The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-11-19
CONCERT AT ATHENS

CONCERT AT ATHENS
A large and appreciative audience
filed the spacious and handsome au-
ditorium of Athens college conserva-
tory on the evening of Monday, when
the special faculty of this institution
presented a programme that gave
convincing evidence that Athens col
lege conservatory has a right to the
enviable place 1t occupies in the
musical world.
The entertainment furnished by
these artists was delightfully."- varied
and well adapted to show the SPLEEN
did preparation, finished technique
and versatility of the participants.
| AS an opening number Harriet A.
Wakeman, violinist, and Ada Mildred
Cane, pianist, selected Beethoyen's
famous sonata in f major Their rem
dition of this difficult ensemble work
demonstrated that they were artists
of high rank. Miss Wakeman gave
as a second number the Andantino
from the modern French biblical
Eopera, De Deluge, by Saint Saens. She
, played with sincere sympathy and
| insight, bringing to this number a
fine seriousness and absence of af-
fectation and mannerism, and
brought out her skill in tonal shad
ing
Making her entrance most gra-
ciously and with charm. Aleda Wag-
goner, head of the voice department,
won her audience from her entrance
on the stage. Her superb coloratur
voice of astonishing volume, lovely
quality and range was never heard to
better advantage than in the rendi-
ton of her first group, which includ-
ed when Morn Is Breaking"
Welsh air; two Russian folk songs
and will o. the Wisp,' by Spross.
Her notes were clear, sustained
throughout, and her pianissimo pas
sages while carrying the tones to
their very height were heard dis
tinctly through every part Of the
auditorium. All were beautiful num-
bers and exquisitely presented with
perfect enunciation, but it was In
the Ombra leggiera, from Dinorah, by
Meyerbeer, that brought to this gol-
den voiced singer tremendous owe
ton. Her trills and cadenzas were
marvelously and faultlessly rendered
and her marvellous rendition of the
shadow dance will be long remem-
bered by her fortunate hearers. Add
ed interest attached to this number
through the reading of the opera by
Mary Margaret Chester, head of the
expression department. Miss Ches-
ter gave as her share of the interest
ing programme three numbers which
showed to the fullest extent her YER
satility and charm. Her nne men
taIity. charming personality and ex-
quisite Interpretation brought her
unstinted applause from the audi
ence. Her first reading was bur
lesaue on the modern problem play,
behind the Beyond" This displayed
her remarkable emotional ability.
Her voice is we'll rounded, rich in
quality and her enunciation fault
less. She then gave with perfect IN
sight Dickens beautiful lyric, "The
Child Dream of the Star" So great
was the applause that greeted her
last number that she was forced to
respond with an encore
To Ada Mildred Cane, director OF
the conservatory, too much praise
cannot be given. Through her com
petent direction the conservatory mas
prown to be an Increasingly impor-
tant factor in this section. Miss cane
Ia a musician of very thorough prep
aration. having received her training
Under the best teachers in this cou-
try. supplemented by two years at
the Leipsiz conservatory in Germany
In her artistic accompaniment
throughout the evening and in her
splendid rendition of her solo mum,
her, Paganini's famous Wltcnes
Dance she proved that in additlon
to her ability as a director that she
ia true exponent of the piano Botn
her technique and musical feeiins
were of the highest order. Her work
was vigorous and her octaves ciear'
She displayed all the technique sur
rient, emotion and clear thinNins
,,anded Of the modern pianist.
An informal reception followed the
ooncert and music was furnished by
the Athens college orchestra.