Kansas City journal., 1898-01-16

It is rather gratifying that circumstances
have made it expedient for Mr.. Sothern to
revive Lord Chumley." in which this de-
lightful actor made his first great hit. The
play was written by Belasco and DeMille
especially for Mr.. Sothern and is one of
the best examples of this fruitful collabora-
tion. 1t was designed TO present young
Sothern in a role similar to that of Lord
Dundreary, in which his distinguished
father had been SO eninently and conspic-
uously successful. 1t served an admirable
purpose, for It is not only well written
play, but il fully tested and revealed the
young comedians powers in eccentric de-
Nneation.
Mr.. Sothern's temperance in the char
acter at the Coates yesterday afternoon
was an occasion for congratulation among
the comedians admirers in this city. Those
who had seen the actor only in The Ad-
venture OF Lady Ursula" or who had wit
messed any of his numerous characterize
tons since his last engagement in this city.
were at once struck by the extravagant &C.
centricity of this lordling-an eccentricity
that is certainly accentuated through its
contrast with the settled and regular de-
meanor OF Sir George Sylvester. But what
different type of British aristocracy from
that ordinarily affected by comediansi
Chumley, as Mr.. Sothern presents him. has
as striking mannerisms as could be con-
ceived for character of heart or brains
but these mannerfsms never suggest the
possibility of deliberate affectation. It Is
IN this distinction between assumption and
reality that Mr.. Sothern displays his pow
ers as an artist. You are amused by the
fellows halting expression, his ambling
walk and his evident confusion, but you
are impressed by his genuine earnestness,
and In the several moments of dramatic
vitality you find yourself thrilled by his
forcible command. A strange character
this Sothern Chumley-a character that has
SO much quality that externals that would
otherwise be farcical become appropriate
The surprise afforded by the appearance
or a comparatively unknown actress in the
Leading role Of Mr. Hopes play. and the
highly successful Interpretation of the part
were followed yesterday by a delineation
presenting such a sharp contrast with the
ihst nrst that to there was a positive conviction
made to our list of accomplished leading
women. Yesterday Miss Angil was seen
OF bain Meg me angel Of the attie species
couthness. but here denoted with such un-
usual characteristics as to favorably i'm
press the audience with both the character
and the Interpreter. There was not a sug-
gesuon of the Lady Ursula of the night
before. which distinction is the greatest evil
dence Of superior quality that our new
Chumley' was excellent, the Butterworth
of Mr.. Blackstone being an especially unc-
uous piece of character acting.
Madame Nordica achieved perhaps the
most glorious success of her career in
Philadelphia last Tuesday night when she
sang. for the first time, Brunnhilde in die
Gotterdammerung," the most stupendously
difficult operate role ever conceived. The
audience was the largest of the PhiIa-
oelphia grand opera season, and Nordica's
success aroused greater enthusiasm than
was witnessed on the biggest of the Melba
nights. The Times, in reviewing Madame
Nordica's work, says:
Her reception after the fourth scene de-
manded her presence before the curtain
Tour times. although up to this time she
had not risen to any heights of artistic
grandeur. The plaudits, therefore, which
Were were. showered M upon her thus early were
entry in opera here and a demonstration OF
the general regard in which she is held.
delivery improved and in the final act she
lose TO vocal climax that excited a tor
rent of applause. At the finale Of the sec
fact that the artist they had heretofore
admired in the lighter roles OF italian and
French opera had grown beyond, far be-
yond. the then limit OF her greatness. and
was at the middle distance in the presenta-
ton Of a character which would add an
other and its brightest gem. to her circle
hearsing such part every day for a week
told seriously on Nordica's vocal resources,
and her singing frequently gave evidence
of overwork. Other than this her Brunn-
hide was the best that has ever been wit
messed here, and possibly IL was the best
ever given In this country since the palmy
days of Lehmann- 1t was a splendid ex-
ample of lyric effort, convincing and strong
dramatically, and in face and form Nordica
GODDESS. In @ additlon S to all this she M iSea by
transcendant vocal delivery OF Loves Re-
demption' at the close Of the work. excited
the greatest enthusiasm Of tho season and
was recalled no less than eight tines
New York will soon have the privilege OF
hearing Madame Nordica In the whole
and die Gotterdammerung'- appear
ance In the second being her debut in this
opera The best evidence of this artist
admirable method lies in the fact that she
has worked on these tremendous roles for
several years. and has given several hours
each day for many months past, and has
lost none of the sweetness and purity of
her voice through this arduous exaction.
No other point of view SO clearly reveals
the genuine greatness OF our foremost
singer.
While in Kansas City a few weeks ago
Madame Nordica spent several hours each
day on heSe 9es Tas Of pTsge
music one afternoon. Accompanied by Mr..
Simmons. who also intoned the other parts.
can demonstrate. the magnitude of the task
Wagner has set for those who successfully
follow him to his sublime heights. Her
singing of the Valkerie defamation at
such close range was the most brilliant,
powerful and overwhelming torrent of
dramatic music 1t has ever been my privi-
lege to hear.
Nordica's determination to encompass the
full range Of dramatic opera has more
value than that of mere achievement. Her
mastery of the great Wagnerian roles is Sc
closely allied with the sudden popularity OF
Wsgnerian music that she has an In,
estimable advantage through the full
development of her powers at this time
Lii Lehman has left greater achievements
behind her than she has before her. and
aside from the great German artist where
is there another Wagnerian soprano who
can compare with our Nordica? At least
for our purposes. for Americans much pre-
fer the development OF the lyric style to
dramatic requirements than they do the
distinctively limited German dramatics
and their mighty explosives. Unless some
unforeseen circumstance prevents. our
Nordica is the coming Wagnerfan soprano
and her coming is already at hand.
AUSTIN LATCHAW.
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