Omaha daily bee., 1892-02-12
GREETED rHE 4POLLo cLUB.
Boyd's Opera House Crowded with Fash
lnnabI. AnuInura.


and an inspiration for the musicians, rs the
attractive ensemble o. the stage certainly
was for those who viewed it from the audi
torium. Boxes, parquet, dress circle and
balcony were filed to the uttermost tier and
the last seat with a sympathetic and fashion
able company, and the throng broke the rec
ord by overfowing into the gallery.
1t may be doubted II any other musical
entertainment, except one with Nine. Adelina
Patti among its artists, would have induced
such an ontpourng, and surely the Apollos
must have been deeply sensible of Omaha's
kindly appreciation.
This organization has not come before the
public on purely commercial basis. Its eff
forts have been labor partly of love and
largely of patriotism, and the people of
Omaha have put their friendship and ap-
proval in evidence in the most tangible and
substantial form.
At the same t,me the Apollos have gone
before the pu bic on the merits of their work
as measured by the standards Of their art.
This work has been an education whose be-
nehcence Is shed upon all alike. 1t has shown
noticeable advancement The Apollos have
ever broadened the field OF their STRIVING and
strengthened their capacity for achievement.
In this latest entertainment they assumed
considerable financial burden in order to
have the assistance of artists of quality and
distinction. 1t required the courage Of en-
thusiasts to make the venture, but the public
appreciates such noble daring, and last
nights audience displayed a discriminating
culture that WAS exceedingly grateful
Shortly after the time announced for the
concert to begin the chorus of ladies appeared
upon the scene followed Immediately by the
male portion of the club who, after a slight
hesitation, took their seats Then came ,he
accompanist Mr. w. S. Marshall, followed
~. = i
Mr.. S. Litowsky, and Mrs. Clara Murray,
harpist. 1t would be unfair to crticise the
work of the club, inasmuch as it was severely
handicapped by series of mishaps.
Mrs. Ella Backus-B Behr who was to be the
pianist of the occasion, was prevented by her
physicians from coming and her work de-
volved on Mr.. Marshall, who deserves great
credit for the way in which he performed the
task set him as accompanist. Mrs. Fred
Nye, who was TO take solo part in the EN-
chanted Swans" was unable TO attend owing
to illness, and her part was well taken by
Miss Mary Poppleton.
The first part of the program was devoted
to "The Enchanted Swans" a cantata, the
words of which are by Karl Kuhn, adapted
from Hans Andersens tale, and the music
by Relnecke, who, by the way, is moro
familiar with the orchestra than the voice,
fact which shows itself clearly throughout
the work. The connective readings were
given by Miss Kate Bradley, eocutionist,
who, in pleasing and attractive manner,
gave the audience the explanatory sentences
of the composition. The first chorus was
shaded very artistically. but was little
weak IN volume Miss Mary Poppleton pre-
pared THE Queens Curse" on short notice
as a substitute Tor Mrs Nye and was very
successful in giving the piece the dramatic
rendition it required. Miss Olaray ayClarkson
was very pleasing in "Elfrida's Prayers"
Her sweet bell-like tone and her good facial
expression seemed to catch the audience and
she was enthusiastically received. With
little more confidence and hrmness In her
vocalzation Miss Clarkson will make a sue
ceSSful concert singer
The "chorus of Glow worms, >" and Chorus
of Angels particular good, in the latter num-
ber the e,climaX work was done well and the
whole chorus seemed to be completely
up. lIlfrida's Address to Sea-" showed a
very difficult solo with but little help In the
accompaniment and was artistically rendered
| by Mrs. J. NJ Cotton. "The Swan Chorusos"
were decidedly inspiriting and in the second
| Of these selections the cello obligato added q
rich charm to the voices.
Miss Frances Roeder in the "Falry
| Promise'' was very fair, but the absence OF q
good declamando style was noticeable. She
was in excellent voice ard sang with feeling.
In the Princes song Mr. kudwig made his
"tremolo' was remarked IN singing and he
did not appear to as good advantage as later
IN the evening.
The instrumental intermezzo was very
| Chorus of Phantoms," which had good
movement and pleased the audience. The
| chorus showed its training most in "1he
| Chorus of Mice and Thrushes," ;" where their
attacks were artistic and the modulation and
| tempo good. This was followed by "The
| Chorus of Swans" and finale by Mrs. Cotton.
| Mr.. Ludwig and chorus. At the end the
| nudience was completely carried away and
| hearty burst Of applause greeted the director,
| Mr.. l.. A. Towens, as he retired.
/ second
| opened by harp solo, AlVars Fantasia dc
| Concert" by Mrs. Clara Murray. In re-
| sponse to an encore she gave "The Last Rose
OF Summer" and in both pieces was we'll
| received.
Mr. William Ludwig followed in the
| sublime aria from Tannhauser 'Oh! Thou
Beautiful Evening Star" and in this selec-
tion the true artistic soul and perfect
| vocalization were displayed in thrilling
| manner. His great compass and power was
| well shown in Faures great solo. LES
Rameaux." Mr.. Ludwig made decided
"hit' and was In excellent voice.
| Mrs. j. w. Cotton did herself ample JUS
tice in Verdi's beautiful aria, "Ah! Fors ct
| Lui," from La Traviata" In the andante
! movement of this piece the Interpretation of
| Violetta's awakening to the fact that she is
| IN love was very true and the pure tones of
| the singers voice were displayed with ex-
| cellent taste and with the depth of soul,
| precise enunciution and brilliant execution
| Of the closing allegro movement, 1t needed
no Interpreter TO show that Nloletta had
decided to try to drown her love in disslpa
| tion's giddy whirl.
| Mrs. Wakefield took the soprano qolo part
in "t'ar Ellen" by Max Bruch, which con.
| cluded the program Her voice possesses
| good carrying qualities and is dramatic. She
| was a little trou bled with nervousness at
| beginnings, but her musical temperament
| came TO her rescue ard her work, as she ad
vanced, steadily improved. The chorus in
| this selection was particularly fne and each
| member seemed to thoroughly enter into the
| work with energy and zeal
| The Apollo club has improved very consd-
| eraDly since last heard here, and under their
| present director has done some good work.
| The orchestra had for concert master the
| versatile Mr.. John Bockvs-Behr who is
| equally at home with cello or violin, and
strange to say, is good at both Mr.. Mar
| shall deserves great credit for his accompani-
| ments, the only place notlceable for weak
ness being want of support in Miss Popp!e-
| ton's upper notes and want0 Of even phrasng
| in Mrs Cotton's first solo J
| Mr. Simms fulfilled the duties of organist
| in pleasing manner
| 1t would be expedient for the Apollo club
| TO appoint committee on detail and thereby
| avoid unpleasant little delays in the arrang-
| ing of chorus. soloists, etc, on the stage, aud
| Z would be a good idea for the Omaha audi
Gnce5 to give little encouragement in the