Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1920-10-15
HELEN YORK
Sings Here Oct.
~ Claims Prepared
ness Plus Persever-
ance Will Penetrate
PrOverbal Pessinisn

Helen York. the young coloratura
soprano. who sprang into fame
through two successful recitals this
strong .persevering student who
meets obstacles and overcomes them.
Helen York made up her nina
many years ago. when only little
child, that she would be successful
concert and operate singer. and des-
pite almost unprecedented restric-
lions, fought her way to a now en-
viable position, Her early struggles
for a career very much resembles
the girlhood trials of Anna Case. for
both of these young girls were ham
dicapped by the lack Of finances,
which were however. more supple
mented by a desire to win out.
Miss York comes from family Of
musicians. her mother being an ex-
cellent contralto of no little repute,
her father a well-known soloist of
mother. Laura Sturges. was also a
public singer, AS child, soprano.
she showed great talent rs pianist.
and although she never considered
public career as such. she realized
that any instrumental study would
be an excellent foundation for
singers career. More than that. IT
was a means to an end. She per-
fected her musicianship in order to
accompany herself, not only to attain
a repertoire Of songs thereby. but to
act as her own vocal teacher. Yes,
Helen York for many years was
self taught She saved the expenses
of a vocal teacher, and later. when
her accompanying had attained de-
gree of excellence which provided her
with funds. she saved her modest
earnings until she had sufficient
means 10 go abroad to study. Shc
was then only nineteen years old.
Prior to her European. training.
the young singer pianist took up the
study of the organ under Mr.. Wass,
the organist of ST. Marks at Au-
gusta. Maine. and later became the
St. Marks church organist. Shk
then went to Italy and placed herself
under the guidance of the we'll
known Sebastian for four years. to
whom she gives most of the credit
for her success. In Italy she learned
both the language and the art If vo-
cal production, acquired large foun-
dalton of both traditional and modern
Italian songs. as well as en- extensive
repertoire in leading operate roles.
She made her debut in Lucia at the
McMercadante, the Napes Opera
House. where she sang for two
seasons in Faust, LaSonnambula,
Lucia. Rigoletto and the Barber of
Seville. She returned to the United
States short time before the armis-
tice was signed and continued her
extensive studies with the best known
coachers while singing with DeFeo
Opera Company. She appeared with
this Company in the fall of 1918 and
again in 1919, adding "Traviata" to
her repertoire of twenty-five operas.
In order to perfect her English art
and folk songs, her studies were con-
tinued under the direction Of f,avid
Bispham and her French songs were
coached with Maurice LaFarge. At
present she is studying the Russian
language. as well as the song liter
allure. Miss York's debut in New
York City was on the oath of March,
in Aeolian Hall, when Mr.. Bispham
presented her to the concert-going
public. This recital was quickly fol-
lowed by another, less than a month
later. on April 23rd. in Carnegie Hall,
under the direction Of her manager
husband, Mischa Appelbaum. Her
success established her standing in
American music and recognition Of
her exceptional talent followed QUICK
ly. She has been engaged as the only
soloist of the afternoon with the
Symphony Orchestra at the Wor-
cester Festival, October 7th, and after
but one hearing and one test, was
signed by the Pathe Photograph
Company for a term of years. Miss
York will make her operate debut
with the Fortuno-.Gallo-H Hammer
stein Opera Company at the Man
haitian Opera House in the FAN of
this coming season.
Musical Augusta is astir with in
terest over Miss York's coming re-
cital at City Hall. October 27-all are
eagerly waiting to welcome home this
rising young prima donna. who. fresh
from a busy season filled with tri-
umph and success. returns once more