The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-03-17
MAY FESTIVAL STARS
THE GREAT ARTISTS GAINING FRESH
LAURELs AT CHICAGO.
Melba ana Nordica, the leaders of b
Prime Donne, VIII Sing I'm In
annapolis.

lists of the Indianapolis May MUSIC FseStl-
val, is received with great satisfaction by
the prospective patrons of this series of
great musical entertainments. Under the ex-
listing condition of things, Nordica's en-
gagement, especially for the Wagner night,
was almost a necessity, and there was such
a general request here that Melba be also
engaged, that the directors of the festival
arranged for it.
The wisdom of these engagements, which
was never doubtful, is confirmed by the
performances of grand opera at Chicago by
the Metropolitan Opera Company last week.
This great organization began it's six weeks
season at the Auditorium. last Monday
night, with a performance of Lies Hugue-
nots,'' which drew an audience that filled
that capacious building to overlooking.
Seats were sold by spectators for SIS and
$50 each, in the afternoon, and the gross re-
ceipts of the performance were in excess
of $4,000. All the great artists of the COM
pany Melba, Nordica, Jean and Edward
de Reszke, Plancin and Scalchi were in the
cast the opening night, although some of
them were assigned to minor parts of the
performance. The Tribune, in referring to
Nordica's work, said: Mime. Nordica is
more artistic in her poses and acting and
her voice has greatly gained in dramatic
delivery. The effect of her Bayreuth train
ing is mainly evidenced in these points.
Her welcome was genuine and sincere"
On Tuesday night "Otello' was given.
Nine. Emma Eames, who was to have
sung the part of D~esdemona, was Ill, and
Nordica went on, at a few hours notice,
and made a great success, of which the In
ter Ocean says: mime. Nordica was, of
course. artistic and attractive as Desde-
mona, giving the action BETTING grace and
dignity and tho roIcia with 6nfchad and
moving force. There are not a few difficult
ties for a prima donna in singing with the
fiery Tamagno. but Nine, Nordica very
adroitly tempered her vocal art despite his
with truth and beauty. she gave the lovely
Ave Maria in the fourth act, giving it
the inspirational effect designed by the com
poser. 1t is hardly necessary to remark that
Nine. Nordica appeared in a variety of mag
nificent costumes, to give rare picturesque
effect to gentle Desdemona.'
Romeo ct J~uliette' was the bill for
Chicago papers, no audience in that city was
ever before aroused to such a pitch. of en-
fe Tbe Posi- Is d they w says by Melp BIAS s sang E
reference to Melba's work in eli Ugo-
motif she has come back a better actress
and a better singer than she went away. Not
that she was lacking in any essential a
year ago, but that her art is developing,
is more finished and persuasive. After her
performance last night very little room is
and actress. Not even in the halycon days
VI III QO Tile lONS-AOFA -fOlC6 u ulle
throb more audibly with joy or despair.
The love duet was never sung with a more
insinuating intimacy of tone: To the emo
tional scenes she gave herself up with the
abandon and fire of a tragedienne. Her
singing of the balcony music was rudy
with passion. Lyrically she gave another
demonstration of her primacy among high
operate soprani. 1t is difficult to say
whether her vocalism is the more astonish-
rendering of the waltz song 'Je Veux
Vivre.' with its attendant ~forituri and its
crr Df fTJ Inanfo ~ xra~ .--~-
of technique. 1t was also a fair illustra-
ton of her power to impart dignity and
nobility neta 4Sa to os silly y music use da til, the nnd listener steiner t, for
of art. This power is possessed by other
chanteuses 1egeres, but with the exception
Media Relli0rien not g any su'n oesree a. 0y
.'In the duet, Di grazia, .t'arresta ancor,'
were exemplihed her volume of voice, the
purity of her tone. The notes were as dis
tinct-each as complete in itself-as so many
the balcony scene she sang with almost
fairy, certainly with genuine poetic charm.
She realized the situation in person, method
and .vocalism, and she was scarcely less
delightful in the music of the final part
ing: The phrase is somewhat ~musty-but
Media is an irresistible Juliet"
The local arrangements for the coming
festival are progressing most Satisfactorily.
The festival book viii go to the printer
announcements, the complete programme
for the six concerts, fine pictures of all
LAC o4lk u 1 vi LhC 1oiIl-
poSers whose works are to be presented
and descriptions of the works themselves
new departure here. At least twenty thou
sand of these books will be printed and
they will be carefully distributed through
out the city and State. They will be at
tractive specimens of the typographical art
and contain much information that is use
full and interesting.
The festival chorus this year promises to
be the best that has ever sung here. 1t will
number about $50 singers, who, under Prof.
rnnGfr M1frnntian harrn n1rno6v ha1 40
hearsing two months and will continue I'M
til the festival date. Never before have the
work and very few Of them are absent
from rehearsals and they only for good
reasons. Many more singers are applying
Accommodated, for the ranks are now about
full. Nearly all the choral works to be
given this year will be short.
The Boston festival orchestra. which will
play here, is now engaged in festival work
in the East, and its piece de resistance
son and Delilah.' which is now the rage in
the Eastern cities. Miss Julie l.. Wyman,
as she does in the East, was specially en-
gagged for it. for the reason that she stud
fed under Saint Saens in Paris and was
especially tutored in this opera by him.
Musical Notes.
Mr.. f. X. Arens will repeat his lecture on
Wagner and His Works soon. in English.
Aeolian concerts have been the feature of
the Music Club meetings during the past
week.
Mrs. Perle r. Wilkinson, instructor of
music in the public schools, has gone to
Boston for a short visit.
At the meeting of the Matinee Musicale.
Wednesday, Mrs. D.. L. Whittier will read
a paper on THE Oratorio,'' which will be
illustrated by the members of the second
division.
A feature of the Matinee Musicale pro-
gramme, Wednesday, will be a repetition of
the Mohr composition for eight hands, two
pianos, three violins, cello and bass viol,
which was given at the meeting two weeks
ago.
There will be speciai music. this evening,
at the First Baptist Church. Miss Minnie
Diener will play an organ solo, Mr.. Atkins
will play a violin solo and the choir will
give three selections, one to be THE Heav-
ems Are Telling" by Haydn.
Mrs. Lottie Adam Raschig, Mrs. Danforth
Brown, Mr.. John l.. Geiger, Mrs. Henry
| Schurmann, Miss Johnson, Miss Robinson,
/ Mr.. William c.. Sterne, Mr.. J. Maurice But
to Chicago to attend the opera this week.
Mr.. w. Fl. Donley interpreted a choice
programme Of organ music, yesterday after
noon, for his recital at Plymouth Church.
The Sonata Pontificale," by Lemmens, was
the special feature. 1t is one of the greatest
works known for the organ and was pre-
scented by Mr.. Donley in musicianly style.
The next concert of the Schliewen Quar-
tt series will he given Tuesday evening,
70 FUI& 4,-~A@n - - -