The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-05-22

free the Flying Dutchman of his curse.
The refrain of the chorus softly blending
with the notes Of the soprano was one of
the most exquisite bits in the whole scene.
The duet with Mr.. Ffrangcon-DaVieS was
ike part taken from the opera. Each
artist showed that the inspiration Of an
operate performance was felt, ana the
pose, the dramatic fervor and heartiness
resulted IN treat for the audience ana
vociferously expressed appreciation from
the audience. Miss Russell used her book
but seldom, the part OF Senta pelng one
of her strong roles. 1t is generally con-
coded in London that Miss Russell Is one
of the greatest of Sentas. There was
lists bowed and bowed and Miss Russell
reached for the hand of Mr.: Van der
Stucken TO have him share with them in
Miss Russells second and last appearance
of the evening and at the FESTIVAL was in
the grand aria from "Tannhauser,' "Dich
Theure Halle" II was in this that the car
rying power of her voice was best shown,
as well as the excellence or her method.
The climax in the finale, with tne soste-
nuto on the high note, was superb exam
pie of her art Enthusiasm broke loose
after this, and the applause that hlled the
hall was equal to the greatest In1l mas ever
been shown at any festival Miss Russell
returned to the platform so many times to
acknowledge the recall that all count was
lost. There was no silencing the audience
until she reappeared, accompanied by her
secretary and accompanist Mr.. Van Nleet,
ready to play Tor Rupensfethh song Wmeh
a voice from the east side OF the hall called
for Home, Sweet Home" A word to the
accompanist and the chords of the song
asked for were given, and she sang the one
song above all that touches the heart OF the
Masses 1t was given with fine expression,
but not ruined by a too fine sentiment. Not
a sound could be heard in the hall, scarcely
a breath, and the silence continued brief
pause after the last note, and again there
pdtteF OF ca up Singer bowed
again and again before she could leave the
platform.
Miss Sara Layton Walker repeated her
of he ravrio1 evening in the
Flying Dutchman,' although she did not
have the opportunities in the opera that she
had in the he cantata 1a er W Wi beautf4
tone and purity of expression. Miss Walk
er sang with the chorus in the part as the
she had to sing was sung with the same
ease and grace that characterized her work
of the previous evening. MISS walkers
- A GREAT BARITONE.
Mr. Ffrangcon- Davies surely deserves his
reputation as one of the great baritones of
the day. In his part of the duet with Miss
Russell in THE Flying Dutchman' his I'M
usual compass of voice took him through
the range of baritone and basso. His re-
serve power and dramatic style were some
thing that people generally like to feel, and
there was every Opportunity to know and
feel just what the composer desired 10 eX-
press. The duet was one OF the great
things OF the FESTIVAL MI IetNlCo WIN inc
enthusiastic regard of every one IN ms
splendid singing of THE Two Grenad!erS.
This is one of the earlier songs OF wagner
and is entirely unlike the style OF compost
ton which is most familiar. 1t has been
COMPOUNDED with the Schumann song or
the same name ever since the programme
containing it was first announced. There is
no comparing the songs, and yet, strangely
enough the "Marseillaise is introduced in
both; In the schumann x, song 1t Is IN the
in the accompaniment. The thrilling song
of France, which is almost as well known
as America was played by the orchestra
with the suggestion of IA band at some dis
lance. The theme of the song harmonlzes
with it perfectly, but at no point does the
singer sing the "MarSeillaiSe Mr.. Ffrang-
con-Davies could not but feel gratited at
the applause accorded him. Both song ana
singer captivated.
know him with the yigor with which he
sang the small solo part allotted him. His
voice never sounded better nor stronger.
II was only a brief few phrases that fell
to him, but he sustained the part with
much credit to himself. When the time
came for the artists to receive applause
Mr.. Meek was made to feel that he had
share in it all.
THE LADIES' CHORUS.
The orchestration for the introduction to
the Flying Dutchman" was given with
rare delicacy and the instruments beat out
a whir-r-r which faded gradually away un-
til the wheels stopped, and then they took
up the theme of the Spinning Chorus"
which is q favorite and is better known
than almost any other chorus by this COM
poser. The chorus sustained the fine repu-
tation it made Thursday evening. The at
tack was coed and the harmony between
voices instruments and conductor was not
able. The shading and the r1tard passages
were beautifully done. The theme which
the altos take and the sopranos repeat was
presented with unanimity of spirit as we'll
as tone. The freshness in the sopranos and
the rich quality of the altos, never forced
at any time, were most pleasing.
1t was after the singing Of this chorus
that a most unexpected action occurred.
Mr. Van der Stucken, during the rehearsaIs,
was most severe, commentator being the
exception and not the rule. After the Fly
ing Dutchman'' number, when Miss Russell
insisted on Mr.. Van der Stricken having a
share in the honors, the director bowed to
the audience and then turned to the chorus
and bowed and made the sign of clapping
his hands, offering the compliment to the
chorus. He surely must have been grauhed
at the manner in which the chorus re-
sponded to his baton last night.
A performance that made a fitting and
splendid climax to an evening OF wagner
was the rendition of the chorus from Tam
hauser." OF the theme nothing need be said,
for every one who knows good music knows
it, and the chorus and orchestra We'd with
each other In giving a surprisingly good
Interpretation Of this nigh and noble COM
position. During the first chorus of the
evening the chorus seats were occupied
only by the ladies, who were massed in the
center front seats. After the intermisSiOn
the men came in and the usual position of
sopranos on the left, altos on the right,
with the tenors in front and the baSsos at
the back of the central portion, was taken,
chorus. The legacy which Wagner left to
the musical world is best appreciated after
such an event as the Wagner night at the
festival ANNA M kENZIE.