Evening star., 1950-07-11
By Alice Eversmon

It was unfortunate that North
American Night of the National
Symphony's Watergate series.
with Alfred Wallenstein of the
Los Angeles Philharmonic as
guest conductor and Lois Mar
shall, Canadian soprano, the solo,
ist. should have run into such bad
luck as regards the weather. The
concert was postponed from Sun
day on account of rain, and it
seemed for a while last night that
another cancellation was in order.
A valiant handful of people who
arrived at the Watergate in plenty
of time took refuge under the
archways, while a short down.
pour had it's innings before the
concert started. But when moth
ing spectacular developed, the
program began and continued un-
interrupted in spite of umbrellas
being opened and closed at in
tervals.
It turned out to be so excellent
a concert that regret was all the
more keen that so few were pres
ent to hear 1t. In honor of the
special occasion. the Canadian
flag flew from the barge on one
side with the Stars and Stripes
on the other and the Canadian
and American national anthems
were played. George Ignatieff,
Counselor of the Canadian EN-
baSsy. representing Ambassador
Wrong, who was out of the city,
made an address. What he said
in his message of friendship and
greeting" was most heartening.
He spoke Of the close to 14O years
that your country and mine have
lived together in peace, neighbor-
illness and friendship. Many years
ago we learned to reject fear in
our relations and to live in mu-
tual faith and cooperation. In
these days Of international ten
sion and danger, our North Amer
lean partnership for peace as
sumes particular Importance"
OF Miss Marshall he said, "Her
voice, indeed. much more effec-
lively than mine, brings to YOU
the warmth and sincerity of Can
ada's greeting" The words,
warmth" and Sincerity" were
aptly descriptive of Miss Mar
shall's singing. She has a voice of
exceptional appeal and she makes
gracious use of it to define the
essence Of the music. It is flexible
and full-toned throughout a con-
siderable range and has, in addi-
ton, the sound of youth. Already
she is mistress Of a suave produc-
tion that presages q notable
growth with the years.
She infused her singing of the
'Leise. Leise," aria from Weber's
der Freischutz" with marked
feeling but the character of her
artistry and of her talent was
more fully displayed in the aria
from Handel's Judas Macca-
baeus" and his ooh Sleep, Why
Dost Thou Leave Me" from "Se-
mele." These, with Barber's "Sure
on This Shining Night" and
Heads "The Singer" were given
with piano Accomplishments by
Theodore Schaefer. It was charm
ing. poignant singing that won its
way into the hearts of the small
but appreciative audience.
Mr.. Wallenstein made two
changes on the program, playing
Brahms Symphony No. /" in
place Of his second and replacing
Strauss wine. Women and Song"
with the Prelude" to Wagner's
"Die Meistersinger." His reading
Of the Brahms was beautiful. It
was played with measured pace
and without the rough drama that
often is put into its more out
spoken moments. Mr.. Wallenstein
sought out the tender Brahms,
the man who cherished dreams in
his heart no matter what life de-
manded of him. The conductor
became q poet almost and every
phrase was touched with loveli-
ness.
The first movement expanded
gradually and with stately tread,