Local music history — Opera on the radio

The last was also the first when new Glens Falls radio station WGLN broadcast an opera program on March 15, 1947.

The performance of “Marriage of Figaro” 2 p.m. was the last Metropolitan Opera broadcast of the season and the first opera program to be broadcast on WGLN, The Post-Star reported that morning.

“The opera hour is one of the many famous ‘blue’ network programs which WGLN, as an affiliate of the American Broadcasting Company, will bring to local listeners, obviously with finer and clearer reception than was possible before.”

The broadcast was just 90 minutes after the station went on the air.

“It was 1230 on the dial and 12:30 by the clock when station WGLN broke its silence with the playing of the national anthem,” The Post-Star reported on March 16.

On March 16, WGLN broadcast the radio concert debut of vocal soloist Margaret Truman, daughter of President Truman, with the Detroit Symphony.

“To our new radio station, WGLN, listeners in this area are indebted for the excellent reception of Margaret Truman’s debut and also Mozart’s opera,” Post-Star music columnist Brunnhilde Decker McCune wrote on March 21.

“The possibilities of radio in the field of culture are tremendous…. By including in its debut two outstanding programs, WGLN has gotten off on the right foot. Congratulations to the management! May we hope for weekly broadcasts of fine music?”

Local music also was prominent in the program lineup.

The station had a Steinway grand piano in the studio for live local music broadcasts.

The short-lived station, affiliated with The Post-Star, merged in November 1949 with WWSC, which is still on the air in Queensbury, primarily now with a talk radio format.

In other music news collected from regional historic newspapers:

• On March 17, 1947, The Post-Star reported that Metropolitan Opera tenor Donald Dame would appear in the concert the following evening at Christ Church Methodist in Glens Falls.

“(He) is recognized as one of the outstanding younger interpreters of the standard Lieder and art songs. He has also distinguished himself for introduction into his concert program of much unfamiliar and unusual music.”

• The pressure was on for the choir at St. James’ Church in Lake George as the choir rehearsed a “very elaborate” program of music for Easter Sunday.

“There will, no doubt, be a large attendance on that day, as the people are anticipating more in the musical line than has ever been rendered hereafter,” The Morning Star of Glens Falls reported on March 30, 1888. “We trust that the choir will kindly consider the great expectations of the community and do themselves credit on that occasion.”

The subsequent review was somewhat favorable.

“The services in St. James’ Church were indeed joyous. We were happy to see a great attendance,” The Morning Star reported on April 4. “The music was creditably rendered by the choir, considering the inexperience of nearly all who comprise it.”

• The Morning Star reported on April 10, 1888 that the Citizens Drum Corps reorganized with 11 members — three fifers, six snare drummers, one bass drummer, and a drum major.

W.H. Capron was president and musical director.

• On March 22, 1947, The Post-Star reported that about 400 people attended a concert by the 60-voice Skidmore College Girl’s Chorus and program by “noted entertainer, pianist, music critic and author” Sigmund Spaeth to rise funds for the Hudson Falls Rotary Club student loan fund.

“Dr. Spaeth entertained his audience with his humorous presentation entitled ‘Music for Fun.’”

J. Walter Juckett, an executive with the Sandy Hill Corp., was master of ceremonies.

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