Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-01-24
MCCORMACK GIVES
SPLENDID CONCERT.
Noted Irish Tenor Thrills
Huge Audience Despite
Handicap of Cold.

In spite of a heavy cold and against
the advice of his physician. John Nc
Cormack, the great Irish tenor. sang a
program of songs that held an audi
enCc which filled the Washington Au-
ditorium last night.
AS an explanatory prelude to the con-
cert, announcement was made that Mr.
Mccormack was only singing against
doctors orders because this was bene-
fit concert for the Shrine Of the I'm
maculate Conception.
Many dignitaries of the Roman Cath
Ole Church were present, and there
were large groups of various organiza-
tons under that church's supervision
scattered throughout the huge audience.
When Mr.. Mccormack appeared for
his first group. he received a prolonged
ovation. 1t included the old English
Since First I saw Your Face" and the
very ford Enjoy the Sweet Elysian
ing bravely to Offset the cold, Mr.. Nc
Cormack sang both these numbers ex-
uuisitely. AS Is his custom, he put his
most exacting artistic numbers early in
the program. while both he and his
audience were fresh. If he had slight
catch in the elaborate runs Of his Sec
ond number and failed to develop the
forte possibilities of his highest notes,
the reason was obvious to even the most
unframed ear. The marvel was that Mr..
Mccormack could sing as Superbly as he
did throughout the evening.
In his second group Masseger's mai
son Grise," lovely song. was substi-
tuted for the equally lovely. but more
exacting "Allerseelen" OF Richard
Strauss. The delightful Fairy Story by
the Fire" the Bantock arrangement Of
the very old Chinese "Desolation," and
Cesar Franck's beautiful "Panis Angeli-
Gus" with cello obbligato. were sung as
scheduled and with generally beautiful
tone. Just for Today" was the encore.
In the eagerly awaited Irish folk song
group. 1.-The Bard of Armagh" was a
welcome substitution for the scheduled
song; THE Short Cut to the Roses
was a typical Irish song, sung with
typical Mccormack mingling Of humor.
romantic sentiment and pathos, and
THE Snowy Breasted Pearl" was quite
as exquisite as this singer always makes
1t. Chaminades The Little Silver
Ring" was the encore.
The last group of songs was short
ened. In addition to the quaint Cow
boys Lament" and Bird Songs at Even
tide" both scheduled, Mr.. Mccormack
sang Loves Old Sweet Song" and after
insistent and persistent applause from
the majority of his audience. he gave
"Old Pal O. Mine" as his one final
encore. From the point OF view OF en-
cores 1t was certainly not real McCor-
mack concert for. for the first time per-
haps In the history OF John Mccormack s
concerts in Washington. there was no
Mother Machree," no Kathleen Ma
vourneen." and only about half the
usual allotment OF the lifting Irish songs
with which this singer first found fame.
Only his gentle. but pointed hint be-
fore his final encore, II want to thank
this audience for their kindness during
this painful evening. painful TO me at
least" sent his audience reluctantly
home.
As usual at his programs. Mr.. Nc
Cormack had marvelously sympathetic
and skilled accompanies in Edwin
Schneider. and an increasingly fine as
sisting OF soloists In Lauri Kennedy. cell
list. He opened the program last night
with the first movement from Haydns
Concerto No. 3" and later won two
encore calls from his audience after a
group which featured the quaint "Lul-
laby," by de Falla. the modernist. and
"Serenade Espagnol." and
also after Peppers Hungarian Rhap-
sody." The encores we're "Wiegenlied."
by Brahms. and 'Old Refrain" by
Kreisler.
Following the concert Mr. Mccormack
held an informal reception back-stage.
II. F.