Books › Musical Courier 1928-12-13: Vol 97 Iss 24, 1928 › scan 46
Scan 46
Musical Courier 1928-12-13: Vol 97 Iss 24, 1928
42 lines. Read by computer on 28 September 2026. Printed page 47. See the scan on archive.org.
1December 13, 1928
3Carmela Ponselle Charms Anew
4Carmela Ponselle and Fred Patton, of the Metropolitan Opera Company, sang at St. Stephen's Church on November 25, assisted by Frances Flanagan, violinist; Emily Rairdon, cellist; Leona Burgess, harpist; Charles Salerno, violinist, and Byrle Appley, organist.
6On November 22, Miss Ponselle sang in Westerly, R. I., and also captivated her audience, as may be noted from the appended excerpt from the Sun:
8Carmela Ponselle, prima donna mezzo-soprano of the Metropolitan Opera Company, received an unusually fervent and prolonged welcome from a capacity audience when she appeared last evening at the United States Theatre, in the presence of the Westerly Opera Club.
10Taking as her introductory number Verdi's fine flowing melody, O Don Fatale, the soloist at once won her way into the hearts of the audience. Her rich, mellow voice became an instrument of great power in the effective, delicate dynamic changes, as well as of pure sustaining quality in the aria.
12The treatment of her shorter songs, which immediately followed, was equally skilled and tasteful, as she brought to their interpretation that note of authority which is the hallmark of the artist.
14Die Almira, by Franz Schubert, the last number of the group, was happily chosen, the audience being appreciative of the fine sense of feeling which prompted Miss Ponselle to sing it at this time, when all the musical world is observing the 100th anniversary of the great Viennese composer's death. Later, by request she sang Schubert's Serenade, with the lovely violin obbligato, played by Amy Eaton of Westerly.
16In O Mio Fernando, from Donizetti's La Favorita, Westerly music lovers had further evidence of Miss Ponselle's diversified talent, as voice and mood responded to the varied intricate and delicate shadings of this difficult aria.
18An instinctive appreciation of the dramatic, as she ran the whole gamut of emotions in her brilliant numbers, especially those from Samson et Delila, and Carmen, and the use of telling bits of pantomime showed that Miss Ponselle has already brought her art to that trinity so longed for by all true artists, perfection of form, a genuine unification of beauty and a vibrant vitality, a trinity where the mind, voice, and body are in perfect accord.
20The artist's personal charm, her spirit of gracious friendliness, with a very human desire to like and be liked, and her generous outpouring of self added greatly to the pleasure of her audience.
22In the concluding group of English songs, Miss Ponselle sang with sweetness, sincerity and charming expression, combined with an exquisite tone quality and artistic perception, factors which have been vital in winning her success.
24Victor Benham's Engagements
25Victor Benham, American pianist, who recently returned to this country after a prolonged residence abroad, during which he won many notable successes, is leaving for a tour of the Pacific Coast in January. After five weeks of intensive activity there he expects to go south, giving his first recital in Dallas, Tex., the middle of February. By being unsparing of himself in the matter of traveling he has managed to fit in two Chicago recitals, January 7 and February 13, and appearances in Indianapolis, Denver and other cities.
27Mr. Benham's success as a teacher has recently been emphasized by the splendid success of his pupil, Benno Franke1, who performed the Beethoven G major concerto with the Berlin and Vienna Philharmonic orchestras. If the master has his way about it, this young artist will be heard in the United States next season.
29A Short Biography of Helen Berlin
30Helen Berlin, violinist, a winner of the Walter W. Naumburg Musical Foundation prize, who gave her debut recital at Town Hall, has been a student of the violin since five years of age and has won many prizes previous to this latest accomplishment. After studying nine years with Herman Weinberg in Philadelphia, she was awarded a scholarship to study with Jacob Mestechkin; then a Juilliard Fellowship was awarded her for study with Paul Kochanski; in 1926 she won the Sesqui-Centennial prize for violin; and in 1927 she won the National Federation of Music Clubs' award. Miss Berlin gave a recital in Philadelphia in 1925. She was accompanied at her Town Hall recital by Pierre Luboszutz, and played the following program: Sonata, D minor, Brahms; Poeme, Chausson, Chants d'Espagne, Nin-Kochanski; and Tzigan, Ravel.
32Sittig Trio Announces New York Recital
33The Sittig Trio will give a recital on December 18 in the Plaza ballroom during the course of which a most unusual work will be heard, a work which is probably unknown to most New Yorkers. This is a set of songs with trio accompaniment by Haydn. They are Scotch folksongs, six of them with the following names: On a Bank of Flowers, The Glancing of Her Apron, Will Ye Go to Flanders, The Ploughman, Galla, Water, The White Cockade. They will be sung by Gina Pinnera, who is not Italian as the name would suggest, but comes from Virginia and is no doubt therefore able to sing the English words. Other numbers on the program will be a Trio by Brahms, songs by Schubert, Brahms and Bellini, a rondo brilliant for violin solo by Schubert, and a cello sonata by Eccles.
35ReschiglIan in Song with Pinnera
36Giuseppe ReschiglIan sang for the Beth Abraham Home for Incurables at a benefit dinner held at the Astor Hotel, New York, on November 11. With Gina Pinnera he was heard in the duet from Cavalleria Rusticana, in addition to which he gave the La Donna e mobile from Rigoletto, Lolita and Maltenata. The powerful and finely timbred voice and the spirited delivery of the tenor gave great pleasure to the assembled guests.
38On Sunday evening, December 2, Mr. ReschiglIan was soloist at the Jewish Center of Jackson Heights. His program included the complete first act of La Traviata, which he sang together with Cicile Lifter, soprano. There was also the quartet from Rigoletto, in which he sang the tenor part.
40Brailowsky's Orchestra Dates
41Alexander Brailowsky will open his season as soloist with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, and will, during the season, also play with the Los Angeles, San Francisco and Chicago symphony orchestras, and give many recitals. The success of this young Russian pianist since his first arrival in America three or four years ago has been extraordinary. Beginning with just a few appearances here at that time, he now has a full season. He is as successful in Europe as he is in America and since his departure from New York last spring he has traveled all over the continent and has played with most of the leading orchestras.
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