The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-05-07
M Me. NORDICA.
And Other Famous Singers at the
Arion Musical Festival.


Infantry Hall last evening when the Arion
Club began its two evenings festival,
with three OF the worlds most famous
vocalists as soloists. 1t was q remark
able exhibition OF appreciation on the
one hand and artistic ability on the other
and altogether it was one of the finest and
most impressive musical feasts ever spread
in this city outside OF grand opera. The
program was:
"rhe Desert"
Mr.. Ben Davies and male chorus.
Hear We Israeli from Elijah ........ hendelssohn
(By request)
Nine. Nordica.
my Heart at Thy Sweet Voice" ......... st. Saens
Miss Gertrude May Stein.
Barbara Frietchie" Jordan
Nine. Nordroa and chorus
Reeitstiye, Deeper and Deeper still". andel
aria, WAIT her Angles" poo. ........."..... Handel
Mr.. Davies.
lhe LoreIey '....,..,...''''.s...'...m .mendelssohn
Nine. Nordica and chorus.
The association of Madam Lillian Nor
dica, Gertrude May Stein and Ben Davies
ana the Arion chorus was Of course won
deriul combination, and the numbers
selected were OF the requisite char
acter TO fit temperament, style and
capacity OF the great visiting artists.
There was hardly haw detected by the
most exacling music lover in the vast
aad inspiriagly enthusiastic audience
that tlled the capacious auditorium.
In fact the "house" could not help al
most shouting its approval, and each
artist graoiously acknowledged the spon-
'aneous greeting by singing "again."
Mr.. Davies did not have q very large
share of "The Desert" His beautiful
voice and his assuring skill, however, were
quickly manifest, and the purity of his
tenor tones, the scope and beauty
OIL his singing, gave to those
who love melody a thrill of pleasure. His
rendering OF "Deeper and Deeper Still"
end "Waft Her Angels" were exquisite.
1t was almost perfect singing.
Nine. Nordica captured the audience.
She always does. She has right TO Amer
icas affection because she is the
country's representative vocal artist.
Regally she bears her distinction,
and claims and holds homage by right OF
personal endeavor, talent and wonder
ful throat. The combination makes her
great in the galaxy of great
ones. After her .Hear We
Israeli she responded to recall with the
Bach Gounod "Ave Maria" and was ra-
diant with pleasure at her warm reception
and q handsome gift of a big bunch OF
Jacqueminot roses. She also sang the
solos Of Barbara Frietchie" with evident
relish and appreciation, giving TO the
stirring climax of Jules Jordsns patriotic
ballad just the touch to make the star
spangled banner wave as il ought.
Gertrude May Stein sang "My Heart at
Thy Sweet Voice." magnificently. Her
full. round and melodious voice and COM
manding style demanded the remarkable
recognition it received.
The great chorus felt the inspiration OF
greatness embodied in the soloists and
sang as it never sang before. In several
respects its work last evening was sur
prisingly strong. 1t contributed liber-
ally to the ovation "Barbara Fretchie"
received, and in all directions satisfied its
host Of admirers. The male part made a
strong impression in its liberal share OF
the program in "The Desert" An accident
In the latter part Of the concert was
quickly remedied, and the lustre OF
the chorus work was not appreciably
dimmed. Mr.. Jordan was at his best, and
much of the evenings triumph was due
TO his recognized ability as a conductor.
The Boston Festival Orchestra, Emil
Mollenhauer, leader, rendered satisfGc-
tory instrumental assistance and Mr..
Sprague was at home at the organ. This
evening Nine. Melba will bow in Provi-
depce for the first time.