Books › Musical Courier 1928-09-06: Vol 97 Iss 10, 1928 › scan 19
Scan 19
Musical Courier 1928-09-06: Vol 97 Iss 10, 1928
79 lines. Read by computer on 29 September 2026, twice; the two readings disagreed in places. Printed page 20. See the scan on archive.org.
1Ralph Thomas' Career
2His Opera School in Dayton, Ohio, Offers Many Advantages to the Aspiring Young Artist
4With the increasing popularity of opera, it is of interest to learn that Ralph Thomas, tenor, in conjunction with his opera school, is to present a season of opera in Dayton, Ohio, during the coming winter. On May 9 of last year Ralph Thomas presented La Traviata with full orchestra, costumes and scenery. The opera was given in Memorial Hall, Dayton, Ohio, to an audience of approximately three thousand persons whose applause is said never to have been exceeded by any Dayton opera audience. The entire cast was composed of the advanced pupils of the Ralph Thomas Opera School. With the brilliant chorus work they showered themselves with glory, and the press was unanimous in its praise. The coming opera season will not only provide Dayton with music, but also will be a means for talent, undiscovered and in the first stages of budding, to be given a chance in the professional field with possibilities of a career. This, in itself, is a boon to the American singer, for, needless to say, the usual process of making a debut is one which requires much money, and many times the proverbial "pull."
6Ralph Thomas is experienced in opera. He realizes that not only must the voice be perfected, but also that every detail of the singer's personality must be under strict scrutiny. The knowledge for this work comes only through experience and carefully detailed schooling. Mr. Thomas has always kept his art foremost in his mind. Starting to study at the age of fifteen years, he received the usual grammar grade and high school education and entered the University of Cincinnati, taking a special cultural course. He then enrolled at the College of Music in Cincinnati. He was regarded at that time as a promising pupil, and of all the male students he was chosen to sing at the exercises attending the graduation. After completing his work at the college, arrangements were made for him to appear with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Ysaye. The hall was crowded for the debut of this young singer. After his first number he was applauded with enthusiasm, and after this had subsided the famous Belgian conductor gave direction to the orchestra and a ringing fanfare followed, as an expression of appreciation for his work. After the concert Mr. Thomas received a letter of praise from Ysaye.
8Perhaps the inspiration from this great man was the keynote for his later successes. He went to Chicago, studied with prominent teachers for two years, concertized, and, after receiving much practical experience in all branches of singing, went on to New York. Again he placed himself in the hands of reputable coaches and appeared on Broadway in several productions. Even a tour of vaudeville was included. He has never missed an opportunity to gain worth-while experience. He then answered his country's call for volunteers for the World War and was immediately used for the work of raising Liberty loans. After the Armistice was signed he sailed for Europe and lived there for four years, preparing for his career of opera. He made his European concert debut at the Salle Gaveau, Paris, with a packed house, an excellent demonstration of enthusiasm, and scores of floral tributes from his many admirers. Glowing accounts of the affair were published in the press. The tenor then went on to Italy, placed himself under the tutelage of coaches, made a successful debut, and with the help of his expert knowledge of the Italian language soon won himself a place in the hearts of the Italian people. He returned to America, saw the possibilities of an institution of opera in the Middle West, and opened the Ralph Thomas Opera School in Dayton, Ohio, with Don Beck as his personal manager and manager of the school. Mr. Beck, with his intuition, imagination, business sense, and foresight, has added to the financial status of the school, and his advice has been invaluable. Mr. Beck works between Dayton and Chicago, and maintains his promotion work in such a manner that qualified students of the schools are placed in worth-while positions.
10Mr. Thomas is a self-made man. He received his call to sing when but a lad herding cattle on his father's ranch. He has held steadfastly to his ideal and purpose, and should be able to give to others that which he himself has won by his own efforts.
12Cecelia Hollander Honored
14Cecelia B. Hollander, who has been sojourning in Europe for the past several months devoting her time to the study of music and vocal training with the masters of music in Germany and Italy, was signalized honored by being invited as the guest of Garibaldi's granddaughter at her summer home in Tivoli where she was hostess to about fifty of the high officers of the Italian Army.
16Miss Hollander is studying with Pier Tirindelli and Car-
18For the past three seasons, as Josephine Forsyth, Mrs. Myers has been winning the commendation of press and public both as singer and composer. Her unique recital entitled Lyric Thoughts of Twilight has been presented with success before leading musical clubs in many cities.
