Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980, 1920-07-22
Madame Thomas
And Singers Are
Chautauqua Hit

Chautauqua Hi
Despite the rain and the wet under
foot the chautauqua tent was fiilec
Yesterday afternoon to hear Madame
Hughes Thomas and her company OF
Royal Welsh Singers of internationa
fame. AS scheduled they gave a full
concert in the afternoon and preluded
the lecture "The Needs of the Hour
given by George D. Alden in the even
ing.
This organization is perhaps the
most representative of Wales that is
now touring America. Madame
Hughes-Thomas directed the singers
( who eight in number and also ac-
companied them on the piano. The
singers are girls who have STUDIED with
her. She has chosen the best singers
for her chautauqua organization frem
among the many in her choir.
Madame Hughes-Thomas is the
daughter Of the Rev. Richard Hughes
a we'll known Welsh preacher. she
married A. Edward Thomas a former
mayor OF Cardiff. the most important
city in Wales. She has taken an ac-
! tive part in the political and musical
life Of her own country ana since
coming to America and establishing
her home at Detroit, Mich, she mas
continued these activities in broader
way.
Yesterday in an interview Madam
Hughes-Thomas was asked: so you
really sang for the king and queen or
England at Windsor castle did your
and the big honest eyes Of this tai
ented woman sparkled with delight as
she replied ''Oh, yes, and wasn't it a
privilege to so highly please their
maiesties as to be permitted to remain
instead OF twenty minute one hour and
a half, and to hear the king say on osr
leaving, I congratulate you ana your
singers, Madam Thomas, on your
splendid musical.'
"And you knew Madame Melba TOO,
/ am told? was another question put
to Madame Thomas.
MADAME Melba?" exclaimed Ma
dame Thomas ''she was friend whose
memory is sweet to recall. she was
yerv kind to me after hearing my
singers, she said: They are magnitl-
cent, they are perfectly splendid! Ana
YOU may tell folks that l said So.
How do you like our America Z?
was tlren asked. /.
..Oh, I love you Americans, you are
so big and free and make us SO wei
come. Your scenery is magnificent,
vour cities are beautiful, and your
wonders are many, but when / sing l
see nv hills and mountains around
by little Welsh country. and when l
play for you, it is of them that l am
playing. MY country is small coun-
try. but II has been sung by bards OIL
old. Wordsworth loved to visit there
and he wrote much of the beauties "A
NV home land. OH" and Madame
Thomas eyes frightened, Il wish
might take you back with me to WISH
with my people, to see them Ill tneh
uuaint costumes of bright striped mus
Inns with an over dress of bright SIR.
or an apron of dainty design. The giriA
are beautiful in these picturesque COS
tunes and shoes with large buckles
and a tall hat of beaver under which
is worn a neat muslin cap.
".Do you all wear these costumes
mo, only the fishermen's wives and
daughters wear them now. 1t is q
pretty sight to go where these girls
are selling their fish and hear them
sing instead OF call their fish for sais.
You see all Wales sing. Every hamlet
and village has its choral society and
all the people are taught to sing the
best things. They know the operas
and the oratorios. These are the
tunes whistled by the school boy as
he comes and goes through the streets.
The nation as a whole encourages
music among its people and so each
year there Is given an annual national
festivl which is called 'Eisteddfod.'
'.And do you know personally, David
Lloyd George, the great English pre-
mier?'
'sOh, yes, he has home on the
north coast Of Wales and lives there
amid the ruins OF an old Norman cas-
tie, whose tragedies and romances
must have had much to do with the
preparation of his great mind for its
work in the world of men and affairs.
He is great lover of music and many
times he and Mrs. George have hon
ored me and my singers by attending
our concerts. He said: Your Welsh
folk-songs are a delight.
Madame Hughes-Thomas is pleasing
and gracious. She is much loved by
the members of her company, and
although she has been paid homage
by royalty she isn't the least bit snop-
bish, but, on the contrary is very
democratic. for as the interview ended
she turned TO her suitcase and said:
Come on little travelling companion
I'll have to carry you to the hotel. on,
yes, l know that you're heavy ana
there aren't any boys around, but any
way-well. just want to carry you 70
show my independence and democratic
snirit to the folks here in America
-uHelkn Rill!'f--