Kansas City daily journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1892-1897, 1897-02-03
MUSIC AND THE DRAMA.
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If Franz Erkcl had never written any
other music than the st. Erzabeth" aria.
and if he had Laid aside his pen forever on
the completion of this composition, his
name would live, for 1t was destined that
Il certain American singer should make
the Hungarian composer famous.
1t is probable that more intelligent ac-
quaintance with the limitations of even the
greatest voices would have deprived the
world of this unique utterance of lyric
tragedy. 1t seems almost providential that
circumstances brought the wonderful aria
TO the attention of the only living singer
who could adequately interpret it.
When this number was completed at the
Gilliss opera house last night the audience
went into ecstacies of enthusiasm. Every
claim that had been made for Nordicas
advancement in dramatic music was con-
ceded, and her supremacy in this particu-
lar field of lyric art was readily acknowl
edged. There is no danger that the Amer
lean singer will bye supplanted in the Hun
garian aria. 1t will remain her own, and
hereafter no concert programme she may
offer will be complete without II. One of
the penalties of unique greatness is the
persistent demand of the public for the
best illustration of superlative gifts. No
matter what fame may come to this WON.
an in the singing of Wagner music, her ad-
miTsrs will be wont to prove their exalted
estimates OF her voice and her art in this
more limited and more comprehensive num-
Der.
No other singer before the public to-day
has made the rapid progress. following
great distinction. that has been made by
that has elapsed since Nordica last sang
in this city her voice has broadened in all
that gives form, life and authority to dra-
matte expression. and yet it has lost none
of the sweetness that distinguished il in
the earlier stages of development. Even
in the tremendous passion of the st. Err
zabeth'' aria, which was delivered with
great feeling and amazing power. the
sence of music was preserved and the ad-
mirable method of this artist was domi-
nant.
Nine. Nordica was not only in fine voice.
but she was in her best mood. and her
moods are notably gracious. She sang the
familiar "Dich Theure Halle aria from
'Tannhauser. and gave some half dozen
encores, mostly popular numbers. and
among them pretty lullaby by Luckstone,
the pianist of the evening: Il Dreampt |
Dwelt in Marble Halls" When Love Is
Kind and Robin Adair' While she excels
in dramatic music, in voice. manner and
musical style she adapts herself we'll to
simpler forms She also sang in the fa
miliar ''Rigoletto' Quartettc. Even if the
inviting It should have been for those
who like to hear new things. certainly no
fault can be found on the score that the
audience did not hear all and more than
could reasonably have been expected of one
singer.
Mr.. Bcrthald. who has been heard in this
city before, has also advanced in his art.
His voice has grown i'll volume, but it is
less musical than it was, and he will find
his most appropriate place in Wagnerian
scores. He sang an aria from Don Clio
vHuni'' and Verdi reCftative and roman
ID. as well as several popular encore num-
bers.
Mime. Scalchi was in excellent voice She
was content to confine herself entirely to
numbers in which she has been frequently
heard here, and yet they were received
with enthusiastic approval. Some OF
SCalchis notes show wear. but her glorious
method aud boaming personality are n joy
forever The new singer. Mr.. j. c. Demp-
scy. is very pleasing baritone. He has
an effective voice. though II is not big
one. He was especially effective in Han
dci'S Honor and Arms Mr.. LuCkstone
is an accomplished pianist and jewel of
aCcompanist.
There was every evidence of good cheer
in the gathering. The novelty of once
more getting inside the old Gilliss seemed
to put the people in an agreeable frame of
mind. AUSTIN LATCHAW.
The current attractions are drawing well.
''Shore Acres at the Coates is dclightinG
the audiences there. The Wizard of the
Nile at the Auditorium has caught on i'm
mPnSeiY. Corbett at the Grand and Katie
Emmett at the Ninth Street are dellahting
their particular following. At the Giliss
the remainder of the week there is Il com
mendable attraction not hitherto mentioned
in review in This column. 1t is pleasing
version of Monte CriSto'' presented by
William Monroe and his comnany. The
old romantic play is meeting with deserved
success. especially as there has been no
advance in the very low scale of prices
prevailing at this theater for regular at