Evening star., 1941-03-21
Young Cast
Scores in
sKatinka'
Friml's Musical
Comedy Reveals
Good Voices
BY ELENA de SAYN.

Co is already famed for its delight
full and artistic presentations of
musical comedy was attested last
night by the size and enthusiasm of
the audience which attended the re-
vival of FrimIs "Katinka" at the
Roosevelt High School. The per-
formance was given under the aus
pices of the Community Center and
Fairgrounds Department of the Dis
trict of Columbia and directed by
Ethyl Manning.
An impressive cast of gay young
people. colorfully costumed in bright
uniforms and peasant frockS, proved
that they were we'll initiated by
their spirited leader into the re-
quirementS of such an ambitious
production and eXcelled in solo and
ensemble work. A professional Or
Chestra prepared the way and
added to the performance.
jeanette Bittner, in the title role,
showed professional poiSe'and finish
Vocally. She has a lovely voice of a
deep. carrying quality. Effective in
her bridal costume she was pictur-
eSQue at the side Of Kenneth Kin
Sella. her Russian bridegroom Strog-
off, who dominated the stage by his
height and bearing. Mr. Kinsella
displayed a basso voice of velvety
quality and fine range, which he
managed with confidence. The same
can be said of Irving Chandler, who
inperSOnated Ivan Dimitri, Ka-
tinka's erstWhile sweetheart, who
made a great deal of his opportu-
nifty.
Florenz HIM was amusing as
Thaddeus T. Hopper, wealthy
American who helps Katinka to de-
sert her bridegroom on her we'd
ding day. Davis Agey as Petrol,
Strogoff's old servant; Gladys Hunt
as Varenka and Frances Jackson as
Katinka's naughty mother infused
their roles with realism. Scenery,
backdrop and props helped to create
the illusion Of a country estate on
the Black Sea. While not authentic,
the coStuming was excellent and
new.
Under the direction of Alice Louise
Hunter, several groups enlivened the
presentation by skillful dancing.
Three Russian couples in the first
act deserve special mention. The
cast numbered some go people and
showed a splendid discipline. Others
who sang solo parts were Edith
Jones, Howard Moore, James Ma
gill, Margaret May, Mayne R. Coe,
Louis Baskin, Karl Wilson, F. A.
Wildt, Thelma Erkenbrack and
Ruby Arnold.
Young Artists Heard.
1t is always a pleasure to hear
a program that shows evidence of
care and forethought as was the
case yesterday evening when three
young artists, Kirstine Nielsen, So
prano; Louise Behrend, violinist,
and Dorcey Smith. pianist, joined
forces at Pierce Hall Given under
the auspices of British Relief So
ciety for the benefit of the Myra
Hess Fund for British Musicians
and managed by the AIRS Musica
Guild, Inc, locally, the recital at
tracted a sizable audience, with
many distinguished socialites head
ing the list of patrons.
A Well-chosen program consist
ing of representative compositions
by British composers was unusually
interesting and distinctive 1t in
cluded 18th century Sonata" by
Richard Jones and one by John
Ireland, both written for violin and
piano; a Suite" by Arthur Ben
jamin for piano solo, several early
English songs and some by Bantock,
Bridge, Britten. Delius and Howells,
the last three presented with violin
obbligato.
Miss Smith and Miss Behrend,
who collaborated in the two sonatas,
exhibited an admirable command of
the technical, interpretative and
artistic aspects of the works which
both of them played from memory.
Their performance was truly pro-
fessional, viewed from many angles
and for its balance.
Miss Behrend has a full vigorous
tone, pure intonation and abund-
ant musical feeling to put forth in
the best light modernistic number
like Irland's sonata and to make
it interesting. Miss Dorcey has the
making of an outstanding pianist
The artistic support she gave the
violinist and vocalist shows the rare
gift OF making herself one with her
partners and with the composer.
She submerges herself into the music
which she recreates and makes her
own.
Less advanced in her career be-
fore the public appeared to be Miss
Nielsen, who displayed sympathetic
voice and good diction. Similar
to her two colleagues, she also
possesses an innate appreciation of
the musical phrase and of the mean