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Musical Courier 1927-01-06: Vol 94 Iss 1, 1927
71 lines. Read by computer on 29 September 2026. Printed page 8. See the scan on archive.org.
1MARGUERITE POTTER ACTIVE AS LECTURER AND COSTUME RECITALIST, TEACHER AND CLUB PRESIDENT
3Well Known Contralto Has Written Thirty-seven Opera Recital Programs, Many of Which Have Been Presented at Clubs, Schools and Over the Radio—Will Give Series of Lectures on Vocal Problems—Madrigal Club Aids
4Young Artists Secure Engagements
6"An artist with personality plus" was the first impression gained by the writer in interviewing Marguerite Potter last week, and after an hour's conversation it was evident that in addition she has constructive ideas on teaching voice and is thoroughly equipped for concert work. The interview took place in Miss Potter's attractively furnished studio in the Steinway Building, its interesting pictures, works of art and books creating a very harmonious atmosphere.
8It appears that one of the things musical in which Miss Potter is most interested is the Madrigal Club, of which she is founder and president. Much has been accomplished during the six years which have elapsed since the forming of the club, and even more extensive plans are in progress for the future.
10FOUNDER OF THE MADRIGAL CLUB
12"Our club," said Miss Potter, "is a little different from many others of its kind. It is not just musical and social. Its main object is to present worth-while young artists ready for public appearances before appreciative audiences able to help them secure engagements. You can readily understand, therefore, that these concerts are arranged for young artists and not for amateurs who want to appear in public. The audiences include not only professionals who are members of the Madrigal but numerous club presidents who are financially able to engage artists for musicale given by their organizations. Frequently they select their attractions from among our talent. We also have members who have entree into the theatrical field."
14"Do I understand that you confine the membership of your club to those who are taking up music professionally?"
16"No, not exactly, all those are eligible for membership who love music and the allied arts—those who contemplate a career—and also all professional musicians who are in sympathy with our aims.
18"Each year," continued Miss Potter, "the club gives a musicale and tea in honor of American composers, the affair being held at the MacDowell Club. Other activities for this season include a musicale and reception; two young artists concerts, each followed by a dance; a St. Patrick's bridge party; a recital at which I shall appear with an assisting artist, the proceeds from which will go toward our part-scholarship fund; and a breakfast and musicale at the Hotel McAlpin."
20HAS WRITTEN THIRTY-SEVEN OPERA RECITALS
22On the wall of the studio was an interesting photograph of Miss Potter in Indian costume which attracted the eye and led to the discussion of lecture recitals, in which the contralto has been unusually successful.
24"I have prepared thirty-seven different operas from German, French and Italian literature," said Miss Potter
26MARGUERITE POTTER
28"Rather than use the stereotyped methods of lecturing, merely giving an outline of the story, I make a free translation of the libretto. I do not make my lectures conversational affairs, but give the dramatic parts of the characterizations so that people feel that they have been to the opera.
30"Under the auspices of the Board of Education I have made many appearances in lectures of this kind, a few years ago giving about sixty a season. Shortly after Shanewis was written I gave this opera in lecture recital form before many women's clubs, universities, such as Columbia, and also over WEAF. At these recitals I have the assistance of a vocalist and sometimes of a violinist, as, for instance, in the Meditation from Thais."
32In preparing these programs Miss Potter spent much time in Europe gathering material. For her lectures on the Ring Cycle she secured there about one-hundred fifty unusually interesting pictures, which are flashed on a screen and are helpful in elucidating the story. Miss Potter does not analyze the music of the scores she presents, believing that by spending too much time on the motifs the real meaning of the opera is lost.
34COSTUME RECITALS EDUCATIONAL
36The contralto has arranged programs of Indian music, Songs of the Southland, Songs of Spanishland and a program of Scandinavian songs, all of which she presents in costume.
38"In preparation of the programs of the Southland," Miss Potter said, "I visited a number of reservations and other places to secure just the material I wanted. I do not give these programs merely as entertainment, but make them educational without allowing that fact to be too obvious."
