The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1924-09-11
ENTERTAINING ANGELS UNAWARES
BY GORDON COOPER

Gated, and he barely escaped with his
life from the country.
Mr.. S. Jurist, the basso of the
Sextette, has voice like the rumble
of thunder. The peculiar quality of
the Russian music demands these
deep notes, and consequently its
singers develop voice that are much
lower than the average singer of
this country. Especially is this true
in their church music where the
low notes of the organ have to be
reproduced.
Those who were fortunate enough
to see and hear the famous "Chauve
Souris," the Russian extravaganza
which has been staged in New York
for the past two seasons will re-
member Mr.. Jurist as a member OF
the cast. In the Parade of the
Wooden Soldiers" the music of
which has become familiar to most
everyone with photograph, Mr.
Jurist took part, as well as in
many other of the scenes staged in
the show. Mr. Loukine was also a
member of the "Chauve Souris" cast
and both of them return to it when
it will be revived with new pro-
gram this fall.
The soprano of the Sextette, Ma
dame Alexandra Schlikevitch, is so
newly arrived in this country that
she cannot as yet speak English. But
her voice in music speaks the uni
versal language. An amusing Incl
dent was provided in Mr.. Vasilieff's
recountal of her efforts to master
the English of the song, "Whisper-
ing Hope" He said that she pro-
nounced "hope" as CHOPPER" with
an explosive breath on the last syl-
liable that seemed to delight the
children of Chautauqua audiences.
But her rendition of the song here
was flawless.
Madame Emma Mirovitch is the
contralto. | did not get chance to
talk with her, but those who heard
her singing will testify that it spoke
far better than ! can write.
Unfortunately the first tenor of
the Sextette was not present here.
As was amusingly announced by
Mr.. Vasilieff during the program
che was lost" Being unable to
speak English he was lost once be-
fore in Boston. Not knowing to in
quire his way, he did not appear for
the concert. And it is supposed the
same thing happened before the Sex
tette reached here. As MIR Vasilieff
announced, of you find this man
will you so kind as send parcel post
to us.
Mr.. Ramon Cordona, the pianist
was the only member of the Sex
tette not of Russian nationality. He
is a Mexican of established accom-
plishment at the piano. For several
years before the war he was an
instructor at the Berlin Conservatory
of Music. His piano solos during the
concert bespoke the master, and won
for him well deserved applause,
| heard Mr. Vasilieff and his sing
ers in Redemption. He has a
beautiful tenor voice. And the brood
ing mystery of the music of the
Gypsy Singers" gripped me as
no other music | have ever heard.
| was sorry that more of this mu-
sic was not included in the Chautau-
qua concert. But later at my home
the choicest of these songs was
sung. The translation of the title
of which is "No More at Evening. "
Vasilieff, Jurist, Loukine and Ma
dame Schlikevitch sang it as a
quartette. 1t has that haunting, ira
gic melody that is characteristic of
Russian music.
| heard Jurist and Loukine in
"Chauve Souris," and intend to hear
them again. For these Russians have
brought to America a music that is
tremendous in its appeal. And the
fact that they are strange people
in a strange land, yet bearing a
message of sweetness in song, there
is an added appeal to the romantic
Some of them have suffered intense
ly; their homeland is shambles of
despair. But up and down the land
they are carrying their gospel of
music.
And it is good to hear them.