Evening star., 1940-02-06

him to return. At the close of the
program Mrs. Townsend was brought
out by the two singers to say few
words in behalf of the National
Symphony, Kristen Flagstad and
Arthur Rubinstein appearances and
the Philadelphia Orchestra, express
ing hope that she may continue
her musicales another year If her
patrons so wished.
The debut of Miss Stevens, who
created such a furor at the Metro
politan by her impersonation Of the
"Rosenkavalier," was looked forward
to with eagerness. BY her interpre-
tation Of the two lighter numbers,
Rowing in the Dew" by Butterworth
and Little Jack Horner" by Diak,
she gave an intimation of how de-
ightful her other impersonation in
the opera must have been, since her
histrionic and declamatory talents
equal her talents as a singer. Her
voice is even and pure, its quality
Is velvety. She uses it with ease
and confidence without giving a
thought to the changing Of registers,
going up and down without effort,
and her smile adds to the charm of
her personality. Among her Sc
lections were two arias, "Voi che
Sapete" from 1.-THE Marriage of
Figaro" by Mozart and "Che faro
senza Euridice" from Glucks Or
feoed Euridice." In these she con-
firmed the first good impression
made by Haendels Dove sci, amato
bene."
Marcello's "Quella famine che
m'accende" was sung with dramatic
effect as was Love Went A-riding''
by Frank Bridge to the splendid ac-
compartment of H. G. Schick, who
was her partner at the piano. Miss
Stevens is at her best in brilliant
or graceful numbers which do not
tax the emotional side too much.
A little warmth and expression were
wanting in the scenes from the opera
"Mignon," which Miss Stevens pre-
sented jointly with Mr.. Crooks at
the conclusion Of the program.
Frederick Schauwecker, who acted
as Mr.. Crooks accompanist on his
recent tour in other parts of the
world, anticipated his minutest
effects and furnished an ideal back
ground for his solo singing and to
the ensemble.
X + X +
Song Recital Given.
A decided departure in program
making was last nights song recital
at the Shoreham Hotel by Katya
Parker, who was presented by the
Musical Artists of America under the
management of Mrs. H. F. Upton.
The field of song literature was well
covered and introduced such out
standing names as Rachmaninof,
Tschaikowsky, Dargomyzhsky, Nous
sorgsky, Chopin, presented in the
Russian language; Massenet, Mas
cagni and Thomas sung in their
original tongue and some familiar
names in a group of songs in English.
Mrs. Parker, who chose Washing
ton to make her first temperance
professionally, after several years
spent in retirement from the oper-
attic stage, has pleasing voice OF
q lyric timbre, one that can be
identified with her native country
famous for its songsters. With an
excellent and experienced musician
Julia Elbogen, for her partner the
singer gave an expressive interpre-
tation to an exacting program, in
fusing It with true Russian senti-
ment. It Is not often that one
has an opportunity to hear an aria
from Tschatkowsky's "Charodeyka,' >
many singers preferring more famil-
lar ones from "Eugen Onegin" OF
"Pique Dame" and 1t can be con-
Sdered as . new and interesting
experience. While Mrs. Parker's
tone is not always steady and she
has frequent diniculty in sustaining
her breath, her voice never loses its
sympathetic quality which finds q
ready response in her hearers. She
was encored after each Of her
groups, the second concluding with
the familiar "Connais-tu lie pays
from 'cMignon," which seemed to
lie especially well within her range
Miss Elbogen, pianist, who is q
newcomer in Washington, was called
upon at the eleventh hour to SUBJ
stitute for RENO Luoma, who wa
taken i'll. She contributed three
piano solos to the program-Bee.
thoven's "Contre Dance" Schu.
mann's "Arabesque" and Schuberti
"Rosamunde." Her playing Is dis.
tinguished by q lovely touch com.
bined with . crispness and an ar
tistic elan which made her per
Torrance most enjoyable. She wa
recalled several times. but declined