40ALSO ACTIVE AS TEACHER
42Miss Potter does not, however, confine herself only to the giving of costume and lecture recitals. She also has appeared successfully in straight concert work. In addition, she is well known in New York as a pedagogue. During January a series of lectures will be given on Wednesday evenings at her studio on vocal problems. Miss Potter stated that for a number of years she had been searching for a method of teaching voice which, while scientific, yet would be simple and productive of good results. She now believes that she has evolved such a method and will give her ideas on the subject at these lectures.
44"Of course," declared the contralto, "I do not believe that every student can become a great artist, but I think all can be trained to sing reasonably well—they can gain vocal skill, their diction can be improved, and they can be given an understanding of what they are doing. I believe that a knowledge of languages is essential to a vocalist, and in my studio work I stress good diction in whatever language is sung. At these evening classes I shall sing myself and also have a number of pupils demonstrate my principles.
46"Teaching to me is most interesting; it may be likened to the task of a physician who has to diagnose the ailments of his patients. All pupils are different, and each case must be studied separately and treated according to the diagnosis. Many of my students start their vocal work in class lessons, at which, among other things, they learn to criticize each other and also to listen to themselves. By taking this course they are able at the end of six months to know whether they wish to continue their studies individually.
48"After receiving an invitation to attend one of the Wednesday evening lectures the writer took leave of Miss Potter, anticipating another pleasurable as well as profitable hour at the studio."
50Viola Klaiss Praised as Organist
52Viola F. Klaiss has been highly praised for the artistic manner in which she accompanies motion pictures at the Palace Theater in Philadelphia, Pa. She utilizes all the resources of the organ to faithfully portray the moods shown on the screen, accentuates the grotesque and characteristic bits and works up the finale of the picture to a fine climax. Her experience in vaudeville has been a great help in doing this. She has the ability to play jazz as well as legitimate organ music, and also understands how to play with an orchestra, which means the ability to give it support and body with combinations that blend and balance with the music the orchestra is playing.
54Miss Klaiss has appeared with success in the now popular organ novelties her personality and charm playing an important part in "putting them over." She was featured at the Logan Theater in Philadelphia all last season and at the Stanley Theater in Camden during the early part of this season. At both of these places she was featured in lights and was enthusiastically received at each performance. Miss Klaiss has the distinction of being the only lady organist featured in lights by the Stanley Company and the only woman to have played with an orchestra in that company.
56Miss Klaiss' pedal technic is just as fluent as her finger technic, for she uses two feet at all times whether in jazz music or legitimate organ numbers. She received her orchestra training under her father's haton, who conducts the own orchestra of sixty men. She has studied organ with Ralph Kinder for nine seasons, and her piano studies were pursued under the direction of the late Maurice Leefson, president of the Leefson-Hill Conservatory.
58Miss Klaiss, in addition to teaching organ, piano and theory, has won recognition for her photoplay work, having pupils come from different parts of Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey and as far south as North Carolina.
60This is Miss Klaiss' last season in Philadelphia, for she plans to take up her musical activities elsewhere beginning next year. She is under the exclusive management of Alf T. Wilton, Inc.
62Ernest Toy Has Long Tour
64Ernest Toy and Eva Leslie Toy, Australian artists, have just finished over seven weeks of touring through Wisconsin, Minnesota and North Dakota. They have been re-engaged by the University of Minnesota for at least twenty dates for next season and had the good fortune to have played in St. Paul and Minneapolis for eight engagements, one of these appearances being with the Grace Lutheran Church of Minneapolis.
66Rev. C. A. Wendell, of that church, said in a letter to their representative: "It has been my privilege to hear a number of world famous violinists, but I doubt if I ever heard Mr. Toy's superior, if indeed his equal. His mastery of the violin seems perfect and his interpretation is that of a master. Mrs. Toy is scarcely less marvelous in her way, whether she sings or plays the accompaniments for her husband. Her singing is decidedly 'something different' and thoroughly enjoyable."
68John McCormack Sings The Far Away Bells
70One of the most enjoyable numbers included in his Victor program, broadcasted over station WEAF on New Year's Night was the popular oadad published by Chappell-Harms, Inc., and called The Far-Away Bells. Mr. McCormack has also recorded this number for the Victor and it will be released within the next week or so.
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