The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-06-04
MISS Won ELSNER'S DEBUT.

THE AMERICAN SINGERS FIRST APPEARANCE AT
DRURY LANE-HER GRAND SUCCESSFULLY
LIFE AND PROFESSIONAL TRAINING-PRIENDs
IN NEED--A SPLENDID REWARD.
LONDON, May 49, 1876.
Of American debutantes there Is no end, and, what
may be the English opinion concerning tho Ameri
can speaking voice, is beginning to he conceded that
the American singing voice is destined to command
dsting position There Is country rich in
pure contrallo voices our own, Adelaide and Ma
tilda Phillips, and Annie Louise Cary, who has just
turned Russian heads. possessing quality which, now
that the uncqualled About has retired from
tho stage, has not It's poor In Europe.
Sopranos sJogatos also being heard in
every direction. and you know the present London
season already records the debut OF three American
girls q. tho two great opera houscs The last took
place two nights ago. at Drury Lane and Mr. Mapleson
is to be congratulated upon securing tho OF
young lady whose voice and method admirable.
As In Miss Emma Abbot's case, It is the West that
gives London is last new prma donna.
Born in bloomington, Ill, OF u German father and
American mother Miss Won Elsncr passed her child
hood in her native place, and sang almost before
she spoke. Her father was professional
musician Of unusual versatility, and carly
taught his daughter to play on tho piano.
Gong TO Cleveland several years ago, Miss
voa Esner placed herself under the instruction OF Mr.
Undeuer, Spariard, whose method Is purely Italian,
whom she tho greater part Of her excellent
training Elmo as It's execution liz, Miss Won Els
ner's voice originally innexibIe ten months being
devoted acquiring the tr,lL Living IN Mr.. Undeuers
family receiving from her teacher exceeding kindness,
Mss Won Eisner supported herself by singing in
church Thus passed two years, during which time
she frequently appeared in tho concert room. Then
camo tho desire complete her studies in Europe.
Where to find the means? Americans tho most
generous OF people, and subscription started.
When tho list taken 10
A. HoUGu,
who had long been interested in the young singer no
said .sDcst,oy that papor, will pay all tho expenses
myself"
Thus noby aded, Miss Won Elsner sailed for Europe
with Mr. Undeuer eighteen months ago. and on arriving
in PARIS went to Nine vlardot MalbraD's sister, one
or the greatest lyric that lived and equally
great IN teaching. you've taught this girl WELL"
said Nine. viardot and the young Western
girl was at received pupil Dur
ing tho last year and half Miss Won Elsner
has studied the operas OF ..Don GIOVANNI
lie Nozzo d Flaaro,n "Mignon.n .Sonnambula,"
oI.ucia di Lammermoor' '.raust "Aida," ''IA
Travia,a," .Barbicre d Sevislia," srrovatorc,"
sMartha" and Roberto II cavoo." In point of
cution she Nine viardots best pupil ut the present
tme and as her voice ranges from below the staff to
above IT, gives her the opportunity OF display
ing that agility TO tho best advantage. Her power
quito equal that Of most light sopranos and viii
doubtcdIy with years and practice. The
quality Is even and good.
ENGAGED ny Mr.. MAPLRsOx.
Hearing Miss Won Elsner in Paris, Mr.. Mapleson en-
1sI.. h.
take was fully proved last Saturday night when Drury
Lano was crowded to witness the rentvee Of Nine
Nilsson IN Roberto II Diavoo." II was her fret ap-
pearancc in Alice these SIX years Tho role
sumed by tho debutanie. that Of tho Princess lisa
bella is unusually exacting for the that to DO
done perfectly requires as much dramatic energy and
passion iorid execution, and is not once In
fury that this extraordinary combination be-
found. The prima donna that sing "In vano ii
fator properly cannot do justice TO "Robsrto OBJ tn
che adoro," and nice wysa. Isabella does not appear
until the second act The young American was
KINDLY RECEIVED,
and tho moment she opened her mouth judges knew
that she could sing AT tho close OF her difficult
aria enriched by Nine v2rdors artistic cadcnzas shc
received tho hcartcst applause from audience OF
strangers Al the TAIL Of the curtain she warmly
called out isabella sing again until fourth
act Then comes the trying "Robcrt tot quo Jaime"
and hero MISS Won Elsner showed what inevitable on
a first appearance II was not In any way equal TO her
rendering Of the 1orid music, but had any
right expect that IL would be. Passion
comes with experience In acting Miss Won Elsncr
has to win her aures OF course There arc some peo-
pie in this world that expect debutante to be full
blown Jordan, or Siddons Grlsi They have never
made a debut, and don't know what an amount
Of courage 1t takes 10 face tho footights and got
through tho details OF part without thinking OF
expression. Mss Won Elsner was nervous ard
frightened as ought have been. and her second
appearance will be a great improvement her frat
An hour before Miss Won Elsner's enfree,
MnK viARDor
sent telegram wishing her sBon s1scces" kind at.
tention that the young girl fully appreciated
PRESS COMMENTS.
Here is what the ever friendly Daily Neaos says
The debutanic has soprano voice Of extensive CON-
pass and sufficiently high range. The above the
lines Is thoroughly ut her but tho persistent
attack OF the sharp beyond ATTENDED with con.
siderable effort The voice Ia OF clear and penetrating
quality and Is better adapted for the brilliant brayura
style than Tor the expression Of pathos aud sentiment
Mile Esncr possesses considerable powers OF fluent
execution, which successfully displayed In
tlons Of the second finale the delivery OF The cavana
..Robcrto oh, III cc adoro'' Robcrt toi que Jaime
having been somewhat deficient IN tenderness Among
the merits Of the singer may be specified nm exceedingly
good shnkc
VI course Mas Won Elsner will be criticised. Who
snty One critic speaks OF her method as German ra
Their than Italian. Don't you that. despite Juliet,
there's good deal In q name? Having German
name, tho debutantc have had German training.
Mmc. viardot Will feel compmcnted
HEa STYLE
Notwo singers could be more unlike than Miss Abb
bolt and Miss Won Eisner Tho FIRST has dramatic
instinct very strongly developed, and will excel In pre-
ciscy roles in which her compatrot will be
to the least advantage. Both have careers before
them
TILE DID AzIIIAN AYv