At the close of a recital by Reinald Werrenrath, the listener feels he
has something to carry away, a tangible impression, a real message. What
is the impression--can it be defined? Perhaps it is more the complete
effect as a whole that makes the deepest impression. The voice is always
agreeable, the diction so clear and distinct that every syllable can be
followed from the topmost corner of Carnegie Hall, so there is no need
to print a program book for this singer. Different qualities of voice
render the picture or mood more vivid, and all is accomplished with
perfect ease, in itself a charm. People settle in their seats as if
certain that a song recital by Werrenrath is sure to bring enjoyment and
satisfaction.
And Mr. Werrenrath has proven, through season after season of concert
giving in America, that he is filling his own special niche in the
scheme of the country's musical life; that he has his own message of
the beautiful--the natural--in vocal art to deliver to the people all
over the land, and he is accomplishing this with ever increasing ability
and success.
To go through a season filled with concert tours, such as a popular
singer has laid out for him, means so many weeks and months of strenuous
toil and travel. There may be a few brief hours or days here and there,
when he can be at home among family and friends; but soon he is off
again--"on the road."
Mr. Werrenrath is the sort of singer who is generally on the wing, or if
not exactly that, is so rushed with work, record making and rehearsing
for occasional opera appearances, that it is very difficult to get a
word with him. I was exceedingly fortunate however, one day recently, to
catch a glimpse of him between a Metropolitan rehearsal on the one hand,
and some concert business on the other. He entered the room where I
waited, tall, vigorous, his fine face lighted by a rapid walk in the
fresh air; he seemed the embodiment of mental vigor and alertness.