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William Warfield Returned Last Evening In Con And Held A Friendly Audience In The Palm OBy UBBIE POWELLWilliam Warfield returned to Hagerstown last evening and a large, warm, friendly group of people welcomed him back with open arms!Many remembered him for different reasons. Some had come in contact with him 20 vears ago when he was stationed in this area apd hadfollowed his career during this period. Some recognized him only from having heard him perform in the movies, on television, or onstage. Many were not prepared mentally for a performer of such classical style and launched only into ecstaey as he sang the more familiar negro spirituals or numbers from “Porgy And Bess*. But all “knew they were listening to a singer of the highest calibre, and respect was overwhelming.Perhaps one of William Warfield's biggest assets is his ability to communicate with his audience, to draw them to him with the deep sense of feeling he gives to his songs.His reverent stance, with hands folded, eyes closed, and his soul shining through in his song completely envelops everyone, and a silence so thick as to be absolutely stunning is his reward. The people first had to come out of a spell before they burst intoover-whelming applause.William Warfield held them in the palm of his hand last evening. Many felt he was by far the best singer ever to appear here on a concert series program. To listen to his rich deep voice of power as he literally brings it from his toes, to sense the deep inner meaning he gives to his song, to marvel at his polished technique and his knowledge of music, is to experience something out of the ordinary. It makes one realize here is a great artist indeed.Mr, Warfield opened his program with a group of numbers by Henry Purcell, including “If Music Be the Food of Love/'. ‘TH Sail Upon the Dog Star/1 “Since From My Dear”, and “Arise, Ye Subterranean Winds.Most interesting was bis second grouping by Franz Sehu« berf, “Der Doppetganger, or “The Phantom Double, giving forth a reverence, a quiet feeling of depth, sung as if it were a part of the artist's very being. So effective was the mood he created that there was a velvet stillness overall before the audience sprung into spontaneous applause. A livicr “Auf der Bruch translated, “At The Bridge followed, and a offering of exquisite beauty and soft serenity, “Night and Dreams'*. Here again one of the great assets of the singer ahone through tot bit diction hi any language haa been highly praised and It was especially noticeable it this time. “Flscberweise*' (Fiibemu’i Song) 1*der Feme (In The Distance) concluded this grouping.The rapport between the singer and bis accompanist, Warren Wilson, is complete providing an understanding background for his offerings and enriching the overall whole.The Catalogue Aria “Mada-mina from “Don Giovanni displayed not only the artist's vocal artistry but his acting finesse as well. The power that he put into this commanded respect and was sheer joy to hear.A group of French songs by Gabriel Faure1 comprised his opening grouping following in-termissioD “Autorane brought on a sombre mood: “Done ce sera par un clair jour d’ete (On A Summer’s Day), more soulful beauty; “Au bord de I'eau “At The Water’s Edge, and “Fleur jetec (Oh, Flower, Cast Aside), all portrayed, the wide range of beauty of a Matisse painting.However, the most commanding. the most intriguing, the most fascinating number heard during the evening was a song without words, “Saetas Profanas”. by John Carter. This striking vocalise was introduced by Mr. Warfield during his Carnegie Hall recital of February 14, 1965. It has a haunting range of sound, a wailing, a sorrowful mood, especially well controlled by the arusl. ft absolutely left one emotionally drained as this humming in various ranges reached a powerful crescendo, then plunged to the depths of sorrow, without a word having been spoken or sung. This was a tremendous offering and created quite an impact upon the listeners. In this number the composer expresses his feelings about the rather pagan picture any outsider might observe in a typical Spanish village during annual crucifix-bearing parades in which garishly costumed people comport themselves in anything but religious fashion. This came through as the famed singer offered it and was a stunning rendition, indeed-His “Halleluiah (Psalm 6G) was tremendous in its depth; but the Negro Spirituals arranged by Hall Johnson that followed just melted the audience. Communicating the feelihg of an oppressed race by the depth of feeling found m their music Mr. Warfield completely won with Give Me Jesus. “Let's Have A Union, “Heaven Is One Beautiful Place, and “My God Is So High. In the deep recesses of one's mind one is completely overwhelmed by this story.There was no doubt but that the singer knew he hart » friendly and appreciatve audience. Aplause was spontane ous and loud. He intwluced a bit of humor in his first en core* 'Mother Goose Rhyme. done In the style of Handel After another bud. insistent ■plash of admiration from hislisteners he again returned saying, “Would you like to hear something from Porgy and Bess?” and they literally screamed, “Yes, which is unusual from this more or less reserved audience. So, “I Got Plenty of Nothin’/1 was forthcoming, and still they wouldn't lei him go. So, as a final offering one of the numbers which will always be most associated with him after h i s famous “Porgy, 4!Old Man River, was sung/Everyone left in a wonderful mood. They could have listened more for he was now singing what they knew and understood most. But there fa a limit to their demands.Perhaps William Warfield will never quite realize what a truly warm heart the Hag-crstonians have for him. Actually, his visits here were comparatively few and his me. mories arc not too great. The Square still seemed familiar to him. but nothing more. But they remembered him, and consider him as one of their own. And they wfent away from the concert last eveningCub Pack 23Has Blue AndGold BanquetFUNKSTOWN - Cub Scout Pack 23, sponsored by the local elementary school Par* eni-Teacher Association, recently held its annual Blue and Gold Banquet.Jim Nave, cubniaster, presided over the event, which was held in the Funkstown Fire Hall. Attending as special guests were the Reverend and Mrs. Earl Koehler and the district commissioner from the Boy Scouts council and his wife, Mr, and Mrs. Marvin Wain wright,Also present were Trooper Thomas Mann, of the Maryland State Police, and his dog. Major von Wolfgang. Tpr. Mann explained to the 140 persons attending the function and purpose of the K-9 Corps.Sister Owls To MeetSister Owls, Nest 17S0, will complete plans tomorrow at 8 p.m. for the turkey dinner and installation of officers set for Sunday, February 13. The group will meet al its home on Anlirtam St.Beef Stew VarietyYou can add variety 1o your favorite beef stew recipe by serving it different ways. Served under a crust in a colorful casserole, it makes an attractive meat pie. Pour stew over biscuits for stew shortcake or over noodles- Stew and dumplings are good, too. Vary the vegetables you add to stew for additional interest
Newspaper Details
The Daily Mail
Hagerstown, Maryland, US
Wed, Feb 09, 1966
Page 4
Full Page
Clipped by
Anonymous
USA 13 May 2020
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