Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-03-30
Helen Yorke and
Supporting Artists
Win Warm Praise

~ tloSe WHO dllenQ6Q the concert
Tuesday evening at the HaineS the
atre. held under the auspices of the
Waterville Orchestral society, and of
which Helen Yorke was the bright
particular star, it was evident that
THIS charming singer, born and bred
in the Pine Tree State, is destined to
be great, with all that the word i'm
plies. Miss Yorke sang five groups
of songs and several encoreS and it
seemed as if the audience would
never get enough of her Her tonal
qualities were so pure, her voice so
elastic in it's scope, her high notes
were reached with such ease and her
low notes were so softly exquisite
that it was with a delicious sensation
of pleasure that one listened to her
varied program which contained
something of interest to all.
Besides Miss Yorke, there were
several local artists on the program,
including Kenneth Weeks, who gave
several delightful violin numbers,
Master Raoul Cyr really a boy pro-
dizzy with the cornet and Kermit Lee
man. and Louis Nadeau who gave a
violin duet with great credit. Miss
Ruth Cummings, a graduate of the
FELTON, school, played Miss Yorke's
Accomplishments and for the beauti
full old English song, 10, Hear the
Gentle Lark" r. G. McGibbon played
a flute obligato with splendid effect.
The work of the orchestra of 40
pieces, conducted by Harry T. Drew
was most excellent and thoroughly
enjoyed by the audience. After the
intermission, Kenneth Weeks con-
Quoted the orchestra in two selec-
lions.
Much could be said of every num-
Der that Miss Yorke sung, but that
would add nothing to the beauty of
her singing or the pleasure that she
gave. One listened with wonder as
she took the E fiat above the high C
in the closing notes of LA Traviata"
without apparent effort and the note
was perfectly clear and sweet. THE
Rose Has Charmed the Nightingale"
was a delightful number filled with
bird like trills that showed the beau
ty and f1exibility of the singers voice,
while the ''Vous Dansez Marquise"
was accompanied by expressive
French gestures, making it captivat-
ing to the eye as well as the ear.
Miss Yorke is twice gifted in that she
is an actress as well as singer. Her
interpretations, which always delight
are subtly assisted by this delicate
artistry. She lives the song as she
sings it, and gives it something of
herself that fingers in the memory.
Her Butterflies" was as f1eeting and
evanescent as the f1uttering creatures
themselves and her Cradle Song
was as soothing in effect as the
mothers voice to her infant.
The group of Neapolitan songs
were especially delightful, Miss Yorke
giving a brief description to each
preliminary to singing them. She
speaks the Neapolitan dialect like
native and the witchery and fascina-
ton of these numbers could be easily
felt. In singing 1.-THE Brownies" Miss
Yorke was an elf with the elves and
seemed to enjoy it, the Cuckoo song
was a remarkable imitation of
cuckoo and when 1.-THE Big Brown
Bear" woofed it was a very compell-
ing "woof." r.
Miss Yorke certainly found the
hearts of her audience and no one
who heard her sing Tuesday evening
but will be deeply interested in the
future of the little prima donna and
will be proud of her victories, for this
gifted singer is essentially Maine
product. Miss Ruth Cummings made
a most satisfactory accompanist and
received her full need of praise.
The work of the local musicians
was quite all that could be desired.
The various soloists acquitted them
selves in a most creditable manner,
and the ensemble playing was of a
high grade. The lighting of the stage
was a credit to the management,
when, in the opening scene, at the
stroke of the conductors baton, the
lights, from a delicate moonlight
scene, changed to a blaze of white
ness. For a long time the city has
not had such an opportunity to hear
good music, both vocal and instru-
mental. and WaterviIle showed it's
appreciation Of the opportunity. The
theatre was damned to the doors.
The standing room only" signs for
once told the truth.