New Britain herald., 1928-12-08
MRS. HORTON sings
IN PUBLIC concert.
Achieves New Triumph in Camp
School Program

Ruth Goodrich Horton. soprano,
sang in recital at Camp school hall
last night in a series OF four free
concerts sponsored by the Hart
studio.
The program consisted of Italian.
French. German ard American
songs. and for the most part the
compositions given we're choice
representatives Of the respective
schools. numbers not frayed through
too frequent use.
1t turned out. however, that one
of the old stand bys of vocalizing,
the Caro- Nome" aria from Rigo-
letto, attained the maximum ap-
plause. In this graceful melody. the
rhythmic swing and the technically
flawless presentation registered keen
satisfaction. The other aria, 20
Patria Mia" from Aida. was color
less.
Chopin, always represented on
pianoforte programs, this time gain
ed admission to an exclusively vocal
list. or the comparatively few songs
written by the poet Of the piano Mrs.
Horton gave that known as the
Lithuanian Song"
A beautiful song came to light.
"J'ai Picture en- Reeve" Il Wept in a
Dreamy by Hue. The poetic theme
coupled with q most appropriate
harmonic texture yielded moving
qualities.
The American songs not only held
their own but did little more. One
OF the acknowledged masterpieces of
the native school. Beach's "Ah. Love
| But Day." attained its usual high
level of acceptabilty: but there
were others In the list that showed
progress has been made since the
Boston woman penned her classic.
Theron W. Hart. who officiated at
| the piano, modestly suggested that
only one of his brain children be
sung. This was "A Fireside Song"
with words by c. S. Clifton. former
ly of this city but now Of Hartford.
This piece is distinguished by a raw
ishing melody imposed upon an ac-
compartment of originality. 1t is a
SONG of striking beauty and Mrs.
Horton took exceeding care to give
the home product worthy rendition.
to the pleasure Of the audience and
the satisfaction of the composer,
who had to accompany his smiles
with numerous bows.
The remaining two outstanding
licder were 1.-The Shepherds Song,
by Winter Watts. and "Spring Drop
ped a Song Into My Heart" by Fen
her. Both were OF the type in which
the accompanied revels - rapidly
moving embellishments extending
{ which is nothing for ne6phytes of
the piano to tackle. The able pian-
ist had these multitude Of notes ade-
1uately tanned. however. while Mrs.
Horizons voice scared unafraid above
the glistening cascades. This pleas
cd the audience SO much that an
addition was given, Obey Speaks
mastery sylvia" beloved of thu
multitude.
Mrs. Horton. having an entire pro-
gram OF song all to herself injected
her best art into the opportunity. 1t
was a technically fiawless per-
Torrance. The songs as rule well
, fitted the moods she prefers to ex-
press-the quite. the pastoral. the
sad plants Of poets love. There was
nothing Of exceptional vocal brill
lance apparent except in the "Csro
Nome" aria, and here she met the
demands acceptably and scored as
readily as in the less ford offerings.
Many OF the songs happened to be
OF exceptional difficulty, and the
fact she made them sound smooth
" effective and did not permit these
difficulties to become apparent was
a definite artistic accomplishment.
The injection OF more personality,
that something. which nowadays If
called "it." would be an advantage
10 most local singers; but after all
that is a hard thing to do on dimly
lit stage such as that at Camp
school, where the performers look as
if they arc serenading in the moon
light and not much moon.
Some singers in the public eye
have the infectious stage presence
and not SO much voice. but they are
able to put over what little they
have by imposing 1t on what it conn.,
monty described as an 'ingratiatine
presence" All other things being
equal. we prefer the voice first and
then the other If possible. Mrs Nor
ton had the most important equip
ment of a singer-a good voice.
Mr. Hart. who can make the piano
roar better than any man IN three
counties when 1t Is necessary. held
the grand down to nothing much
above whisper nine-tenths Of the
time and only tickled it slightly more
the remainer one-tenths. In Other
words. he completely submerged IL
giving the singer the right Of way.
C H,