The Washington times., 1926-04-21
D, c, SYMPHONY
IN TRIUMPH
By JESSIE MCBRIDE

T. Accomplishment! That is. the
Verdict given to the Washington
Symphony ORCHESTRA. Kurt Hetzel
conductor, after it's debut" concert
at Polls yesterday afternoon, with
J Richard Bonelli, baritone of the
/ Chicago Opera. and with Frank
/, Bibb, his accompanist. making up
las enjoyable program and one
as fine in type and standard as
the National .itaI may wish.
| Accomplishment. To the dozen
men and women who guaranteed"
this concert, gratitude. To Mrs.
Walter Wilcox. who brought this
guarantee to pass and secured the
solo artist, to Mrs. Wilson Greene,
as manager for the concert and
promotion of the orchestra, graft
tude.. To William Tyler Page, who
bore the message of a permanent
orchestra" for Washington, the
Capital of our great Nation, who
.carried forth in stirring voice this
need and hope of a community de-
voted to high thought and culture,
gratitude.
The concert, itself, remains for
appreciation. In Kurt Hetzel, who
has been with US about a year but
who was unknown here in his
special field, we found an artist, a
conductor Of real heights, a. person
atty who sways his players and
his audience by a power that Is
essentially that of the leader. Mr..
HetzeI was a genuine fulfillment in
the orchestral ideal. In his hands
we may surely safely entrust the
future of "our" Symphony Or
chestra.
Enthusiasm mounted, as the pro-
gram progressed. until recall after
recall was given, the men were
brought to their feet. there was
the glow of sincere enjoyment, of
spontaneous response that can new
err be simulated. So! Again we
claim success!
Mr.. Hetzel is elastic. suave, yet
commanding as conductor. Tai,
1.-the. he summoned the players, the
choirs. in no uncertain way. They
rose to him in the first List Les
PreIudes"-and that after but five
rehearsals, which must be strongly
borne in Misunderstanding the
finale into a forceful, real climax.
The symphony was the great
Tschaikowsky Fifth. its color dark.
momentous, its Andante holding
that heartbreak theme that brought
out a fine cello choir. that recorded
fine braVura in the first violins,
excellent tone and volume in the
brasSes.
The orchestra of eighty were a
professional band They held to
Mr.. Hetzel's vivid tempos, d mark
Of distinction in itself.
In Richard Bonelli, Chicago Opera
baritone. was a solo artist of com
handing voice and art. His Fri
tn" from Verdi's Masked Ball,
with orchestra and flute and harp
notably dominant, was full-voiced
and exquisite.
A group of three unusual songs
of large proportions, with that
peer of artists Frank Bibb at the
piano. included Saint-Saens' ''Danse
Macabre" Dance of Death that
was what Bispham at his height
might have given, while the Vein
gartner "Iiebesfeier" and above all
that vocal gem of Rossini, the
.sTarantella Napoletana" proclaim
ed BoneIli as having few peers IN
the art of song or of opera, so
near akin they were. His is a
glorious voice. He is great
artist.
wagner and the TannEauser
Overture closed this stirring event.
The dignity of it was there. Ths
full sweep of strings, the fine sup
mort of woodwinds. A conductor
from whom music comes with
authority. players who may bring
pride within and without our CITY,
have arrived