Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-09-18
MEXICAN ARTISTS
AT UNION CONCERT
Record Number of Diplomats
Attend Program at Pam
American Building.

Two young Mexican artists, appearing
in Washington for the FIRST time, In
conjunction with the United States
Navy Band, Lieut.. Charles Benter,
leader, won hearty applause from an
audience of more than 1000 at the Pam
American Union Building last night
Vice President Curtis. with his sister,
Mrs. Gam, and Mr.. Cam. were in at
tendance. There was the largest repre-
sertatior from the diplomatic corrs
ever In attendance at these concerts, 81
being present, including many Of the
Ambassadors and Ministers, o. we'll as
attaches and secretaries A number OF
socially prominent folk also were present,
as well 90 q large group Of. musicians OF
the Capital.
This concert was the musical bridge
that linked the end Of the Summer sea.
son with the beginning of the new
le2e-3O music season: The original in
broad esplanade at the back Of the
building. The gardens and sunken Aztec
pool were accordingly lighted and deco
rated with the .nags Of the 81 American
nations. The tickle changes Of weather
conditions, however. made this unfeasi-
BILE. The director of arrangements de-
serves special praise for the dizziness
and quietness with which he had ac-
commodations for SO large an audience
arranged within doors. DIR. Leo 8. Rowe,
director OF the Pan-American Union, in
a few words of welcome and thanks
given at the close Of the program, men,
toned that his superintendent Of build
ing and grounds was near nervous
prostration after four changes in plans,
according to weather conditions. between
early afternoon and the time Of the
concert.
Mexicans on Program.
Although 1t so happened on this occa-
sion that both guest artists were Mexi-
can. eight other Latin American coun-
tries were represented on the program
Senior Federico Flores, baritone, walked
away with leading honors of the eve
ming for his group of songs sung In q
costume designed from zuloaEas ia
nous painting Eel Contrabandista. In
costume. Senior Flores seemed to achieve
more colorful and artistic interpreta-
ton OF his songs. A great variety Of
three songs that included the themes
of Spain, q lament and gypsying. An
other song by this Mexican woman
composer, "You,. You, YOU" was the
encore In an earlier group the songs
were by SenoritA Grever, Jorge del
Moral and Manuel Ponce, with an oper-
attic encore. Senior Flores has rich,
powerful voice and excellent histrionic
sense.
The other guest artist was Raoul
Sergio, pianist, who also acted As Ac-
cofnpanist in thoroughly capable
manner for Senior Flores. He played a
modernistic Prelude Nostalgia" by
Carrillo. with sympathetic feeling and
gave light charm to his reading of cas-
tro's lovely waltz "VAlse AZul." His
encore was Eel Fauno." by Carlos del
Castillo. 1t was bit reminiscent Of
Cyril SCOTS Lotus Land"
Other soloists.
Other soloists, members Of the band
were Musician Ralph Ostron, whose
cornct solo of Reynaldo Hahn'S Were
My Song with Wings Provided" was
particularly pleasing and Musician
Louis Goucher. who won much applause
for his two vibraphone solos, "Estrel-
1ita," by Ponce. and La oolondrina,"
by Serradel, both of Mexico.
Lieut.. Benter's band has never sound
ed to better advantage than 1t did in
the concert last night. There were
nicely handled legato passages with soft,
rounded concerted tone color in the
Venezuelan ballet, la Fete Chez The
reese" and Murillo's National Dances
from Colombia" In the waltz, Music
and Flowers" by Diaz Of Guatemala,
due emphasis was given to It's swinging
rhythtns and melody. The new march,
given its first rendition on this occA-
sion, Union Panafiiericana." written by
fgnacio dAleai1o of Honduras, using
themes Of the various American coun-
tries, was played with a sweeping Sousa
briskness and style. The more ambi-
tious Overture de Concert, No. l." by
Alberto Williams of Argentina, also
given its first rendition in the United
states. was played with admirable mu-
steamship. It is q work that would
stand repetition. Ernesto LecuoriA Of