The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-05-26

pleading tones that seemed never to nave
had a beginning. In the impassioned I'm.
nammiz mon 81 ME ct condinsez mo mealn
Ssr voice are y IN saul All an s suas
In this she reveals perfect musical and
dramatic. genius. with absolute evenness OF
grandeur to the final .Inspirez Moi"
In the group Of songs given by Nordica one
was probably most impressed by TIE sweet
ness or her voice in Il Know Bank Wnere-
on the Wild Thyme Grows" Her encore was
happily selected and a fitting nnish 10 the
one of the impressions produced by Nor
IDEAS singing Is the fact that II Is restful.
One may wonder why this is So The answer
Is simple When one sings the correct meth
Cd there rs no strain. and the throat must
be relegated TO oblivion The power to dis
Germ that her crescendos do not come from
an overstrained throat renders the effect at
once reposeful and enjoyable To put ORA
matte fire and feeling. and, at the same time.
clear enunciation and pathetic tenderness
into song Is by no means an easy thing 70
do. and can only be acquired by correct ideas
OF the art OF singing. Nordica's power In
incubation OF tone Is one OK the attractive
features; To be able TO elevate and enthrall
then to indefinitely soften and touch the
heart of the listener by the sweet pathos OF
the voice Of child Is indeed; comDinafd9 n
In Nordica. IL there was at rare intervals
an imperceptible something in her tones
suggestive Of the more forceful German style
pure Italian school. we would attribute 1t at
once to the fatigue of travelling or some
unavoidable physical depression:
Gertrude May Stein. who takes the part
OF Miriam in the ''Song OF Triumph" has
an especially pleasing voice of mezzo con-
tralto Quality; yet she Is asked to sing a
cry singer of note enjoys the interpreta-
ton Of songs particularly adapted to their
but angelic to accept this part in so oblig-
ing manner. but she sustains her difficult
task gracefully and acceptaby. Miss Stein
received a richly deserved welcome and
completely won the people in her first
500. She possesses TO a marked degree
that indescribable gift OF distinction of
beholder. She has natural ease. of man
ner that is captivating. and is the secret
OF her charming individuality. 1t must have
sembIage to hear Humperdinck's Dance
Duett supplanted by Saint-Saens's Mon
Occur souvre a ia Voix,' which gave Miss
her rich mezzo contralto voice. In the lento
movement her tones In the appeal.
"Ah, respond to my caressing.
All, to thy heart ne'er pressing"
Were well taken, and received sympathetic
response in the heart of the hearers. Miss
STEMS response to the encore gave further
evidence of the intense feeling of which ner
voice Is capable.
nature must surely catch the inspiration Of
patriotism, of which Jordan gave very
fitting portrayal. Nordica was the soul and
radiating center of this stirring cantata.
Her animated rendition Of the soprano solo.
Up rose old Barbara Frietchie then,
Bowed with four score years and ten;
Bravest of all in Fredercktown,
She took up the flag the men hauled down."
Communicated her enthusiasm to the entire
audience. But the majority of her hearers
undoubtedly felt it fact to be deplored
that Nine. Nordica should have been asked
to assume the leading role in piece of so
light a character. The climax was culmi-
nation of good chorus support and well-ren-
dered orchestral effect, while the clear
resonance of Nordica's voice crowned the
whole with brilliant repletion-
MARY NJ. SHEDD.