Evening star., 1928-12-05
Nj u SIC

MU SIC
THE DAWSON GLEE CLUB.
A Christmas concert by the Dawson
Glee Club, with John r. Monroe con-
Quoting, was given last night in Cen
trail High School. Adolf Torovsky, a
pianist of splendid ability, was as
sisting soloist. The last half of a
rather long program had the assistance
of a womaa's chorus of l6 sopranos
and altos.
The "Improperia" of Palestrina, ar
ranged for mems voices by Archibald
T. Dawson, was the second selection
of the glee club, and it was perhaps
the most effective of the three by
PaleStrina.
Following the Palestrina group Mr..
Torovsky was heard in a group OF three
selections, a "Gavotte in E Major" by
]. S. Bach, the "Vecchio Menuetto"
by G.. Sgambati and the last and best
played of these, "Pastorale Variee," by
w. A. Mozart
It was a German folk song. "Gute
the glee club up to its powers and also
swung the audience to real enthusiasm.
From this song on, there was evidence
of a keener interest and JOY on both
sides of the proscenium arch. The
March of the Peers" from Sir Arthur
Sullivans "Iolanthe." which directly
followed the folk song, benefited great
lv from the impetus which the singing
of the German piece had given the
singers.
'The first selection to have the added
interest and beauty of the womens
voices was Break Forth, O Beauteous
Heavenly Light" the chorale from the
Christmas Oratorio, by j. S. Bach, ana
in it there was offered fine blenolng
of the voices.
In the second group of piano selec-
tions bv Mr.. Torovsky, THE Rhapsodle
in G Minor" by Brahms stood out In
splendid Interpretation.
Undoubtedly a. great deal or the
credit must go to the conductor OF
the glee club. Mr. Monroe, for the
club shows able training. j. j. Blaney,
the accompanist, plays well.
THE OPERA PLAYERS CLUB.
The opera Players Club of 1mmacu-
late Conception Church opened It's
twelfth semi-annual operate season
last night in the hall on N street with
a new musical comedy, THE PRIDE OF
Virginia" before a large and responsive
audience.
This club of young artists have been
singing together for six years and nave
to their credit 10 operas. In this last,
the sixth. composition of Harry Wnea-
ton Howard, it has an excellent vehlcle
in ihich to show ability and talent.
The story is consistent and the score
is bright and colorful.
1.-THE Pride of Virginia" concerns
beautiful girl, Virginia Lee (Florence
Yocum); two suitors, Max CWllllam
Stoddard), the jealous lover, and John
Sterling Geonard Townsend) and a
wager, and is brought to dramatlc
climax in the second act, Wnen the
discarded lover makes present to the
bride of the note book in which the
wager is written.
The song "As but One Sum-" by Vir-
ginia and John, was exceptionally well
done, and in the Waltz Song and FL
nale," with Virginia and the chorus, |
the youthful artists established high |
er record histrionically as well as vo-
cally.
The story opens at Christmas, with
Virginia's brother, Robert Lee, home |
from college with some classmates, and
her girl friends in the old Virginia |
town all ready for a lively holiday. |
Jimmy (Frederick Nolan) is collegiate |
with social aspirations and love for
flowers and girls, and Martha Gather
inc Ryan, boasts passion Tor ancient
Greece and also for Bull Billings (John |
a college athlete. Ephralm |
George Neumann), the colored servant |
Of the family, sustained the comedy role |
Splendidly.
The whole performance showed re-
cooperation between the cast |
and director. Irene Bontz and her !
corps de danse put over clever Incl |
dental and solo dance numbers. In |
fact, the performance was smooth and |
finished to a degree seldom found IN
an amateur organization. Scenically, |
also. it was exceptionally good.
"The Pride of Virginia" will be re-
peated tomorrow and Friday nights.
THE CONCERT FOR THE BLIND.
The concert for the benefit of the Co
lumbia Polytechnic Institute at Foundry
Methodist Church, last evening, was
unique, as most of those who took part
were blind.
The performance was sponsored by
an organization whose entire board Is
composed of blind men. The audience
was large and enthusiastic, and the en-
tire program was well rendered.
A work by an American composer
was among the most interesting selec-
tions. It was "Etude de Concert
Op. &c. by the late Edward MacDowen.
Commissioner Dougherty made an ex-
cellent address, giving many interesting
facts interspersed with humor.
AS the Columbia Polytechnic !nsti-
tute, founded in 1900, is to be included
in the Community Chest, it is not
known if these concerts, which have
been popular in the past, will be con-
tinued.
The blind people participating were
Susie Duffy, j. Francis Germuiller
and Catherine Grady, who played the
MacDowell selection, and Robert Swami.
Assisting most ably were Fritz
Mueller, violinist, and the Imperial
Male Quartet, composed of w. A. Nc
Coy. E. G. Lippett. ]. Benton Webb and