The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-10-27
HOW MCCORMACK
 WAS "DISCOvERED''
Most Remarkable In Musi- cal History Is Rise of Tenor Who Will Sing At Palace Sunday.

It has been said that the rise to fame of John Mccormack, who will be heard in recital at Polls Palace theatre next Sunday afternoon. Oct. 29, at 3:15 o'clock is one of the most remarkable incidents in musical history. The question has been ask ed quite frequently: Who "d1scov- cred Mccormack? and there have rue fI3 me answers are wrong. The following brief but authentic sketch VIII be of interest at the present
 John Mccormack was born in the town of Athlone, Ireland, on June II, 1884. He received his early educa- ton at the Marist Brothers Schools in his native town. At the age of 12 he was sent to Summer Hill College, Sligo, where he I.Is graduated at the age of IS with the highest houors, taking all the prizes in his class in Latin, Greek, mathematics and Eng ISh comp oSitiOn- He had had some local reputation as a singer. but his parents did not realize the great things he was capable of accomplish ing in that line. After his gradua- Jion from college his parents sent him to Dublin to take an examination for a place in the Royal College of
 Apparently the idea did not occur 10 them that he would be able to turn his vocal talents to comm erciaI account. One day he sat at the
 
 of his favorite songs, and a doctor from his home town entered the room Don't stop," said he, as Mo COrmaok started to get up from the piano, begin it over again and let me hear it au.'' When the song was finished the doctor took his leave.
 I'm going to get Vincent O'Brien,' he said, T want to have him hear you sing
 Vincent OBrten was director Of the Marlb orOugh Cathedral choir, Dublin, and one of the most important musi- cal persOnages in the Irish capital. He was speedily found by the doctor ana introduced to Mccormack: sing mack sang '"Then You'll Remember Me" from the Bohemian Girl. "Young man" exclaimed O'Brien, there's a fortune in that voice. Don't you dream of being anything else but a singer Then and there it was ar ranged Mccormack should become a mSmber of O'Brien's choir.
 A few months later there was a big musical competition in Dublin. O'Brien persuaded Mccormack to take part, and gave him private in sstructiOn for several weeks. The Soung tenor easily carried off the first prize. His reputation made in the Irish capital, he became very popular and some of his friends organized of getting funds to enable him to take a course of instruction in Italy. The concerts not only furnished him with the desired funds. but added greatly to his reputation.
 For two and one-half years he stu died in Italy under a famous mas ter Sabbitini, acquiring there the fine Italian legato and the perfect phras- ing which made him a model of nat ura1 expr ession. Hear my Giovan- ni,'' says Sabbitini to his pupils. "His is the nearest of all to the perfect method of voice production. I am prouder of him than of any other singer who has come under my tuf- tior" When did you learn to sing some one asked of Mccormack. ''In my cradle" was his reply. What he meant was that he had always had the instinct of vocal expression. Te did not mean that anyone can be- come a genuine artist without care full training. He is a consistent eX- panent of the gospel of hard work. Hour in and hour out he may De found at the piano studying new songs, or making sure of his abso- lute mastery of the old ones