The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1896-12-31
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
The Nordica.C Concert.

Portland theatre has not held mjIe
musical or more critical audience for a
long time than thas which assembled
there last evening. 1t was an audience
by no means confined to our own cltl-
zens, but included many from other
cities, who had availed themselves OF
the opportunity afforded them to hear
Names great singer. 1t was noo as
large as it would have-been 1t the tick
cts had been less expensive, for zoo and
50 for admission to a concert are prices
that Maine people cannot afford. Even IN
the great musical centres such prizes are
more apt to pertain to opera than con-
cert. If the managers had made an ad-
mission of Stand we do not recall an
instance before when the managers of
Nine. Nordica, Nine. Melba, Nine.
Eames, or my of the great artists have
asked more than $3.50, with an admis-
sion of do1ar-they would doubtless
have had crowded house and most
apprecistive audience as we'll.
But what a delightful concert 1t was.
uG du0lC1AOC 84COuCd AAA1S % ANSANtS" ~AASS~
enthusiastically; they called her out
again and again; they presented her
superb bouquet, and in most demon
stratiye manner showed their delight
and pleasure at seeing and listening to
her oncs again. 1t has been said that
"a prophet Is without honor in his own
country" In the case of Nine. Nordioa
and her audience last night, the old saw
was not applicable. What command
ing and attractive stage presence she has.
Her superb costume Of white brocade,
with tulips embroidered thereon. and
turned out with cherry, was exceedingly
modisf, and she wore wealth of dia-
monds. On her head was the magnifi-
cent tiara presented by a number of New
York friends the last season. Mime. Nor
aioa was in excellent voice. She sang
with great fervor, and she was exceed
ingly generous in the matter of encores.
Although she was down on the pro-
gra,nme for only three numbers, she sang
half dozen times. She afforded an OPP
portunity to hear her in almost all styles
of music from Wagner to the simple pal
lad. Her first number was the brilliant
aria from Franz EikeIs opera st. Erze-
BETH" that she sang at the Worcester
festival last September and which has
rarely been heard in this country. 1t Is
a remarkable dramatic composition, and
displays the voice most effectively. 1t
is tinged with the folk music OF Hun
gary and its wild, irregular melody is
quaint and impressive. The opera was
first produced In Pesthe in 1857, and
founded ON the story of st. Erzebeth of
hungary, 1207.1231, canopized by Greg
DRY l., for the charitable deeds that she
performed. TIE aria is in two parts, the
nrst representing Erzebeth as mourn
ing for her children from whom she has
been separated, and the second rejoicing
at the prospect of being reunited to
them. The closing of the aria, as given
by the magnificent voice of Mime. Nor
dica, was simply grand. For her second
number the prima donna sang the great
aira tDich theure halle" from Tam
hause-, in fine style. For encores she
charmed with Becker IS Spring Song.
delightful cradlo son, sWhere the Bee
S1cks," and "When Love Is Kind
i There is evidently no small Jealousy
in Nine. Nordica's disposition, for she
brought with her the great contralto
Sophia Scalchi. Musical students would
have found it worth many dollars to
them il they had heard her magnificent
rendering of "Ah Rendini," song of
Rossi's, in which the wondrous power
and, volume, and technical skill of the
great singers voice were Thoroughly dis
pI aged. And 90 with The great aria from
the Huguenots "Nobill Signor. Not
only was the pages song given perfect
II, but the skill of tina actress was plain
ly shown all through it. She responded
to the hearty enoores of both her num-
bers.
Barron Berthold has robust tenor
voice and great deal of musical express
sion. He is better in dramatic music
than In lyric. Those who have heard
Br1guoli in the air from La Fora de
Destinn," or Ravette in the Dukes song
from "Rigoletto, will never forget those
silvery tones that will haunt their men,
CRY to the last. But Mr.. Berthold sings
with SD much life that he captivates
his audience. And this same vim, If
we may use the word, the baritone, Mr..
Dempsy displayed in great degree. His
voice Is of excellent compass and fexi-
bility. He gave Handel's Honor and
Arms In true oratorio style, and
Mephlstopheles's song from "Faust"
with power and intelligence. Perhaps,
however, his rendering of tOf for Phila
delpia in the Morning pleased as much
as anything for the admirable coloring
he gave to the popular ballad.
The concert closed with brilliant
wondering of the great quartette from
i" Rigolstto, and the audience reluctant
ly left the hall Mr.. Isadore Luckstone
who is an admirable pianist, and who
was-warmly applauded from mis- capital
performance of Liszts "Sixth Rhapso-
dy," played the accomplishments of the
evening most satisfactorily.