OCR Text |
Show THE VOICE OF THE 8ING1CK. Marter Kavanaugh Capture the Heart or Ilia Hearer. The people of Salt Lako last evening enjoyed a musical treat such as has probably never before been heard in this city. It was the first appearance of Master Blatehford Kavanaugh in Salt Luke, and he was accompanied by Master Harry Hiinond, a lad only less talented than himself, and by Signer Enrico Campobello. Master Kavanaugh was greeted by an audience that was composed of the best people iu the city. The largo auditorium of the Grand Opera house was lillcd. Every lover, of true music was there. Tho young lad's reception partook of the nature of an ovation. Every number num-ber was encored by applause of tho most genuine appreciation. On one of his encores ho sang that sweet old ballad bal-lad "Annie Laurie," and for a time it seemed as though the audience would not allow tho programme to be completed. com-pleted. A perfect storm of applauso shook the house and he was compelled to come out again aud agaiu to bow his thanks to his admirers. Y'ouug Kavanaugh is a peculiarly pecu-liarly charming boy. Ho is a tall graceful lad. with a bright open face and thick curly hair, lie wore a dark suit, with wide col ar and bright red neck-tie. So modest was his bearing that the moment he stepped on the stage, he won tho hearts of every member of the audience. Many had doubted that he could fulfill the wonderfully won-derfully flattering promises that had been made for him. But when he sang his lirst number cn the programme, the house broke into a fury of applause. It was not alone the sweetness of the singers voice, his correct 'methods, his pel feet execution it was that soulful quality which brings tears to the eyes and makes strong meu afraid that they two going to eiy. Master Harry Uiinond, loo. received his share of the applause. IBs mastry of the violin aud mandolin is absolutely marvelous. It almost seemed impossible impos-sible that a lad of only fourteen years could draw such music from an instrument instru-ment that is wont to speak only when in the hands of a master. Histecuique, for a bov who has had only a few mouths training is something marvelous. marvel-ous. The violin, the king of all instruments, instru-ments, became his slave and gave forth melody that brought tears to the eyes of many of his hearers. The programme for tho first night was an unusually slrongone. It opened with a violin solo by Harry Dimond the ninth concerto of DeBcriot. Thisisa work that is heavy even for artists who have gone through long years of training. train-ing. The moment the bow touched the string tho audience seemed electrified, and they sat enthralled until tho last echo faded away. As the boy bowed to retire a storm of applause burst forth and he was compelled to again come to the front and play a c'larininglv simple melody before they would allow the concert to go on. Signer Campobello selected for his first number the Sorgete from Rossini's Mahomed II. He has a bass voice of remarkable re-markable fibre. It is full aud rich and as clear and melodious as a bell and the audience voiced its appreciation in prolonged applause. Master Kavanaush's first song was "Live Without My Euridiee." The wonderful pathos with which he sang brought tears to the eyes of a large part of his audience. But when tho persistent applause called the boy back to sing "Swannee River," ho possessed pos-sessed himself of the hearts of his hearers. He is a balladist of the highest high-est order aud sang with clearness of enunciation, a simplicity aud earnestness earnest-ness that deeply touched every hearer, "Swanee River" reached the hearts and the singers voice gave vein to memory and conjured up scenes almost forgotten forgot-ten of many an early home. The air fairly vibrated witli'applause aud the listeners would not be satistied until tho boy again came forward and bowed his thanks. A mandolin solo, "Bolero" by Chris-tel'aro Chris-tel'aro was so perfectly executed by Master Dimond, that he was hardly allowed to leave the stage. It was a revelation to the local mandolin players play-ers and tho lad was compelled to play again. Young Kavanaugh's "To Se-villa" Se-villa" was a piece which appealed to the intellect and musical culture of tho audience, but when as an encore, he sang "Annie Laurie" they were almost spellbound, Campobollo's "Village Blacksmith" can not be too highly spoken of. As an artistic effort it has not a peer nud as a song sang with genuine feeling it stands unrivaled. Master Dimond followed wilh a violin solo, "Les Melodies des Alps," that still further illustrated his marvelous technique. The last number on the programme was Kavanaugh's "Angels Ever Bright and Fair." It is placed last because people like to go away with the nieni-oty nieni-oty of it untouched by any subsequent eflort. None but a ' pure and elevated nature cau give to this song its highest expression. It was the supreme test of the boy's power. His whole soul went forth in the singing of the exquisite petition. Teaching alone could never have made him sing that music as he did. None bill a born artist could do it. Tonight there will be a complete change of programme. |