And
her personality brings the charm OF
the actress and interpreter of grand
opera music of the lighter mold.
Again she cOIoTsd and intoned that
rare Hymn to the Sun" from Rim
sky-KorsAkofrs COG DOR" which
she gave here with orchestra, with
rare insight and feeling. Il shared
the atmosphere Of the song from the
old Spanish mystery play with its ex-
quisitely reiterated phrases, and also
the real Debussy feeling in the
Swallowed "L'ombre des Arbres."
Seine French Songs.
In contrast to these atmospheric
songs were the piquant, the bliths
old French Scene and Rondo" Of
Isouard. The old Italian "bel canto"
was here, with no forcing OF tone,
just musical fiuency of execution and
exactness of its graceful delivery.
Something very fairy-like and deli
cate she put into the "Je suis IT,
tania" from "Mignon" Of Thomas. 1t
was not brilliant. Miss Garrison has
rather a mellow than a brilliant coll
ortura, but il was full Of fantasy
and an airy. fairy illusiVeness "Vous
dansez, Marquise" OF LemaiFe was
equally winsome and full OF caprice.
Baby" by George Siemonn, Mise
Garrison's artist accompAnIst-and
incidentally her husband-had to be
repeated. Mr.. Siemonn is an unusual
artist as accompanist. and also as
humanist in his dainty and tender
song. His accomplishments held the
music's message and an artists
touch, and he played without his
score"
Two Russian folk songs were de-
lightfully given. and another novelty
in music literature was the Spanish
encore, "MandOIine" by Dupont. Miss
Garrison also added with exquisite
artistry the famous doll Song" from
THE Tales OF Hoffman" The con-
cert was the fourth in the Artists
Course" presented by Mrs. Wilson
Greene. J. Mach.