The Washington times., 1920-10-06
BURKE, IRISH tenor,
J. DELIGHTS CAPITAL.
New Star =, Has Enthusiastic
Audience to Cheer Finished
Performance.

A new star. Tom Burke. has caught
the American pabiic- Washington put
tts enthusiastic stamp Of approval on
The new tenor at his second recital
given In this country at the Nationst
rhester yesterday afternoon before
an audience that nned the theater.
With many people standing. In fact.
Washington quite lost It's self-re-
straint and shouted "Brsvo" even
calling from the orchestra chairs re-
quests for certain encores. an incident
that proves how the newcomer has
already created bond between artist
and hearers that seldom happens at a
nrst acquaintance.
And Tom Burke won by virtue OF
his gifts. He Is a new quantity 10
reckon with In the music world His
voice 10 \ dramatic tenor. big. warm.
vtriie. and he sings with style and
great beauty Of tone. Called Irish
tenor" the comparison Is naturally
created between this singer and John
Mccormack. He does sing some Irish
songs. but his type is that OF the
opera singer. It's a Caruso type OF
| voice In It's full outpouring. its surety
and richness In the top voice. and In
the dramatic sense that gains some
thing also from the human. laughing
| CLEAN In his eyes
With that rare artist, Frank 81.
Leger, at the piano. Mr.. Burke opened
his program with ''Othello's Prayer"
from Verdi's opera OF that name. His
art was exquisite and fine, the subtle
nuance Of phrase was there, and with
II Pull resonance OF voice with
beauty In IL that made one relax and
Just listen. feeling with pleasure that
here was something to enjoy. His
| encore here was less happy. Perhaps
someone has told Mr.. Burke about
that american public" that needs to
be pampered with obvious things. J.
was p bald giving Of a song. withart
subtiety and built up to a brilliant
climax. at full voice.
But Mr.. Burke has art in his songs
also. His singing Of the Gretg "A
Dream" was as gratifying as his
opera Interpretations, There was "A
lovely soft quality, vibrant and full
of color, while q compelling rhythm
that characterized all his work really
modelled the phrases together into
an artistic whole. His mezza voice
Is pure and lovely. and his high notes
are without any tightening or strain.
This rhythm carried "Macushla"
straight to it's mark. Sentiment was
there, as also In the Tender Apple
Blossom" while that Irish "Unbid-
dable Child" gave him claims TO
humor.
At the close. after singing as en-
core la Donna Mobile" from "Rigo-
letto" very delightfully."-. Mr. Burke
Ted whether he should sing Songs
My Mother Taught Me" OF "Pagliacci."
With spontaneous singleness the au-
dience called back "Pagliacci," and he
gave the "sob song" 1t was great
| and broad, warm and full OF dramatic
beauty. In the opera literature he
had given the "Rigoletto" lighter
"Questa o Quella" with great charm
in tone and graceful style, vile he
added tenderly Mother Machree," the
'rBallynure" ballad, and even II Hear
You Calling Me-" with beauty in word
values and legato singing.
Mr.. Burke was Handicapped by his
assisting soloists, because they are
| still in the amateur class. Hazel
Moore, soprano, sang with freedom In
the Polonaise from "Mignon." but she
has little to give in her songs. Helen
Scholder, 'cellist, played with musical
feeling and facility. but her tone is
harsh and she lacks finish. Francesca
Longo was at the piano for Miss
Moore and Miss Scholder.
Frank st. Leger. accompanist for
Mr.. Burke, is inseparably connected
with the songs Of the singer. He has
the art of the modern piano artist,
with all its fineness j. McB.