The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-04-29
MUSICAL WHEELING.

Tho chief interest In Musical Wheel
Ing this week was the discussion Of the
grand opera heard In Pittsburgh, and
with appreciation and pleasure are
printed the opinions OF one who attend
cd the "Lohengrln" performance, which
opened the auspicious occasion. and
OF Mrs. Cyrus P. Flick, who took in the
whole season. The flrst-nighter' enter
talngly says: ~ have heard the Lohen-
grin performance at Pittsburgh. and
got q great deal OF pleasure out OF 1t.
chiefly from the work Of the principal
singers. Probably l shall remember
longest and with most pleasure the
magnificent presence. singing and act
Ing of Edouard de Reezkc. When he
was singing, seldom had much atten-
ton 10 give anyone else: and he was as
grand to see as he was Inspiring to hear.
OF course the part Of the King" is not
vivldly emotional. but Edouard's ar,is-
tic qualities were all the more convinc-
ing because his king" was so complete
and manly ut times when he was under
no emotional pressure. His singing
was wholly without effort, but 1t domi-
mated everything. Even in the long
crescendos when the orchestra and
chorus kept building up greater and
greater volumes Of tone. the one big
man with the wonderful voice still stood
there supreme. Edouard was truly king
that night.
Jean de Reszke was another thor
ough satisfaction. Perhaps 4 better
musician than myself could find him the
most satisfactory OF the Lohengrln cast.
had never heard him. When the
swan-boat landed. and Juan stood there
on the bnnk, glitterIng In his gold and
silver and precious stones, my first
thought was mo wonder the girls all
idoiize him." (They we're doing It out
loud all around us). But he soon estab-
llshed a better reason for living, and his
acting and singing throughout were
sustained admirably. His enuncia ton
was surprisingly distinct. and his act
Ing showed continual care and good
taste. all based on constant enthus!-
assn which goes far to explain his sue
cess. His voice was Of more attractive
quality IN the softer passages than
where 1t was given fun swing, The
general work OF the two brothers SEEM
ed to me the most intelligent and pratl-
flying had ever heard.
IA constitutional desire to kick the
villain disturbed my enjoyment OF Bis.
pham's work. He was clever and ex-
pressirc throughout: much better
actor than l. had expected, II part OF
his long duet with Ortrud was tnonot-
onous. the blame belongs only to the
master composer. His voice is of course
unusually good, but noticeable not SO
much for its quality and volume as Tor
the fine skill with which it Is handled.
-"Nordicl did not attract me especial
ly. Schunann-IIcink did. largely by
her dramatic powers. She Is n thorouch
actress, with an evident SOUL" always
awake and ambitious. but not neryously
SO. She has arrived now. II never be-
fore.
Tho chorus was not very good-slow
and stlff IN movement and sometimes
doubtful as to pitch. Judging from their
personal appearance. however, they
must be excellent singers. The costum-
Ing may have been historically correct.
hut Il was not handsome. The orchcs-
ira was just good enough-not ob,ru
slvely so. ] was surprised to see how
clearly the harp can be heard throuoh
the full orchestra. even In forte pas
sagcs.
''Thc audience was immense; NIL the
available standing room being taken.
Some OF the gowns we're SWELL guess
and there were other Indications OF
PlttsburEh's prosperity: but there wac
not M much grace and beauty rs We cx-
pcct to see regularly here at home.
THE house was large ard wcll.ar-
ranged. but our seats were too close
together. sThcre was no !cc-way for