The following is an article from a newspaper called Cloverland. The article appeared on p. 18 of the August 1919 issue. (A letter originally published with this article appears at the end of the article, below.)
Miss Borghild Braastad of Ishpeming, Michigan, may rightly be termed one of the most talented and versatile artists appearing before the music-loving public of today. Gifted with a voice remarkable for its purity, for the fresh translucent beauty of tone, for the superlative command of all legitimate means of variety of expression and an inherent artistic temperament, Miss Braastad has met with flattering success in her many appearances in recital, concert and oratorio.
Miss Braastad was born in Ishpeming, where she attended the public schools of the city. She is the daughter of the late F. Braastad, one of the most prominent business men of the Upper Peninsula and who was elected treasurer of the State of Michigan in 1891. Mr. Braastad also served as mayor of Ishpeming several terms.
Miss
Braastad studied voice at the Northwestern university for two
years with Miss Alta Miller, who immediately recognized Miss Braastad's
talent and was responsible for having given her such excellent
preliminary training and encouraged her to go to New York, where
she studied with Sergie Klibansky, the noted teacher of voice,
and Maurice LaFarge, a celebrated French coach, and other teachers
of note.
While at Northwestern university, Miss Braastad won the distinction of being selected for the A. Capella Choir during her first year at the university. This was an unusual honor, in fact the first time in the history of the organization that a first year student was accepted as a member. After finishing her work at Northwestern, Miss Braastad went to New York. The successful young soprano is enthusiastic in her praise of Sergie Klibansky, under whose care and guidance her voice has improved and developed to its present state of perfection.
In writing to Mr. Lind, Miss Braastad's manager, Mr. Klibansky said: "I am greatly pleased to hear that you are arranging a tour for Miss Braastad. I consider her voice one of the finest lyric sopranos before the public today. She is thoroughly experienced in concert and recital work, and I am certain you and your patrons will be delighted with her singing."
Miss Braastad's voice has always been a beautiful one and the finest of teachers has made it one of the most beautiful now to be heard on the concert stage. -- N.Y. American.
Miss Braastad possesses a clear, lucious voice and knows how to interpret her songs. In addition to two groups in English, Miss Braastad was heard to excellent advantage in several songs in Norwegian. The audience warmly appreciated the artistry of the talented young singer. -- Musical America.
Copy of letter from Dr. Lautner, Acting President, Northern State Normal School, Marquette:
July 11, 1919.
Mr. C. L. Lind
Ishpeming, Mich.,
My Dear Mr. Lind:
On behalf of the enthusiastic audience that greeted Miss Borghild Braastad and Mr. George Roberts in the recital given last evening I wish to thank you for giving us such an exceedingly enjoyable entertainment.
It is rare indeed that a Marquette audience has responded so quickly and enthusiastically as did the people gathered in the Normal Auditorium last night. The almost vociferous demands for repeated encores proves the captivating power the performers had over the audience.
Sincerely yours,
J.E. Lautner,
Acting President.
to
the Braastad Family page