Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-03-05

I'll NJ OlOI A1Oh>
Signor Novara.
serenataI''Ds yerf indarno. F" tRomeo Gull. ILL., md
. ... j Mi,e; i, TsSSIi; r.m no..,n,
Roman.a-.Non e'gsr' S't .. Matted
Cavatina-.'Penss ala Pstris, - Italiana in
AserD..Miiiii;F Mile F.bbri '''''' Ao's'o'
Trio-..Troncar quei d. cGuglielmo TelD
signor Guile, sisnor Del Puente and
h'n0 Madame Xdelin. Patti. -'Ae'
Taren'eas s,rnor "a ,pps Bel Pu.nie. 'no''''
Aria-.cielo Mar'' 'i tLs disconda). Ponchieln
Signor Guile.
PART H.
Selection from acts I and II Of
Rossini's Opera Tin Cos tumes).
''semirsmide."
o'ef'uie Orchestra. :"
Cavatina-..Eccomi slhne in Babil0nia."
~ '''''' Mile. iTabbbri.
Duetto-..D'un tenero amore," tArsace and
ASSN Mlaie. Fa6bri and sisncr Hovara
Ari'-bs raEEG s%ha%lass Sdelins Fsss
Madame Patti and Mile. Fabbri.
Ancient but Enjoyable.
Beyond noting its strongly Rossinian
makeup, the programme calls for no par
ticular comment. The precious old pieces
that our fathers and mothers admired ought
to be good enough for us to-day, when given
frankly on their own merits. There
was throughout the evening the
familiar flavor of the traditional Italian
operatic concert Of course, the scenes from
''Semiramide" (from act only constituted
the merest pretense of an opera performance.
On the surface there were costumes, set
scene and little action; but it was
hollow, utterly destitute of even that dra-
matte interest which genuine performance
OF this opera is wont to possess. 1t would
be much more artistic to give the music
without the operatic pretense, which, how
ever, probably deceived nobody.
All the artists have been heard here from
time to time in the past, except Miss
Fabbri. She displayed an exceedingly
powerful contralto, of rather a rough,
coarse texture, but of good range and fair
ae1ibility. An intense personality was
clearly evident in her manner Of singing,
aiding her to produce effects which. If
somewhat sensational, were highly appre-
ciated by the people.
Mr. Novara's once noble bass voice
showed signs of hard usage, but was ham
died skilfully and with artistic sincerity as
of yore Mr.. Del Puente's rich baritone
was in fine trim. He was at his best in the
two encore pieces, Randegger's song La
Stella" and the Toreador's song from
Carmen"
Guile Divided the Honors.
MI. Guile was the star of the evening
next in brilliancy to the chief luminary.
He has never sung better in this city. To
his credit are to be placed two of the
finest numbers of the evening, which
he gave on encores: song "Stances"
and Arditi's Cavalier Noir," with cello
obligati. Mr.. Arditi himself deserves
praise for the smooth and generally effective
PLAYING that he ELECTED from the orchestra
of IS instruments
Of Patti herself little can be said on this
occasion at all differing from the superla-
tive praise that has been invariably show
cred upon her for 40 years past. There are
several very high tones that she used to e0,-
ploy that she does not strive for now, and
there. were one or two points at which
she seemed nearer to forcing her
tone than of old.
But that voice in the throat of girl just
out of her teens would to-day inevitably be
acknowledged one of the best known. It's
limpid purity, its luscious richness, its per-
Iect eVenuesS throughout anu us
phenomenal fexibility and ductility
these qualities are practically unimpaired.
PATHS voice is still vastly more than the
beautiful remains of past glorious exist
ence.
And her art! Within her own school
and judged by its standards, her vocal
art is beyond all praise. She has
that consummate art that conceals
art. Never was this more clearly
shown than now, when she more than ever
needs all the resources of vocal art to make
the greatest effect with the least wear and
tear of her golden throat. Her singing is
the best kind of a lesson to aspiring
vocalists. 's-s. '''aSrI
All this technical proficiency is worked
into the warp and woof of the music she
sings as spontaneously and naturally
as bird carols. Singing but
seldom and always the same reper-
toire, Patti has every nuance of phrasing,
every point Of expression, every bit of or
namentation, refined and perfected to the
last degree.
With all her Limitations, and in spite of
certain aHectations, Adelina Patti shows
the capabilities of the human voice more
fully than any other singer alive.
Is not that worth IS apiece? C. W. s.