The Edison phonograph monthly (Jan-Dec 1916)

EDISON PHONOGRAPH MONTHLY, JUNE, 1916 Doings of Edison Artists THERE are few festivals of note in which some of the artists making Edison Blue Amberol records are not listed among the soloists. Edison artists recently have taken part in three music festivals, held in Newark, N. J., Ithaca, N. Y., and Paterson, N. J. Of the seven soloists who appeared in the eleventh annual music festival of the Cornell University Department of Music, three were Edison singers — Anita Rio, Paul Althouse and Arthur Middleton. According to the correspondent of Musical America, "Anita Rio delivered the music which falls to the part of O Mimi Sun with excellent effect, and she gave delightful evidences of artistic manipulation of tone in her delineation of the Japanese maid." The same writer stated that "Paul Althouse fully lived up to the expectations of his work, his beautiful singing tone calling forth enthusiastic applause." Arthur Middleton, noted the country over for his appearances in "Elijah," sang that role and was given an ovation. No less than four Edison artists appeared in the musical festival that marked the opening in early May of the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the founding of Newark, viz.: Anna Case, Merle Alcock, Christine Miller and Riccardo Martin. According to the correspondent of Musical America, "Merle Alcock, the popular contralto, evoked much enthusiasm by her singing. She was rewarded by prolonged applause and was obliged to give a number of encores." In speaking of Anna Case, the same critic stated that "she brought a wealth of tone and depth of feeling that immediately won the audience and she was given an ovation. She, too, responded to numerous encores." Miss Miller and Mr. Martin also made highly favorable impressions by their singing in Newark. In the Paterson musical festival Mrs. Alcock and Miss Case were numbered among the soloists. Francisco Acosta, a well known Havana musician, is negotiating with the management of Albert Spalding for an appearance of the famous violinist in the Cuban capital during the coming winter. Mr. Spalding appeared in Havana during the past season with Loretta Del Valle and Andre Benoist, and the trio made a profound impression. At the meeting of the State Federation of Women's Clubs, held in Anderson, S. D., on May 9, Reed Miller conducted a large chorus in his production of Henry Timrod's "Carolina." Mr. Miller, himself a Carolinian, has produced a stirring setting of the words of "Carolina." Julia Heinrich, whose metropolitan activities for the greater part of the past year have been confined to operatic appearances, recently gave a recital in Aeolian Hall, New York. She was splendidly received by a critical audience and she was given high praise by the professional critics. According to Musical America, "she seems more fully mistress of her resources to-day than a year ago and her voice is more responsive to the demands made upon it, more insinuating in quality. It showed beauties that were unsuspected in the opera house." "Long to be treasured in the memory of local music lovers was the recital given in the Grand Theatre last night by Christine Miller, contralto," comments the Fairmount, West Virginia, correspondent of Musical America on a recital recently given by this famous Edison artist. "Thomas Chalmers made a Tonio of low cunning, in acting and singing, worthy to be placed in the gallery of honor with Scotti's, ForselPs and Titto RufFo's," comments a Minneapolis paper on a performance of Pagliacci that was given recently in St. Paul, Minn. The Boston Opera Company, of which Thomas Chalmers, baritone, and Giovanni Zenatello, tenor, are members, closed for the season on May 6th, at Columbus, Ohio. Margaret Keyes recently gave a concert before a large and appreciative audience in Harrisburg, Pa., appearing jointly with Signor Bove, the Italian violinist. Mary Jordan, contralto, appeared recently at a concert given in Montclair, N. J., for the benefit of the building fund for a new hospital. Marie Kaiser was the soloist at the closing concert of the season given by the Albany, N. Y., Philharmonic Orchestra on April 18. Among the members of the Metropolitan Opera Company who have gone to Europe is Jacques Urlus, who will spend the summer in Sweden.