Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1920-12-15
HELEN YORkE
SURPRISES AND
DELIGHTS AUDIENCE
Recent Illness Appears
+ Not to Have Deter
red Progress

"Aususta's Own Daughter" at City
Hall Tuesday Evening Before Fair
Sized Audience Presents Program
of Wide Range-Given Ovation and
FIowers-Maron Haskell, viioin-
ist, and Ruth Cummings, Pianist,
Accompany Her ....
Charming Helen Yorke, Angus
ta's own daughter" as she is called,
was here on Tuesday evening and
gave song recital at the City hall,
before a fairly well filled hall and
the severe rainstorm was not the
means of keeping home the many
who were eager of the chance to
hear again this promising young
singer. Considering what Miss
Yorke has recently been through,
her illness and its attending draw
backs, many were almost expecting
that her voice might have suffered
thereby. But she displayed the
finesse, the poise and even the polish
which might be expected of her
with her ability. And she early cap
tivated the hearts or maybe,
strengthened the place which she
held among her kennebec valley adj
mirers.
She is a more grownup Helen.
Her hair seems darker and sleeker
and more carefully arranged. Some
of her more girlish expressions are
gone, but they are replaced by
clever technique. She wore gown
of palest blue taffeta. cut very low
and made along unusual lines. The
skirt was shortened in front to show
the petticoat of gold thread lace.
Panels of the taffeta formed the
front of the skirt and the back was
plain with the big puff forming the
back of the waist as well.
First on the program was Marion
Haskell, violinist accompanied by
Ruth Cummings at the piano. Miss
HaskelTs first Offering was 18th
Concerto list movemenD" by De
Beriot. Her rendition showed care
full study of the instrument and her
encore was a very happy selection.
played easily and gracefully.
The. ovation given to Miss Yorke
when she appeared first on the stage
was sincere, long and loud. She
bowed low and smiled just as she
has before when she has sung here.
Flowers were handed to her and she
bowed again in thanks, smelled the
flowers and placed them on the
piano. Then she stood in the curve
of the grand piano with her hands
before and there was complete
silence just before she began to sing.
Her voice rang out, sweet, high
and clear, with no preliminaries. as
she sang "Ah. fors' 'lui La Ira
viata' - by Verdi. What matter is
the stage was bare--with absolutely
no decoration and with the doors
still bearing the reminders of pre-
vious entertainments, pasted and
unsishtly--it looked rather unpleas-
ant at first. But after Helen entered
no decorations were needed. neither
were they missed. Her encore to
her first number she called big
Brown Bear" and her Interpretation
of this nursery rhyme was abound
ing with vivacity and delightful ex-
preston. Her eyes, her lips. even
her finger tips were assets in her
adopted role. ~.
The generous applause which was
afforded her was sincerely appre-
ciated by her, that was easy to dis
Germ through her acceptance. And
she marched willingly back to the
stage when she was recalled and
bowed and acknowledged the trib-
utes. She seemed to be so happy
because she was making good again
in her home town.
The second group which Miss Has
kell played was "Gavotte from 9th
Sonata" by Bach-Kriesler and "Ro-
mama AndaIuza OPP. %" by Sa-
rasate. The second selection was a
pretty tune with pretty accom-
paniment.
And after the Q o'clock whistle
had blown and the strident sound
died away the concert was contin-
ued.
When Miss Yorke sang her first
group of songs she~ had violin and
piano accompaniment and the COM
bination was very pleasing. She first
sang foreign song. My Mother Bids
Me Bind My Hair" 1t was quaint,
evenly toned little song and she sang
it just that way-another way of
showing her versatility. 1t was THE
Rose Has Charmed the Nightingale"
by Rimsky- Korsakow, that struck the
sad notes. with lingering minor in
sistence. Her nightingale song ended
in the call OF the bird in clear. sweet
notes and it seemed that she must
have stood up on her toes to pick out
the high, silvered sounds, The song
died away with one long, low. note.
wound about by the dying bars Of the
accompaniment.
30 Little Songs" by siberia. was
entirely different than any of the