The Richmond Virginian

JOHN McCORMACK AT
CITY AUDITORIUM FEB. 24

"A phenomenal figure in the modern world of art is John McCormack. At a time when many managers of amusement enterprises are wringing their hands and crying aloud with bitter voice that the winter of their discontent is freezing the marrow in their bones, Mr. McCormack makes his way to Orchestra Hall to give recital there--this occurred yesterday--and lo, so vast a gathering appears in this place that every seat is packed with palpitating listeners and throngs must be accommodated on the stage.

The hero of this occasion could write an instructive and a convincing thesis upon the delicate art of making success in music. Yet the recipe can be boiled down to six words, Mr. McCormack, if we have read his career aright, would say: "Give the people what they want."

To be sure, it is not always easy to tell what the public wants, but the giver of this recital discovered long ago what it wants from him, so Mr. McCormack travels through the various continents of the earth, and gold is heaped up in his coffers and the applause of rapturous multitudes rings forever in his ears.

When the Irish tenor is singing in some other place earnest connoisseurs regret probably that he does not interpret more of that variety of art which is rather invidiously termed "good music." When he is singing to them they would feel sorry if he did, and they thank Providence, secretly, it may be--that there is one man, at least, who, inhabiting the earth, can pour into the cup of song that ineffable balm of sentiment, that rich blend of humor and poetry which make Irish ballads unique in the music of the world.

The program which the Irish tenor offered yesterday was not made up entirely of songs from Hibernia. It ranged from Oratorio to Grand Opera and included French and German songs. A splendid illustration of the beauty of the concert giver's vocalization was afforded in an air from "Mignon" and in the familiar "E Lucevan le Stelle" from Puccini's "Tosca."

Special mention should be made of his stirring singing of "The Minstrel Boy." We never have heard that ballad interpreted with feeling more moving, or with vocal skill more fine. Nor should there be omitted a testimony of admiration to Mr. McCormack's clarity of enunciation. It was a lesson and an example to every singer who listened to his art."