An Artist of Rare CultureBY S. E. WILSON
BY S. E. WILSON
“I have no genius; it is only patient, concentrated toil that gives me success.”—Sir Isaac Newton.
“I have no genius; it is only patient, concentrated toil that gives me success.”—Sir Isaac Newton.
It is with the deepest sense of pride that we introduce our readers to one of the most gifted artists of the Afro-American race, Mme. Estelle Pinckney Clough, of Worcester, Mass. Two years ago, on the 11th day of this month, Mme. Clough made her debut in grand opera. She achieved a great triumph in interpreting the soprano role of “Aida,” a production which was presented by the Theodore Drury Opera company in the Lexington Opera House, New York City. Relative to this appearance, the critic of the “Musical Leader” says:
“A performance of remarkable excellence was given by Theodore Drury and his associates, who revealed in a manner most astonishing what talent is to be found among the Colored people. “Aida” was sung and admirably sung by Mme. Estelle Clough of Worcester, Mass. She has a voice of wonderful range, and her high notes are so exquisitely sung that Melba herself need have no shame were she the possessor. The performance was a credit to all and a revelation to many who, like myself, had never seen anything of the sort before. The audience was very large and thoroughly appreciative.”
Last year the Drury Opera company gave a performance of Mascagni’s “Cavalleria Rusticana” and Leoncavallo’s “Pagliacci” at the Lexington Opera House for the benefit of the Home for Colored Musicians. Mme. Clough’s magnificent conception of the character of “Nedda” in the opera “Pagliacci” won immediate recognition. Her rendition of this role was marked by the display of intense emotional power, coupled with telling vocal capacity and expression.
Mme. Clough recalls with interest the singing tour recently made in Baltimore and Washington with the S. Coleridge-Taylor Choral society of Washington. Our artist sang the soprano roles in S. Coleridge-Taylor’s“Hiawatha.” There were 200 voices in the chorus and the music was rendered by the United States Marine band, under the direction of the composer of “Hiawatha.”
We have taken a rather extensive review of work far and near, but now we come home to ask the question whether or not a “prophet hath honor in his own country?” The proof in the affirmative is a matter of so recent date that hundreds of Worcester people are still discussing the marvellous ability of our accomplished musician. Concert by Mme. Estelle Clough. Mechanics’ hall, Worcester, Mass., Thursday evening, May 4, 1905, assisted by a number of talented artists: Mr. Paul C. W. Dufault, tenor, New York; Miss Marion Ward, violinist, Nashua, N. H.; Mr. Ernest S. Valva, flutist; Miss Blanche Kenerson, pianist and accompanist Miss Gertrude Gallagher, pianist; Mrs. Emma La Bonte, alto; Mr. C. Sharp, tenor; Mr. W. Ryan, basso, and a chorus of 40 ladies.
MME. ESTELLE PINKNEY CLOUGH
MME. ESTELLE PINKNEY CLOUGH
MME. ESTELLE PINKNEY CLOUGH
More than 1500 persons listened with pleasure to the program so well arranged and including some of the most ambitious numbers which are includedin the repertoire of a soprano.
In referring to this concert, the Worcester Post says: “Mme. Clough achieved a distinct success. Her high and resonant tones, flexible and sweet, were heard to advantage in every part of the hall. Her selections were: “Ocean, Thou Mighty Monster,” from “Oberon,” Weber; “Indian Bell Song,” from “Lakme,” Delibes; “The Nightingale,” from “Les Noces de Jeannette,” Masse, and “The Sea Maiden,” Smart.
Her handsome stage presence, her stunning gown of black velvet cut decollete and en train, with necklace of rare pearls and crimson roses in her hair, made a most attractive picture as she stood and received the prolonged applause that is seldom accorded even to a festival singer. She was presented many beautiful bouquets and was forced to return again and again.
The Ocean aria calls for careful management of the vocal organs and this was not lacking. The Indian bell song showed the flexibility and staccato power of her tones which imitated the sounds of the bell at even. The Masse aria, with flute obligato by Ernest Valva, was a number few sopranos would dare to attempt for the contrast between flute and voice would be only too noticeable if the voice should fail to be of the pure quality demanded by the writing. Mme. Clough sang like the nightingale and the hall resounded with applause.
In the “Sea Maiden,” she was assisted by the chorus. This song has been given in Worcester before only by festival artists. The Masse aria has been sung here but once before, by Mrs. Tryphosa Bates Batcheller. The remarkable high tones of the singer last night were noteworthy. Few are ever heard that can so easily reach and sustain high E flat. Altogether, Mme. Clough and her teacher, Mme. Maria Peterson, were fully deserving of the congratulations bestowed upon them by numerous friends and musical people after the concert.
Mme. Clough says that her success is due in no small degree to the inspiration and encouragement given by her most devoted friend and teacher, Mme. Maria Dorothy Peterson, of Worcester, Mass. Mme. Peterson is one of the great European vocal instructors and uses the real old Italian method, having imbibed it from no less an authority than Jenny Lind. Mme. Peterson is a most noble-hearted woman and she impressed me deeply when she said, “I have much in store for Mme. Clough, but it would necessarily mean a European tour. What I do in her interest is for the race. When one rises, others must unwittingly do the same.”
Madame Clough’s thorough knowledge of elocution and dramatic action was gained from the well known, conscientious instructor, Mr. Joseph M. Bergin, also of Worcester.
For a number of years Mme. Clough was a successful teacher on the pianoforte. Thus, being a thoroughly trained musician, she not only has a large number of pupils in vocal culture but also in instrumental instruction.
My dear readers, do you not realize that it is the accomplishment which demands recognition? The world is seeking for the person who can do something to uplift or elevate humanity. If you have a talent, cultivate it. Work hard and work faithfully. The quotation from Sir Isaac Newton which precedes this article is Mme. Clough’s favorite motto and she has a copy of it in a conspicuous place in her studio, where she may often read it and likewise her pupils:
“I have no genius; it is only patient, concentrated toil that gives me success.”
The progress of civilization, the moral and intellectual improvement of society, as well as the psychological enlightenment of the world at large attests increasingly to the value, the justice and the worth of common education for all members of the body politic in whatever station or of whatever condition they may be found or to whatever race they may belong.
Governor W. D. Jelks of Alabama last week appointed Herschel V. Cashin, a Colored lawyer of Decatur, Alabama, notary public. He, Warren Logan of the Tuskegee Institute, and possibly one other, are the only Colored notaries public in the state.