The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-13
MUSIC AND MUSICIANS
HIGH PRAISE FOR A HoOsIER PRTMA
DONNA IN BRISTOL.
Plans for Grent Opera Season at
New York Next winter-Banda
RoSsa shoveIing snow.

who Is known III Columbus, Ind, Eff1e
Critchteld, is winning fame abroad as
singer and actress. A recent presentation
of Carmen in Bristol called forth the fol-
lowing hattering criticism in a paper of
that city:
.Btistolians have been accustomed TO the
sprightly and yet impassioned personation
Of the title part of Mile. Zelie De Lussan,
but though that gifted lady no longer forms
part Of the Carl Rosa combination, Mile.
Theo Dorre played and sang in such fash
ion al 70 leave no room for regrets; in fact,
as an actress she even surpasses her prede
cessor. II Is not often that in a trying part
like Carmen we have to recognize at
first appearance in Bristol so gifted an
American actress and songstress.
Mile. Theo Dorre Is the daughter of Jo-
seph Critchfie,d, of Columbus, Ind, the
temperance lecturer Recently he was
inmate at the poorhouse in Bartholomew
county. The prima donna's mother is dead.
During the recent snowstorm in New York
several members of the stranded Banda
Rosa Joined the throng of snow shoveiers,
and helped clean the sidewalks TO earn
few cents. The troubles of the Banda Rosa
have continued since their last strike
Chicago, and its members see no way
70 return to Europe. Doubtless some
them will remain, unless their contracts
compel them to 60 back to San Severino.
1t the high prices paid to musicians in
America which were responsible for their
1irst dissatisfaction at the terms on which
they had come here 10 play. When they
were receiving 81 a day and learned that
players in this country got from three 90
nve times that amount, they were forth
with prejudiced in favor of America as a
place of residence. That they were highly
praised everywhere did not make their man
ayers task any less difficult and the par
ficular communication bestowed on certain
players increased the trouble In dealing
with the men. This has been the expert
ence of all visiting Orchestras. They have
usually left behind them a large portion of
their players, and it was not to be expected
that the Banda Rosa would be any differ
ent. When Ziehrer brought his band here
from Vienna TO play at the worlds fair
most of the men deserted and he carried
the only exception to this rule was the case
Of French band which came to America
some years ago. That was military or
ganization to a certain extent, and was able
to Keep the men together.
There issevery indication that the metro
politan season Of opera next winter will be
one Of the most brilliant that New York
has ever seen, judging from the names of
the artists Maurice Grau has already OBJ
tanned for his Covent Garden and Metro
politan seasons. The impressario arrived
:n New York on the Lucana last week
His principal object in coming over this
time is to close contracts with Melba and
Nordica. They are practically engaged by
him already, he says. Doehme, Nordica's
husband, came over with Mr.. Grau ard
as it is understood the prima donna relies
n great deal on her husbands judgment
in business matters she is pretty certain to
become a member of the Grau forces for
the two seasons.
II believe 1 have the greatest list Of
artists that ever sang together in grand
opera" said Mr.. Grau. II am sure that
three such tenors were never heard to-
gether as Jean de Reszke, Van Dyck and
Salezka- London is to have new sensation
IN Salezka, and j expect that by the time
the New York season opens the people here
viii be as eager TO hear him.
He is a magnificent artist, and will sing
In London in the operas of 'Sappho,' Aida
'Huguenotsg Carmen Lohengrin, 'Sa-
lammbo. 'Utello' and others"
The fun list of Mr.. Graus principal art
lists already engaged are: Sopranos, Calve
and Games. with Melba and Nordica to be
added contraltos. Schumann Heink Man
tell and Meisslnger; tenors, Jean De
Reszke, Van Dyck, Salezka and Salgnae;
hassos, Edouard De Reszke and Plancon.
Meisslinger, the contralto, will be new at
the Metropolitan, but she sang the witch in
'Hansel and Grete' and is therefore not
unknown in New York.
Mr.. Grau has a young American girl
whom he may put forth in important work
Il he thinks as we'll of her after hearing her
sing as he does already, He will not tell
na wins c a. and h ha eeen mot STUDY
that she will not prove to be valuable
find.
What new works shall produce in New
York next season? Well, that depends al
together on what l do in London. New
York will get the benefit OF the tentative
work that will be done at Covent Garden.
One of the new productions in London will
be Saint-Saenss Henry VIII in which
Nine NorGica will sing Catherine. With
the exception of Mancinellrs new opera,
do not at present know of anything else to
be sung for the first time this season in
london"
Anna Vernon Dorsey. the scion of an old
Maryland family and the granddaughter of
Judge Clement Dorsey. who was member,
Of Congress, has found new field in which
TO turn her talents to u living. Miss Dorsey
was educated. as usual in the South. in Bal
timore, and she ; we'll known in Balt-
mores smart set, though of late her home.
has been in Washington. She has a delight
full contralto voice She accompanies her
self on the guitar and is the soul of an even
ing entertainment with her inexhaustible
store of old Irish and Scotch ballads. Her
speciality, however, is in plantation melo-
dies, which happen to be very popular just
now. She takes captive the weird, ineffable
sadness, the easy ringing laughter of the
African voice with remarkable fidelity. Her
recitals of Negro Songs and Characters
ties had their origin In impr0mptu per-
formances for the amusement of her init
mate friends
When Miss Dorsey was obliged to earn
her living, for season she sang in the most
select London drawing rooms. and she has
this winter been the fashion among society
folk I'm New York and Boston. With no ala
from makeup Miss Dorsey simply changes
her personality and accent from those of an
rf1 20 a la a I(tfl black widow
or a lazy yellow girl. She is the character
for the time being. and when she ceases Is
simply a dainty. ariStocratfc girl, with dis
tnct and clear intonation.
To New York audiences, whose ideas or
negro music have been formed from the
~ances Miss Dorsey's humorous reproduc-
lions have been a revelation
What Joel Chandler Harris has done Tor
The Southern plantation stories Miss Dor
Soy is doing for the songs is the verdict of
Thomas Nelson Page. Her very frame
sways with the rhythm of the verse. There
has been discussion lately in the Critic
OF the origin of Rudyard kiplings rhythm
IN Say Ave Yer Seen Bill 'Awkins?' in
his last volume of verse. 1t is evidently that
OF a negro song. The truth is that
Miss Dorsey sang at Gloucester several
years ago. and Mr.. kipling was much
struck with the rhythm of one of her
lections and announced his intention of TAX
ing IL for barrack room ballad. The songs
and monologues of Miss Dorsey have never
been set to music, but were learned from
the negroes themselves. Miss Dorsey is a
slight dainty little woman with violet blue
eyes and brown hair and a winsome mo-
bile face, which explains her great personal
charm.