20"Introduction"
21By Mme. Gardner Bartlett
23(The following Introduction was read by Mme. Gardner Bartlett at the beginning of a Demonstration Recital of her pupils, June 26, at Sandusky, Ohio.—The Editor.)
25Human nature grows to distrust the natural rather than the unnatural. If a person is natural, he is immediately put under suspicion. If an artist possesses originality, expect jealousy. And should one reach success, then look out for numberless enemies. The fight is on. In the art of singing we are confronted with these facts, for the singing voice is a part of the great principle by which we live and are controlled.
27The most natural expression of man (song) has been so commercialized as to lose its naturalness. It has been made unnatural, hence the results we are hearing in general today. The would-be singer has no idea of his own natural singing tone. Those who reached great heights in the Golden Age of song—through their own precepts—are now dead, so that the ear is left without standard instruments, excepting through the man-made piano, violin, etc.
29Occasionally there is a person born conscious of tone. But even this rare gift does not carry him all the way in his career. There must be actual knowledge of what to do—or rather what not to do—in order to allow nature her freedom, or involuntary act, before the physical self can destroy natural tone. The instrument upon which we sing is the only one God ever made. That is why we speak of song as the Divine Art. As this voice-box is not objective it must be played upon by a mental key, the results of which are mental-spiritual—naturalness overcoming unnaturalness—with inspiration as our muse.
31More Praise for Vera Curtis
33This has been a busy summer for Vera Curtis. She was given an enthusiastic welcome recently in Cincinnati where she made nine appearances within three weeks, doing three performances each of Venus in Tannhäuser, Sieglinde in Walküre and Santuzza in Cavalleria Rusticana. In addition to her singing, Miss Curtis taught a master class in Hendersonville, N. C., and was so successful that she will return there next summer for a longer period.
35Miss Curtis' Sieglinde met with its usual success, the critic of the Enquirer saying: "Forrest Lamont was Siegmund and Vera Curtis Sieglinde. They worked together excellently and reached several climaxes with vigor and vocal purity." The Commercial Tribune, too, was warm in its praise: "Vera Curtis repeated her success of last year, handling it superbly throughout. Her second act was particularly well done. She sings with variety of tone quality and phrasing and reaches dramatic climaxes at times which are especially stirring." The Times-Star called her a "commendable Sieglinde" and the Post said that she "held the interest of the audience."
37Miss Curtis sang Santuzza for the first time, reaping this tribute from the critic of the Enquirer:
39"Vera Curtis, appearing as Santuzza, in perfect voice and giving to the role all the emotional expression it requires and a great deal more than it usually receives, carries her audience irresistibly. She gives to the part a human touch that is appealing in its intensity."
41The German Free Press wrote: "Vera Curtis, as Santuzza, distinguished herself. Miss Curtis had never appeared in the role before, and yet gave a most convincing Santuzza, both vocally and histrionically."
43A PLAN for Artist Concerts in YOUR City! one of two readings
44Known as the one of two readings
45"Civic Music Association Plan" one of two readings
46Now operating with Financial Success in over One Hundred Cities one of two readings
47CIVIC CONCERT SERVICE (Inc.) one of two readings
48DEMA E. HARSHBARGER, Pres. and Gen'l Mgr. one of two readings
49Ward A. French, Vice-Pres. and Field Mgr. one of two readings
50Auditorium Tower Chicago, Ill. one of two readings
52(no line here) one of two readings
53ITHACA CONSERVATORY and AFFILIATED SCHOOLS
54Announces the Engagement of
55ADOLPH PICK NOTED TEACHER, ARTIST and CONDUCTOR (Formerly of Berne Conservatory)
56as Master Teacher of Violin and Head of the Violin Department
57"That Admirable Master of the Keyboard" OSCAR ZIEGLER as Head of the Piano Department and Master Teacher of Piano
58Address – – – – – – – The Registrar, 18 De Witt Park, Ithaca, N. Y. (Photo by Strauss Peyton) OSCAR ZIEGLER
60MYRNA SHARLOW
61Donald PIRNIE
62ROSENTHAL
63"Greatest of the Virtuosi, he is also Poet and Profound Musician."—Chicago Herald-Examiner
65AMERICAN SOPRANO
66In America 1928-29
6750 West 67th Street
68Tel.: Susquehanna 9490
69BARITONE
70Available for Concerts and Oratorios
71NOTE—Oratorio a Specialty
72Management: R. E. Johnston
731451 Broadway, New York City
75Celebrated Pianist
76Management: R. E. Johnston
771451 Broadway, New York
78Knabe Piano Ampico Recordings
The computer misreads some letters and numbers. Where a name matters to you, read the scan.