Charleston Daily Mail
Audience Charmed, Thrilled By Susanne Fisher's Concert
Talented Daughter of West Virginia Draws Praise in Home-Coming
Appearance
March 30, 1936
A native daughter of West Virginia sang her appreciation Monday night at the high school auditorium to an audience that had gathered to pay its respects to one who has attained a high record of achievement in the musical world - Miss Susanne Fisher.
Many who attended the concert did so, to a certain extent, perhaps, through curiosity. Miss Fisher, known widely in Europe and, lately, in the East for her appearances in the Metropolitan Opera, had not previously appeared in concert before a West Virginia audience.
Before she had finished her first number, the entrancing "Ave Maria," from "Othello," however, that inquisitiveness had been satisfied - her listeners realized they were in the presence of an artist the equal, perhaps, of any to which Charleston audiences have had the pleasure of hearing.
The concert Monday night, arranged by the May Festival association, was designed as a home- coming for the lyric soprano whose girlhood was spent at Sutton. She was introduced by Governor Kump as a charming, talented singer who has brought fame to this state. An air of informality warmed the atmosphere and attributed greatly to the success of the evening.
Part of Miss Fisher's concert was heard by her mother, a patient in the Hopemont sanitarium, through a broadcasting and telephonic transmission, and that, too, made the concert a little more touching. As the period for transmission came to a close, in the middle of the program, the singer spoke into the microphone: "Good night, mother. I hope you are enjoying this as much as I am."
Despite the handicap of a cold, Miss Fisher carried out her prearranged program in full and consented to several encores.
It was not only a singer who was heard Monday night, but a charming young woman whose graciousness was apparent in every gesture. The simplicity which marked her stage presence added much to the concert. This and the gestures of floral tributes, which were handed over the footlights, seemingly in an endless flow of beauty and color, were things that are not often associated with the appearance in Charleston of musical stars.
In a voice remarkably clear and controlled, Miss Fisher presented a delightful variety of songs, ranging from the classical to southern melodies.
In the first group, in addition to "Ave Maria," by Verdi, was "Pur Dicesti, Bocca Belia," by Lotti.
The next group included the "Jewel Song" from "Faust," by Gounod; "Claire de Lune," by Szule; "Chanson Norvegienne," by Fourdrain, and "Gavotte" from "Manon," by Massenet.
Following the intermission were eight short selections, "A Dream, "In a Boat," "The First Meeting" and "Good Morning," all by Grieg, and "In Dem Schatten Meiner Locken," "Der Gaertner," "Auf Ein Altes Bild" and "Er Ist's,' all by Wolf.
The last group included Stephen Fosters "Swanee River" and several other southern melodies; "The Four Leaf Clover," by Brownell and "The Cat Bird," by Clockey.
Encores included "Maiden Remember;" "Slumber Boat," and "Un bel di," an aria from "Madame Butterfly."
Miss Fisher's appearance here, those who heard her will say, was so pleasing that it is hoped she will soon return.