takes careful thought to see why. In order to win his
hearers, to get his work across the footlights, there are certain things
he must have, virtues he must possess. For instance,"--and the artist
counted them off on his finger tips,--"he must have Accent, Diction,
Characterization, and above all, Sincerity. No matter what other good
qualities he may possess, he must be sincere before anything else. If he
lack this the audience soon finds it out. There's nothing that wins its
way like the grace of sincerity. You see I give prominent place to
accent and diction. Whatever fault the critics found with me, they have
always conceded to me both these virtues.

"But time passes and soon the work of the night will begin. I trust that
our informal conference may contain a few points of personal experience
which may be helpful to those who are striving to enter the field of
opera." And with his pleasant smile and genial greeting, Mr. Johnson
closed the conference.

XVIII

=REINALD WERRENRATH=

ACHIEVING SUCCESS ON THE CONCERT STAGE

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