The times., 1897-05-05
SONGS OF THE CONTRALTO
Delightful Musical Evening at the
Executive Mansion.
Nine. EstreIa Belinfante Delights q
Distinguished Company With En-
trancing Melodies.

/! filled with the melody of a voice which
sweled and scared through its wide cor
! ridors and lofty chambers. thrilling its
hearers as it interpreted all the emotions,
| aspirations and passions OF the human
| heart. One could scarcely believe that this
| wonderful volume or music, with its deep,
| pure tones, issued from the throat of the
| petite, youthful person in a lavender satin
| gown with soft ostrich tips outlining bust
| AID shoulders. The soft dark hair was
| gathered in loose knot at the back OF
| her head and through the parted red lips
| issued one of the greatest contraltos the
world has ever heard.
The singer was Nine. Estrela Belinfante,
| the renowned Italian prina donna. She is
| not merely a singer with phenomenal
voice, but an artist OF rare ability. Nine.
Belinf9uJe sings with all the force and
fire of true child of Italy. The cadence
OF her voice expresses at will joy or sor-
row, despair OF happiness, and one feels
that she is one of those gifted musicians
who not only sing, but feel.
Nine. BelinfaEue is a young woman OF
great personal magnetism. Her eyes are
large and brown and one can scarcely
credit the statement that she is bliIld.
Such, however. is the case. When the
young singer discovered that her sight
was going she was heart-broken. At
:ittle more than seventeen Italy had
heard her in grand opera and was at her
feet. One can realize what terrible blow
it was to her TO give up her chosen
profession, for which she had stnslied
at the conservatories of Milan, Florence,
Naples and Vienna.
In the program Of last evening, which
was principally selected by Mrs. Mckinley,
Mime. Belinfante gave ''Guando a te Sieta,'
frota Faust, !" which was supplemented by
a cadence OF her own composition, which
delighted all andwon ent husiastic applause.
''Habanera,'' from "Carnen,' Romance"
from '.alignon;'' s.Che Faro LEM Ervic-
drie,'' by Gluck. and I'm Cuerpo Ytu
Alma.' by her accompanist, Sig. b. Girn-
mini, the weil-known composer. who came
over from New York for the evening.
In response to the request OF the Presi-
dent the charming English ballad, Daddy
by Behrend, was given 1t is seldom that
Americans show the enthusiasm which
was manifested last evening. The audi
ence was completely carried away with
the singer, recalling her again and again.
The President and Mrs. Mckinley well
coined their guests in the Blue Room, which
was decorated with growing plants only.
Mrs. Mckinley was gowned in hand
some brocade of sea shell pink with dia-
nond ornaments.
Mine Beiinfante wore a gown of laven-
der satin brocade, with full court train,
embroideredin yellow Chr rysanthcmumsani
finished about the decollcte corsage with
vallaU ostrich feathers Her oioyps fan
and slippers were of yellow, matching the
hue OF the blossoms embroidered on her
gown
Mrs. Sherman wore d very handsome
gown of black brocade velour; Mrs Gary
was gowned in black velvet; Miss Gary
looked very charming in a dainty ivory
brocade; Miss AIger was in white and
cerise satin; Miss Long, In pink satin;
Mrs Porter, in white and lavender brocade;
Mrs. Bin CHAM. in white mousseiine de sole;
and Mrs. Baker was very handsomely
gowned in black satin and point lace.
The guests included the Secretary Of
State and Mrs. Sherman, the Postmaster
General and Mrs. Gary, the Secretary of
the Navy and Miss Long, Attorney Gen
eral McKenna, Secretary Wilson, Senator
Hanna Mr.. and Mrs j Addison Porter,
Miss Alger. Mt. Charles Emory Smith, Or.
King, and the Misses King, who dined
with the President and Mrs. Mckinley
early in the evening; DR.. aud Mrs. Bates,
and Col and Mrs. Bingham
Secretary and Mrs. Alger, Secretary Bliss,
andthe Vice President aud Mrs Hobart, all
of whom were invited out to dine, arrived
late, but In time to hear half of the
program.