The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-02-29
ADJUSTMENTS.
..n Troyntore.-

Another artistic presentation Of grand
opera was given at English's last night by
the Hinrichs company. This beautiful work
of Verdi. with its many tuneful melodies,
which never cease from the rising of the
curtain to its final drop on the last act.
was sung by artists, all Of whom were new
to this city, and who made an impression
long to be remembered by the favored few
who sat Through the performance. The cast
fell little short of being ideal, and 1t Is
nothing less than proclamation of art that
such vocal music should be wasted on only
handful Of people in a city where musical
pretension is as great as in Indianapolis
Minnie Tracey in the role Of Leonora full
filled all the extravagant predictions that
had preceded her. Only at the annual music
festival and in the occasional concert tours,
such as that of Melba, does Indianapolis
donna of such undoubted merit.
Contraltos deserving the name are as rare
as cometary visitations, and hence Katherine
Fleming in the role of AZucena was another
musical treat. But the cast did not stop
with these two talented singers. Head and
shoulders above all the rest in sensational
tenor, as Manrico. Outside of the petted
Jean De ReszkPs, there is not another such
male organ in the country. and the De
in more sublime and dramatic fashion than
Provost did last night when he took his
thrilling high with full chest volume at
the rear Of the stage and carried 1T to the
footlights with increasing lyric effect. caus-
ing an outburst of applause that could not
be restrained. Provost has the Wagnerian
girth and might be expected TO display a
voice of remarkable cultural strength, but
such purity of tone and accuracy of attack
on every note was revelation. Without any
hesitation this new tenor whom Gustav Hin
richS has introduced to America may be put
down as one of the worlds greatest tenors.
we're not AZ: of the a cast There n was new
baritone, who in his way, was almost as
great as Provost. Louis De Backer is his
name, one not known to dozen people in
Indianapolis before last night. He sang the
role of Count De Luna in place of Del
Puente, the veteran whose voice has seen
its best days De Backer Is an ambitious an us
opera fire and the ability to sing with the
best. His voice is richly musical, and as
now recall. Next to De Backer came
Marius Malzae. a basso of wonderful
strength. but who had not the proper op-
portunity in this opera. These five leading
singers, all stars. received a dozen calls
during the evening, and had they been in
the mood and the size of the audience justi-
fed, it might have heightened the perform
ance a half hour by accepting the encore
demands.
Lack of time prevents more extended re-
view of IL. the work of these exceptional sing;
be doing them an injustice, however, not to
recommend them and cali attention to the
fact that director Hinrichs has brought to
this city grand opera organization the
like of which cannot be expected to visit In
dianapolis until Messrs. Abbey & Grau can
see their way to make this a stopping place
for their Metropolitan Opera House Com
pany No such treat is afforded even by the
annual May Festival, when the public pays
$500 performance to hear some star per-
functoriiy warble couple of solos. The
chorus in Mr.. Hinrchs's company is ample
and as good as any ever likely to be heard
~x-l.f 10 fh<a so do of
sicans who ever give a sympathetic rem
dering to the Italian music