The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-02-28
ADJUSTMENTS.


Not since the famous tour of the American
Opera Company has indianapolis heard
grand opera as 1t was given last night at
Fcnglish's by Gustav Hinrlchs's company
from Philadelphia. The audience was dis
gracefully small. Even Kokomo or Upton
might be expected TO turn out a larger
crowd for such a distinguished musical
event. Those who took advantage OF this
first opportunity 10 hear Nevada i'm this
city since her return to America may con-
graduate themselves for having heard the
greatest Amina in "Sonnambula" that ever
charmed an audience with a voice of rare
and siIvery tonal beauty. This is no wild
statement, copied from press agents adj
Vance notice. but a plain assertion of fact
that has been conceded I'm Paris, Nice.
Naples and Madrid. and will be the opinion
In this country wherever Nevada is heard.
During Emma Nevada's eight years
abroad hattering stories of her brilliant sue
cess I'm Paris and other European capitals
we're csbled TO America, but the public,
here as well elsewhere. no doubt read
them with suspicion. Her great success ten
years ago in this country. when she was
hardly out of her teens. was the talk of the
musical world, but IL the success OF a
young and promising singer rather than
Gus things were then predicted for her, but
few young vocalists realize the expectations
OF their friends, and as Nevada avoided
returning to America for long 1t
generally taken that her greatness was not
that OF the reigning queens OF song These
opinions are now being rapidly modified.
Nevada Is i'm a class all by herself. With
out fear OF contradiction IL may be said
there none OF the great ones now singing
IN this country who Surpass her I'm the
matter of exquisite vocallzatlon. On the
programmes an Englshs this week Director
Hnrichs gives Nine Nevada a line calling
hnG ttFi nFu nm Q1l n IN fir
I'm the world" and he IL doubtless correct
After hearing the frequently unsmypathetIc
and too often maehine-like voc .n alton OK
during the last ten years. one feels like in
dorsing Mr.. Hnrichs's opinion of Nevada
The charming Melba, with all her brilliant
lyric technique, Nordlca. with her powerful
vocal machine. the sweet singing Lehman.
the lcIcle Eamea. the fiorid Patti. the grace
fui DE fsusaan all have some peculiar vo-
cal quality that has placed their names
among the great ones; but IN All these one
essence OF vocal melody 80 highly developed
for coloratura expression.
Every great singer who. takes the role
OF Amna Celebrates Beliinfs score more or
less in accordance with her vocal abilities.
Tho opportunity for cadenzah II rich. There
are bravura passages OF wonderful sweet
ness. particularly In tho great sleep-wnlking
scone Delicate modulations and plafntiye
triis abound TO delight both the singer and
the audience, After hearing Nevada'n bril-
lantly flexible voice In these varied execu-
lions ono no longer wonders at the extrava-
giant praise she has received In distant
lands Hers h not voice OF Wagnerian
understanding volume, but IL exceis In deli
cacy. sweetness and feasibility. In tho
sleep-walking scene last night Nevada exc
cuted double octave staccato run down
from high & In thirty-second notes. sounding
every note with the distinctness and clear
toned resonance OF "A bell. Sine Is said TO
be the only singer able TO master this run
and do II with comparative ease;
IL II her success In such horld
execution that has made her peerless In
Italian opera Although her voice Is dell
cate. II should not be taken that she at all
lacks necessary volume. Her full-sounding
high fiat I'm the second act finale last
night was vibrant and dominant above the
heavy chorus and fortissimo orchestra.
The audience. slim rs II was. made the
opera house echo with applause. which re-
suited In a double curtain call after this
climax. Again I'm Nevada's duet with Mich
elena In the last act. she reached nigh T.
natural with great power and sweetness.
The rest OF the cast II well selected for
fine operate effect and was supported by. a
weil-trained chorus Director Hinrichs
welded the baton over his own orchestra.
giving delightful and sympathetic render
n