Evening journal., 1920-01-16
ORPHEUS CLUB
AGAIN SCORES
Wilmington VocalistS Are
Heard in Delightful
Winter Concert
MUCH PRAISE FOR
RALPH KINDER

"Bravol bravlss'mal Orpheus Club =
applauded the great audience assembled
IN ihe Playhouse last nhsht 10 hear the
{ tlrst concert OF the third season. given
by the noted local organization. The
question is which is 20 be congratulated
the most. the Orpheus Club upon the
splend d concert given, or the audience
who were so fortunate as TO hear the
delightful program.
The excellence OF the chorus work
was a revelation TO the listeners. even
though great things were expected OF
the club The purity OF tone. sweet
ness and delicacy OF expression in the
ensemble singing made the choruses
wonderful and satisfying. The amazing
ly fine work Of The Orpheus Club last
night made the audience realize how far
the club has progressed musically since
their organization. Ralph Kinder. COM
poser, organist and director Of Holy
Trinity choir, Philadelphia, who has al
so been director of the Orpheus Club
since its establishment, must receive
the credit and the thanks Of Whining
,0n. But a good share Of the credit
and thanks must also go to the club
members, who by good voices and long
preparation made the fel'cltous result
possible. The accOmpaniments pl1yed
by w. c. Hemphill vasre most satisfy
ing.
The big treat in the concert was the
part OF the program sung by John
Barnes Wells, tenor suiOist, OF New
York Mr.. Wells has a pure, rich tenor
voice OF wonderful clarity. He sang
with great beauty OF expression,
whether In the sOul-stlrrlng khaki
Lad" a deeply pathetic song. by
Nywad, or I'm the gracefully nunOr-
Gus encore numbers. Every number
sung by Mr. Wells WIS enrn rd r3-
peatedly. II he had not sung with such
perfect ease and lack OF effort, ne must
have become very tired before the con-
cert was concluded.
Mr.. Wells is not only one Of the
finest tenors in the whole United
states. but he is one Of those lovable
personalities that keep an audience
completely fascinated. The sentiments
Of last night's audience might best be
described by a parody on one OF the
s0loists most popular encOres.
WED like TO form a fairy ring
Encircling John Barnes Wells,
To make him sing and sing and sing.
We'd lay our magic spells.
We wouldn't eat,
We wouldn't drink.
We wouldn't even wash
We'd simply sit and make him sing
A thousand years, by gOShl'
Two Of the nnest numbers sung by
Mr.. Wells were: Dream Port his
own composition. and sylvia" by
Speaks The audience demanded two
rcdllions Of kitty Two Negro re-
ligious melodies We're cxquis!iely sung
as well as love ditties. Love Me or
Not" by Secchi, End phyllis Has such
Graces," by Young
The most popular chorus sung by
the club was the "Itali2n Salad by
Genee. a clever pohurrl OF musical
terms, with incidental solo by Mr. |
Wells. The audience demanded two
ielpings Of salad.
The four Indian songs. by Cadman, |
proved not only novelty but an offer
ng Of musical beauty. The austerity, /
'omance and pathos OF the slowly dy- /
ing Indian race were elOquently |
rams ated into song The second song
If the cycle, "The White Dawn is Steal |
ng." was splendldly sung as a solo,
ly Floyd w. Harper.
The chorus numbers nearly all had !
he piquancy Of novelty. There was
/ Quaint song, Twilight" by Massen-
4, an opening hunting chorus In lively
'e.n. by BullardC and a unique. patri-
,tlc song. "Six FUN Fathom Of Men"
W Seller.
Two numbers by Ralph Kinder, the
lirector, were included in the program
Sweetheart I'm Dreaming Of You" a
ovely solo sung by Mr.. Wells, and the
lainty corus. "Violets," dedicated TO
he Orpheus Club. "Violets" relates
he tender memories awakened by a
,unch Of faded flowers. and concludes,
Those flowers remind me Of some
-irl, wish ! knew which one"
The concert closed with a, spirited
ingng Of the Soldiers Chorus" from
Faust" fine dell'opera. felicitaG.