Evening star., 1938-02-08

VIZ AOHOIA WllAN4l lN1lS. 4OWlSCIlO 1lAS
given since the series, which aims to
present the most outstanding talent
Of the world, was inaugurated.
1t was rather fitting that one of the
artists Of this last concert should be
John Charles Thomas, who was en-
couraged to a professional career by
Mrs. Townsend. He returned yester-
day. the leading baritone concert singer
Of this country, and with his art
ripened by his worldwide experiences.
Mr. Thomas brings an aliveness to
his singing which permeates whatever
he does with an individual quality.
What is more of value still is the quiet,
unobtrusive manner in which he re-
veals what may be in,ense drama, such
as his singing of Cyril SCOTS Lord
Randall or delicate poesy, as in
Pierne's EN- Barque," or humor, as
in Malottes David and Goliath"
MelIowness of Quality.
Mr.. Thomas voice has all the
smoothness and ease of production
which refined artistry gives. 1t has
also mellowness of quality and the
warmth necessary for interpretive col
oring. 1t is pity. however, that he
has a way Of restraining the freedom
which scars so splendidly in the upper
register when singing In the lower
notes of his range so that they shade
perceptibly of the pitch. Were he
singer whose vocal production could be
open to criticism. this fault would be
understandable. but with the great su-
periority Of his art. 1t seems needless
blemish. For this reason attention IS
called to it, as sometimes faults creep
in without an artist approaching their
insidious character.
His program was varied enough to
bring into play his splendid interpre-
tive gift and at the same time
delight highly pleased audience. He
gave but one aria. the "Promesse de
mon avenir" from Massenet's opera
lie Roi de Lahore" following it with
Donaudy's lovely 20 del mio amato
ben" the delightful "Au pays" by
Augusta Holmes, finishing this group
with Ravels "Chanson boire."
Nothing finer has been heard than
the beautiful simplicity with which
Fishers The Minstrel Boy was sung.
or the moving intensity of SCOTS
Lord Randall" An interesting song
by his yesterdays accompanist. Car
roll Hollister, called Rhymes of =
Rover" confirmed the musical impress
sion which Mr.. Hollister made with
his splendid Accomplishments without
music.
For encores, Mr.. Thomas sang the
popular Largo al factotum" aria
from The Barber of Seville" and %
Dry Those Tears"
Two Songs in English.
Hilda Burke was less successful in
the program she arranged. which did
not include numbers of sufficiently
defined difference Of, mood. Also it
was rather curious that this American
trained singer gave but two songs in
English, Handers 20 Sleep, Why Dost
Thou Leave Me?" and Hugo VOLTS
I'm Not as Other Lassies Are" No
American or English composer was
represented
Her lyric soprano is exquisite in its
delicate tonal coloring and the purity
of its production. She sings also with
refined taste and an intelligent use of
her well-grounded musicianship. From
musical standpoint her program was
serious one which required intuition
in its presentation. but it needed the
Frightening Of some gayer numbers
such as I'm Not as Other Lassies
Are which she sang with fine esprit.
Among the less familiar songs we're
Fourdrain's lie Papillon,' Joseph
Marks "Nocturne" and the Ave
Maria from Max Bruch's "Das Feuer-
kreutz," beautifully presented. Two
songs sung in Russian (they would
still have been effective if given in