The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1927-01-27
AMERICA SHINES IN
MRS. TOWNSRED'S MUSICAL
BY Jessie

When New York said Of Edward
johnson recently, when he sang
Romeo to the Juliet OF Nine. Bori
at the Met" that never since The
days Of Edouard de Reszke and
Emma Games had It been so ideally
portrayed, 1t gives some idea Of the
feast Of fine tenor voice and spirit
that was brought into Mrs.
Lawrence Townsend's final "Mus.
ical Morning" of the season at the
Ruth Breton, vital and delightful
violinist Of young America" in
the joint recital.
In happiest OF moods, Mr.. John
son sang two arias Of his greatest
opera roles and did the unusual
thing for an opera singer. con-
tributed some gorgeous and distinc-
tive songs to his program. How
far apart are the Rudolfo's Nara
tive" from "Boheme" and the
"Vesti la giubba," the sob song.
from Pagliacci.s Yet they were both
sung with AN the glow and
dramatic diversity that they re.
quire, the Rudolfo soaring to
heights Of italian fervor vet blessed
with that graciousness that belongs
to the part, while Mr.. Johnson's
"Canio" was amazingly huge in the
rich outpouring of his voice, in the
gold OF It's tones and the nicely in
expression that lay beneath its
throbbing passions. It was a re.
velation in the art Of our famous
American tenor.
And the audience became vocal,
with cries of bravo and like COM
mendation from many parts Of the
ballroom that was filled with a
distinguished gathering.
OF Mr.. Johnson's most unusual
songs there was one Of trees, the
"Waldseligkeit" by Joseph Marx,
that was alive with swaying mo-
ton as Of a lullaby, yet that rose
to a stirring climax in music that
is profound, interpretive and love.
ly. And how beautifully he sang his
Richard StraussI It was the "Zueig.
nung." He exalted it's big cadences
and one must include the fine art Of
another rare accompanies, Kurt
-Ruhrseitz, In his success. For Mr..
Ruhrseitz. playing entirely without
notes, was completely at one with
Mr.. johnson and proved a pianist Of
command and discrimination.
The poem Of Michael Heads
Piper" was o gem, az was the
Kipling poem to Germans Kan
CARGO and Dingo,'' we found the per.
feet raconteur in song.
Miss Breton plays with fine aban-
don, with q dashing surety that il
n Yafn hr1 Az a
that gains for her an immediate at.
tention. 1t was in this spirit that
she gave a big, free and rugged
'Menuet" OF Porpora. Yet the con-
trast to the impeccable beauty Of
the Chopin Nocturne" proved tho
feeling beneath the assurance Of this
young and charming artist, who
came to US for the first time. It
was perfect and exquisite in tone.
Her final trill and cadenza were
beautifully executed.
There was Hubay gypsy "Hul.
lanzo Ballaton," in which her
vitality and the richness of her tones
ornamented a technique that was big
and luminous. would rather she
had used a lighter bow for the
kreisler "Schon Rosmarin," It lacked
the Tilt 1t needs. But in purity Of
intonation, in dashing brilliant execu.
ton, Miss Breton brings us some.
thing that few Of the youngsters Of
the fiddle" today have to offer.
Mr.. johnson sang among his en-.
cores the Sadero boat song, 'tMezxo
al mar" the ''Tally-ho" Of Leoni and
thee Pagliacci. Viva America in
music, say we! The recital was a
real joy.