New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-10-26
NJ USIC.
MISS CLARA BUTT. coNTRALTO.

MISS CLARA BUTT, CONTRALTO.
At length contralto singer with an opulent
voice and opulent feeling; a singer full Of pusatlng
passion. yet one whose art Is 50 ample and so
finished that IT keeps all her uttersnces in such
perfect control that only in occasional slips Of taste
or Judgment does there he any llrna ton 10
her powers superb exemplar OF that highest
OF all aesthetic qualities repose. The singer Is Miss
Clara Butt. who effected her entrance the Amer
lean stage AT Mendelssohn Hall last night. She
had been we'll heralded. but not over advertised.
she made marvellously deep impression. and
won not only the admiration but the gratitude OF
al lovers Of straightforward. honest soulful sing
ing
The concert q character which might he
called characteristicallv English. far the
constitution Of It's programme concerned. and
when one thought Of its beginning the end APP
PREACHED 1t difficult 10 repress a regret that
the English love for sentimental ballads had been
permitted 10 mar IL. but there are many people OF
many tastes I'm this world. and setting OF the
hymn ABIDE with Me" In the style Of a passionate
love song with organ tones 70 heighten the climax.
was Just the kind of music 70 please large ele-
ment in the audience. and this element enjoyed
Kathleen Mavourneen." which added to the
programme although II in that old song
that the singer for the first time permitted sent-
ment 10 60 70 the extreme Of extravaRant senti-
mentality. The judicious may have grieved but
those who Ike that kind Of music liked It very
much
But a truce N caYrng There Is too much N
rejoice over Miss Butts singing TO waste time In
regretting that some things about the concert
were not otherwise Miss Butt Is sumptuous
woman with a sUmptuous voice. Il has singu-
larly rich gambia quality ample range and superb
power; # comes forth with remarkable freedom
and Il rests upon such vast and well controlled
reservoir Of breath that no matter how sweeping
the climax attained there stil seems abundance Of
power in reserve Hence the remarkable reQose-
funess 81 her singing She showed the tull wealth
of her voice IN her opening number. Glucks 'Di-
whites du Stvx." and conquering her audience At
once with that sweeping air. she challenged their
discriminating admiration for the rest % the even
ing by her distinct enunciation. intelligent diction
and generally excellent taste. Her place is as
sured in the front rank of the seasons concert
singers singer Of intelligence. skill, hne IN
buttons amazing power and temperament
The concert Of familiar music except
Miss Butts English songs. which were the least
comnendable Of the evenings features Miss Lolita
Mills played the allegro from Schumanns "Fasch-
ingsschWank aus Wien" with fine intelligence and
a warm and musical tone with a good deal NJ
rhvthnioal crispness. too and won recall. Mr..
Leon stern played some cello pieces, and when
ever he came 10 hit Of cantilena in which his
hig tone could tell. made his hearers regret his
efforts Al the hord fubdubs which are supposed
~ he essential 20 virtuosity. so called. In them
he was frequently out OF tune.