The Wilmington morning star., 1946-10-31

trained voices which nave won
acclaim from audiences and crit
les all over the country-that de-
scription belongs to the Columbia
Grand Opera quartet-Which will
appear in Wilmington on Friday
evening, November /, at 9 o'clock
in the high school auditorium.
This will be the first in a Sc
ries of four concerts to be pre-
sented this year on the Whining
ton Community Concert a%ssocia-
tons 1861 series.
Adhe-ing to ladies first"-the
feminine side of the quartet is
composed Of Francis Yeend, lyric
soprano who appeared last sum-
mer in the American debut OF
peter Crimes" and Helen Oh
helm, noted mezzo-soprano. A ma
tive of the state of Washington,
Miss Yeend prepared for her pres
ent careec by studying not only
voice but also violin, piaro o, ballet,
dramatics and radio in Portland,
Oregon, and at Washington State
College. Although completely I'M
known in the East she braved
New York to win instant success
IN radio and Broadway produc-
tons. Her pure lyric soprano has
Been heard on such broadcast fav-
orites as The Hour of Charm"
"Serenade to America" and the
Squibb program. She achieved an
operate triumph when chosen to
sing the role of Micaela in the
Columbia Concerts production OF
Carmen" In appearances with
the nations leading orchestras,
including the New York Philhar-
monic-Symphony, and in recital,
she completely captivates her lis
teners.
A favorite American singer,
Helen Olheim brings the best in
operate traditions to the Column
bia Grand Opera Quartet. For
several seasons one of the Metro
politan Operas busiest and most
popular artists, her every per-
Torrance is a masterpiece of fine
artistry. Her Mallika to Lily Pons'
'Lakme," her sympathetic Suzuki
in "Madama Butterfly" her
sprightly Siebel in Faust" her
Joyous Hansel in the whimsical
"Hansel and Gretel," these and
many other roles have endeared
her to a wide public. Numerous
network broadcasts and Victor
recordings have spread her fame
nationwide. This popular artist
was born in Buffalo and was
graduated from the Eastman
School of Music. A member of the
Columbia Grand Opera Quartet
since its inception, Helen Olheim
brings to ner part the authority
Of a rich and varied experience.
Featured on the male side of
the agenda are Arthur Kent and
William Hahn, both of whom are
we'll known throughout the coun-
try fo- top artistry in Their field.
First, with Mr.. Kent. He is
American-born, Aforementioned
and 1899 winner of the Metropoli-
tan Additions of the Air. Before
bis Met debut, however, Kent had
IN the way of experience a long
list of achievements to his favor;
such as, appearances with the
Steel Pier Opera company, sever
al seasons with the St. Louis Mu-
nicipal Opera, performances with
the New York Oratorio Society,
the NBC and National Symphony
Orchestras and the New York
Schola Cantorum. And not even
the war and Army service inter
rupted his well-founded career.
Major Arthur Kent still found
time to appear as soloist with the
National Symphony, sang many
times at The Presidents Church"
in Washington, and twice at the
White House. Trading his maple
leaves for civilian musical laurels
III the fall of 1945, he Immediately
resumed his successes with the
Metropolitan and in concert.
William Hahn holds a distin-
guished musical record. For sue
cessive seasons a soloist with the
New York Philharmonic-Symphony
orchestra, ne has appeared in
Vulnerable times with the Boston
Symphony as we'll as with many
otEer major orchestras. Hahn is
equally well known through radio,
where he has been featured on
Great Moments in Music" Bell
Telephone Hour, Hamme-stein
Theatre of the Air, squibb pro-
gram, Philco Hour, Chevrolet
Hour, Palmolive Hour and ..Music
OIL Worship. He has had five en-
gagements with the New York
schola Cantroum and seven with
the New York Oratorio Society
and is regularly identified with
the Cincinnati May Festival and