Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-05-20
CHRISTINE NILSSON.

CHRISTINE NILSSON.
To the public singer, more perhaps than
10 any other artist, sympathetic appreciation,
quickly and naturally manifested By the an
dience, ia everything. The painter and the
poet, il they have the courage that comes
from complete cJnsciou -ness OF their pecu-
liar gils may work on in the so'itude Of
their r'ul!es, emf !srt that What occ gensr-
alton refuses 20 consider another may give
righlful place among the immortal achieve
ments OF human genius and skill. The com
poser may be misunderstood, mIsinterpreted,
neglected; but his acore survives him, and
may yet be rendered to an sdniring world
by some musician who had not begun the first
music OF the cradle when It's author became
silent in the grave. Even the actor, though
his success depends largely upon sympathy
10 his audience is not under 30 great 0liga-
lions TO it as the singer, by as much as the
dramatIst aud the scene-palnier play more
important and observable part than the
composer. Words NAV express an idea, how
ever clumSily or coldly spoken; but the ex.
preston OF the more delicate and heeting
emotions and suggestions of song must be
created almost entirely by the singer, who is
all the while conscious thai unless they fall
upon sensitive and sympathetic ears, they
pass forever out of existence with their own
that:
Music, when. soft voices die, vibrates in the
memory"
But 1t Is only in the memory OF such souls
as have some responsive music OF their own.
The audience that exhibits the most SYM
pathetic appreciation gets the best music
There is no power in mechanical singing, and
the hearers will always feel It's lifelessness,
whether they understand its cause or not.
Singing may be said to fud it's level. Itcau.
not stir the naturs Of the nearer to any deeper
depth, or exzlt his enthusiasm 10 any higher
hight, than the depth and hight of The singers
own heart and soul.
From the nature of the case, there must be
certain amount of tediousDess or weariness
IN singing the sama piece many times over.
Yet cong which gives fitting expression to
any genuine emotion of the human heart,
Thich in any way arrives at that touch of
nature that ma kes the whole world kin, is one
of the most durable OF all things in art or
literature. And il must be remembered tha
each public rendering is an experience more
or iess peculiar to itself. Different audi
snces, different auspices, different stage COM
partnership, different arrangements for sound
and light and ventilation above all, the
ever-vsryiDg experience of ones own private
life, which may be wildly present to The
singer, Naiie hidden from the audience-all
these things have their effect upon the per-
torrance. Sometimes a singer is able, for
no apparently adequate reason, TO Guido, in
a marked degree, her efforts at other times.
At the least unexpected event, especially if
II be anything OF the nature OF dissppont-
ment, she may become hoarse, and her FOCAL
organs refuse 10 respond. II has been found
absolutely impossible TO train the voice suffl.
GENTLY 10 enable it 10 overcome such causes
of depression. Any measure of sadness i'm
mediately makes itself felt in The effort, and
mars the execution.
In my judgment, the American peoTle,
during the pact twelve years, have made
wonderful prosrcss in the power to appreciate
good music. They no longer accept foreign
artist, without question. 1t is true they will
go once to see or hear person who has made
noise abroad; because they have money,
and probably quite az much curiosity as
other people. But they will not continue TO
Patronize that which does not suit their taste
or commend itself to their judgment. So far
as my observation goes, the appreciation of
good music in the principal cities Of the
United States is fully equal TO that of the
European capitals. 1t il eviuced by deep
sympathy which is felt at the beginning of a
performances. 1u the Eastern and Middle
States, the audiences appear to have a more
deliberate Judgment, disposi'ion to consider
and compare, before committing themselves
to full approval; but the response i, hearty
snd cheering when it CONES. In the West
and South, it is quicker in its expression.
The musical cultivation and judgment of the
Americans are shown 10 prompt recognition
OF the best passages; they appear to reslizs
what is generally fine in the art. M Fart,
Beethoven, Meyerbeer and Wagner are as
thoroughly understood here as in European
cities, and the expression of appreciation is
stronger. Even in small places / have been
sgreeably surprised at The manifestations of
an Intelligent enjoyment Of classical music.
This state of things is probably owing TO
the fact that, in one sense, there is SO little
provincialsm in America. The Americans
are great travellers, and have unequaled fscil-
tiles for travel. They think nothing of go
ing from one end OF the country 10 the other,
whenever business, health, or ple'sure de-
mands it. And they remove their homes
from one section 10 another with almost
equal ease. They are at home everywhere.
Brothers and sisters live ia the most distant
parts OF the land, and scarcely realiz. that
they sre not near neighhors the consequence
is, that one finds substantially the same 70
ciety, the same Institutions, the same educa.
ton, and the same degree of refu meot in
Chicago, or St. Louis or San Francisco, a. in
&NcW 1OAhy DOslOu. II may
almost be said there is no intellectual me-
tropolis; and those differences in dialect,
which make sharp distinctions between PEG.
pie of neighboring countries and provinces
in Europe, are here entirely wanting
The abundance of wealth In the United
States, and the spirit of enterprise that does
not fear to invest il on Isrge sclle in any
worthy undertake., msy be seen in the
great nuub=r OF excellent halls and opera
houses, where muaicsl performances may be
rendered to the lest advantage. l have been
as we'll satisfied with the acoustic effects Of
the rooms in which have sung in Americs,
as with those of European cities. II wac a
surprise and delight TO find perfect gem of
an operahouse so far west "a Denver. The
Academy OF Music in Philsdelphis, l con-
slider second only, in acoustic properties, to
the Grand Operahouse at Vienna, which is
the finest in the world.
God has intrusted 10 me the gift OF melody,
and endoVed me also with an enhusi lsm for
its exercise. love to sing, aud Cannot help
it; it is my life and my enjoyment. But if
my auditors in America have received any
genuine pleasure from il, can assure Them
it is in great degree due to their own re-
sponsiye sympathy, which has made the ben
eft and the obligation mutual.