Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-04-05
Nj u S C.
FLORA KEEFER's RECITAL.

One of the most earnest and
musicianly of singers in Washington,
Flora McGill Keefer. appeared in her
second annual recital here at the May
flower Hotel yesterday afternoon. The
large ballroom was nearly f1lled ana
the audience was most enthusiastic. AS
usual, Mrs. Keefer presented a program
that showed careful selection and
preparation. She has never sung more
delightfully."- than she did yesterday.
Her round high tones are always
pleasant surprise as she is generally
considered definitely contralto.
although she gives her own opinion of
her voice as "mezzo-contraito," She
sang two Handel selections, rarely
heard, particularly effectively for her
first group. The "Furibondi' was truly
inspiring and it was refreshing to note
the enthusiastic way in which the
singer put herself completely into the
mood of the song.
Mrs. Keefcr's second group, German
neder by Hugo Wolf, Schumann and
Brahms, brought beautiful numbers
rnirably correct German diction that
made no concessions in pronunciation
to favor the tone quality, as is done
sometimes by even the most profession
al singers. The third group of songs
was even more interesting from novelty
point of view "Plaine dAriane," by
Coquard, is an exquisite song quite
unfamiliar on programs here. La
Pavane," by Bruneau, is equally charm
ing, though in lighter mood. "Stornel-
latrice,' by Respighi is always welcome
a highly dramatic brief song that
should prove worthy addition to song
literature. In her last group Mrs.
Keefer gave songs in English by Rach-
= nlaninoff. La Forge, MacFayden and
Densmore.
Mildred Kolb Schulze, another Wash
ingtonian who has become particularly
noted for sincerity and careful prepara-
ton of works she presents in public,
gave unusually we'll blended accom-
panimentS to Mrs. Keefer'S readings of
her songs and also presented a short
group of piano solos. She gave two
brief and clever Debussy selections,
"Serenade Ia Poupee" and La Petit
Berger" and Schuett's dashing ar
rangement of the music from Johann
Strauss opera, die Fledermaus." H. F.
Y. w. C. A. OPERETTA.
"Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs."
a musical fairy tale in three acts, was
presented last night by the Girl Re-
serves of Washington in Barker Hall.
This was the fourth annual operetta
to be presented by this group of girls.
The libretto and music were written by
drama presentation were under the
leadership of Lucy Clark Street and
Alice Sigworth Morse, respectively.
Colorful settings and original costumes
designed by the girls themselves, spe-
cial dance numbers, ensembles and
solos added much to the attractiveness
OF the program. The story Is told al
most In its entirety by song and dance.
With large cast composed of (includ-
ing choruSes) well over SO persons, the
operetta was put over in excellent style,
under adverse conditions, there being
a decided lack of space both on the
stage as we'll as behind scenes.
The Queen of Godare, played by
Catharine Schofield, a vain, arrogant
creature, jealous and enraged because
her place as the most beautiful woman
in all Godare had been usurped by her
step-daughter, Snow White, played by
Mary Middleton, orders her killed. The
plot moves quickly, the hero prince and
princess being happily united at the
end. Prince Donaldo was portrayed by
Helen Middleton.
The work of the two sisters, Mary
and Helen Middleton, who played the
parts of the princess and prince, re-
spectively, was outstanding. Both possess
charming voices ana IN the duet,
entitled I'm the Garden of My Heart"
which they rendered twice, they were
especially delightful. Martha Fisher,
danseuse, as the spirit of the storm
gives an excellent exhibition of char
acter dancing. THE March of the
Guardsmen" was the outstanding choral
number Of the evening. The other
choral numbers were all commendable
The members of the choruses were
girls in the various high school organ
izations of the Girl Reserves. Central,
Tech, Eastern, Western, Takoma Park
Silver Spring and George Mason High
Schools were represented. Mary Middle
ton is student at Central, while her
sister Helen is a student teacher at
Wilson Normal School. The seven
Cwarfs were students of the elementary
schools. The chorus of the Guardsmen
was from the George Mason High
School of Alexandria.
Previous to the performance Kath.
crime Moritz played violin selections
The operetta is being repeated this
afternoon at $3.50 in the same place.
B. w.
LOCAL vIOLINISTS' CONCERTO.
Two young violinists, who in their
late teens are making an even more
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