Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-09-29
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The 1susie,a ,,i,l1it ID 1-as -r1b1zIe. Nj
g.R- g. f1lssz--a. gives - Impressions
i Mile CHRISTINE SllssCz 81 >.e5n~2y
Hal, Mosd4y evening
II we Eagv Judge from outEaTd deDonstT4-
tons. the vast majority oi the TWO or three
thousand people who thronged Sielnway Hail
were not at all disappointed OF their exPecta-
tons When Mr.. Maretzek led the pTima
donna upon the stage they saw slight and
graceful figure, beautifully dressed IN white,
with few simple trimmings a green leaves
and white blossoms; FAR sweet lace,
charming smile, deep blue eyes. and the lsai
golden hair, which is the glory Q! tie North
ern women. She bowed gracefully before me
storm of welcome, bui with lIitie 9lscoEaPos-
ure which was not unpleasant 10 see ana l.ien'
after few notes of prelude from the oreAes-
ira, she burst into the Introductory TeltAiIEe Of
the "Angels ever bright and Fair" from Han
del's 'srheodora." For all the expectz iions-
the irst tones took us by surprise From ooe
SO Young, so delicate. We we're not prepared
for any thing like the volume and FIcanes. oi
sound which the first measures display Ell A.
the song went on, and from the stately pEs41'1e
she passed to the ethereal tenderness Of the
touching cid song, breathing oli IL i=os24'
and pensive strains with rare panty, ss-c~ pr
feet intonation, such Incompatible sDftness,
eur wonder grew that in this young 2lrI sDc-'a
thus be united cxcellences which il has seldom
been given the greatest singer 10 combine N
their highest perfecton-majesty, richness,
power, and delcacy like the breathing OF
gentle breeze. As a mere piece OF vocalisfh
the song was imperfect: as an Interpretation
of the composer no lover of Handel could ike
it; the phrasing was not always natural, ana
the sentiment was exaggerated. But 1t was
an admirable test of some of the best quail
ties of Mile. Missions phenomena voice, ana
are an indication of what exquisite effects she
must be capable of producing on stage where
heartfelt inspiration is less required and great
dramatic talent has better scope for its ex-
istence. The same extraordinary gifts OF voice
were equally well displayed in her second
piece, the mad scene of Ophelia from the
'Hamlet of Ambrosie Thomas; but in this
she showed more fully than in llandels song
the true refinement of her style, the extent OF
her vocal culture, and her marked talents as
an actress which not even the restraints OF the
concert-stage could wholly conceal. We can
imagine what an effect this scene must have
had upon the Paris stage, with its sudden al
terations of biiliancy and sorrow, the fine
pathos which overshadows every phrase, the
from earlier numbers of the opera, and frag-
ments of simple melody, such as the mad
Opheiia may have sung in happy youth. Yet
there can be no harm in saying that In Stem
way Hall the scene is very dull one. Atthe
opera it comes in the fourth act, and the pre-
ceding three are such unmitgated dolefulness
that Ophella wonld come like a vision from
the realm of the blest if she came singing
: nothing better than "Old Dan Tucker"
4 a shn
lacks the advantage of contrast with sur
rounding gloom. and suffers accordingly.
While its performance may have been rcllshed
last night by musicians capable OF appreciat-
ing the peculiar ability which it serves to dis
play on the part of the singer, it was far less
keeEly relished by the audience generally than
the Az fors e lni from LA Travata' which
closed Mile. Missions share of the pro-
gramme. 1t was in the part of Nioletta that
she won her first success both IN Paris and IN
! London, and we are not sure but we Ought 10
call this aria her principal successes OF last
night She was recalled, of course, after it
she was recalled, indeed, after all her pieces
and gave simple little ballad, singing it
very sweetly. Her participation in the rest OF
the concert was limited to her share in the
Spinning Wheel quartette from Martha.
1t is not difficult even after single hear
ing, to pronounce upon the secret OF Mile.
Missions success. She is young, she is beau
tiful, she is charming in her ways, and she
has one of the most exquisitely lovely voices
ever given to a woman. II is voice alto
gether exceptional. Its purity is perfect; its
quality is without a flaw its eyenness, from
the lowest tones Of the soprano register even
to those empyrean heights which Carlotta Patti
glories IN scaling, has 10 parallel within our
existence. There is not harsh, nor shrll,
nor husky note in its whole range. All is
texqnistely sweet, all is fresh and beautiful
as the singers own face. Her transition from
the upper TO the lower register are not always
perfectly managed, and as Il mere vocalist she
is certainly surpassed by many singers who
have visited this country but there can be no
question that she is an artist of very high ac-
complishments and almost unlimited capabli-
ties.