The New York herald., 1921-10-03
Dapid S. Bispham,
Eminent American
Barytone, Dies at65
He Was Always a Vigorous
Advocate of Opera in
English.

After suffering from intestinal trouble
for six weeks David Scuil Bispham.
noted American barytone, died yester-
day morning at 8 o'clock at his home.
at 145 West Fifty-fifth street, in his
sixty-fifth year.
Although it was known that Mr..
Bispham was i'll. his death came as a
shock yesterday because it seemed last
week that he was well on the way to
recovery. He felt so we'll he undertook
TO fulfil several OF his teaching engage
inents. The relapse came suddenly and
the singer failed to rally. as his heart
became affected.
Mr.. Bispham's only son, David, was
killed IN an airplane accident in Eng
land in 1917 as a member of the Royal
Air Force. He Is survived by two
daughters. one now studying in Italy
and the other living at Stamford, Conn.,.
and by his wife, who was Miss Caroline
Russell. daughter of the late Gen.
Charles S. Russell. u. S. A. Mr.. Bisp-
hams body was taken to the Stephen
Merritt Chapel. at 161 Eighth avenue.
1nterment will be in Philadelphia after
funeral services here. probably on
Wednesday.
delphia January S. 1857. He was grad
uated with the degree of bachelor of
arts from Haverford College. Pennsyl-
vania, In 1876. A degree of doctor OF
IL was given him by his college IN
1J4f.
He studied in Italy under Vanuccini
and Lamperti and afterward in London
under Shakespeare. He made his debut
at the Royal English Opera House No
vember 5, 1891. in La Basoche" and in
serious opera at Drury Lane June 25.
1892, as Rnruenal In Tristan und Isol-
de-" His first appearance In this country
was at Symphony Society matinee on
December 3, 1898, when he sang the ball
lad archibald Douglas and was also
heard in selections from "The Bohemian
Girl"
He made his initial appearance at the
Metropolitan Opera House on November
81. 1896, singing TelrGnMnd in "Lohen-
grim" with Mime. Emma Eames as Elsa,
Nine. OlitzlSa as Ortrt,d. Jean de Reszke
as LohengriN and Edouard de Reszke as
the King. MIR. Bispham was heard fire.
quently in all the Wagner dramas ex-
cept "Parsifal." which was not produced
while he remained in the company. He
also sang in a wide Italian and French
repertory.
He was always vigorous advocate Of
opera in English. but it was not till COM
paratively lately that he had opportu H.
ties to demonstrate the value OF his the
ories. On October 26. 1916. the newly
formed Society of American Singers pro-
duced two Mozart operettas. "Bastien
and Bastienne" and The Impresario."
at the Empire Theatre. AS the opera di-
rector Mr.. Bispham. always good actor.
made one of the greatest comedy sue
cesses of his career. He reappeared in
this and other roles with English text
;,, of In co n
pany.
The distinguished barytone was not
satisfied with musical triumphs alone.
He appeared on several occasions In a
short drama, entitled Beethoven" CIV
ing characteristic impersonation of the
great composer He also gained consid-
erable approval as a public reader. His
readings of "Enoch Arden and Mid
summer Nights Dream" were note
worthy. His last appearance in this city
was on December 26. 1920. when he read
the Shakespeare text at a Symphony So
ciety matinee, all OF Mendelssohn's music
being heard at the same entertainment.
Mr.. Bispham was eminent also as an
oratorio and recital singer. He was
heard here in all the great oratorio
works. In his earlier days his recitals
were among the most important contri-
buttons to the musical seasons. He fire.
quently sang most effectively such works
as Schumann's "Dichterliebe." Schuberts
'.AIuellerlieder," Die Schoene Magel-
lone" OF Brahms and also his -Four Sc
rious Songs" which Mr.. Bispham intro
duced here. His delivery made known
and popular Walter Damrosch's Danny
Deever," and he also sang the role of
ChiIltn1,corth in Mr.. Damrosch's first
opera "Thc Scarlet Letter. (1S96).
His voice was barytone OF fine quail
ity and normal range. His singing was
marked above all things by It's strong
personality and intense artistic purpose.
Mr.. Bispham was successful not only in
the most serious styles but also In hui
morous lyrics, to which his remarkably
clear diction brought potent aids He
was at home In the principal operate
languages ana his singing in English was
regarded by students as a model. His
Wagner impersonations. particularly
Teiranpund, KUrverdl, Beckmesser ana
AIberick, will be remembered as among
the best ever brought before Metropoii-
tan audiences.