Evening star., 1953-01-19
News Of Music
By Alice Eversmon

SNbhSS
Walter Pidgeon, just back
from Korea to be master Of cere-
monies for the gala Inaugural
concert given by the National
Symphony Orchestra last night
in Constitution Hall, voiced the
sentiments of the large audience
in his opening remarks. Speak
ing of President-elect Eisen-
hover and Vice President-elect
Nixon, whose names headed the
program planned in honor of
their Inauguration, he said:
"Give thanks to God for giving
us these two gentlemen. Give
thanks to God for giving us peo-
pie who had the foresight to
choose these two gentlemen"
This was the one serious mo-
ment in an otherwise gay eve
ming. Mr.. Pidgeon said that
reading these names so promi-
nently displayed "sent chills
down his back" for the fabulous
job" put on 1.-TWO pair of human
shoulders He recalled that
Sunday night in his home meant
a visit to church to pray and
give thanks for blessings. He
asked the audience to remember
to give thanks"
First Public Function.
The concert by the orchestra
led by Howard Mitchell and with
Jeanette Macdonald, James
Melton, and Yehudi Menuhin.
violiniSts, as soloistS was the
first public function of the
inauguration. Many visitors to
the city were in the audience and
greetings were exchanged as
friend met friend. Some who
hoped to hear the orchestra
were disappointed. They arrived
at the hall with receipts for their
ticket money but no tickets.
None were to be had at the box
Office for the Inaugural Concert
Committee had them in its
charge. A few were willing to
wait and take what seats were
available but others left dis
gruntled. 1t was not an easy
evening for the hall manage
ment.
James Melton Sings.
Yet the festive spirit was not
affected by the behind-the-
scenes occurrences. Mr.. Pidgeon
had apt stories on hand as he
introduced the artists and James
Melton had the audience laugh
ing as he came on carrying a
hugh pink elephant. Mr.. Pidgeon
hurried off stage with it as the
Metropolitan Opera tenor began
to sing. His choice of the aria
"Tombe degli avi miei" from
Donizetti's Lucia di Lammer-
moor" and "Harlequin's Seren-
ade" from Leoncavallo's "Pag-
liacci" showed his voice to ad-
vantage. But the applause
doubled when he sang Lehar's
"Yours Is My Heart Alone" as
encore
The local Symphony patrons
could have been proud of the
fine playing of the orchestra.
The Overture to Beethoven's
"Egmont and Barber's "Adagio
for Strings" we're presented with
finesse and rare beauty of tone.
The latter divided the appear
ance of the two singers and
when Mr.. Pidgeon. after some
personal "reminiscences, called,
"Where are you, beautiful one?"
Miss Macdonald made spec
tacular entrance. She was dressed
in a sheath-like white satin
strapless gown embroidered in
brilliants which set off her red
gold hair.
Duet Sung.
It was no fault of Miss Mac
Donald that the "Depuis lie
jour" aria from Charpentier's
Louise" and the waltz Aria"
from Gounod's Romeo ct Ju-
1iette" came out in miniature
form for her voice has not the
volume or carrying power for
operate effect. They were sung
with finish, however, as was
Delibes' LES Files de Cadiz". i.
given as encore. She was joined
by Mr.. Melton for the duet.
Twill You Remember" from
Romberg's "Maytime," and
make Believe from Kern's
"Showboat" listed for them on
the program. had to be sung
also Mr.. Pidgeon said the
change was made because Miss
Macdonald was not sure of the
words but would be prompted by
Mr.. Melton. A bit of nonsense
followed when, in the soprano
portion. the tenor whispered in
Miss MacDonald's ear the text
which she apparently knew quite
well.
The post-intermission appear
ance of Yehudi Menuhin in Men,
delssohn's Concerto in E Minor"
formed one of the high spots of
the program. In spite of some
erratic changes of tempt, the
noted violinist played brilliantly
and astounded further by his
virtuoso performance of the
prelude" from Bach's Sonata