The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-04-05
THE SCALCH1 GRAND CONCERT.
louisville Dispatch J

Scalchi and her great operate COM
pany composed of Signor Albert, Sig
nor Canzio and Nile. Noldi and Walter
I Pick. as accompanist. delighted a large
/ audience ut the Auditorium last even
ing. Undoubtedly Scalchi is the great
est contralto of the age. Her voice is
one of the most powerful on the concert
stage, as was evidenced by the ease with
which she filled the Auditorium. The
quality is the richest possible, and she
has just enough of that quality known as
'yibratum' to fill her hearers with SYM
pathy or work them up to the highest
pitch of expectation before she gives
forth the last tone, which is almost in
yariably a ''nressa di voce.'
Her expression is fine and the flexibil-
ity of her wonderful voice is all the more
wonderful because so unusual in con-
tralto.
OF the quality of which Scalchi has
Just enough, Signor CranZio has an
over-abundance, and his voice. instead of
having pathos, is really tremolo. His
range and expression, however, are good,
and although he sings with a decidedly
pereeptible effort, he ranks among the
best tenors of his time
! To Mile. Noldi belongs adj the praise
which can be given to a young prima
donna. Her voice is wonderfully. sus-
tanned and clear. and although some of
her highest tones were slightly fatted.
her expression and the noticeable lack
of effort as the notes seemed to float
from her throat, makes her indeed zone
OF Americas most famous prima donnas. I
As an encore to her first song she sang
Kathleen Mavourneen'' in a manner
which almost brought tears to the eyes
of her audience, and her rendition of
1.-THE Last Rose of Summer" was one of
the things of which men and women
dream only as being of the celestial
world.
The last, but not the least, in the per-
sonnet of Scalchi's company was Signor
Albert, a baritone, who until recently
has been with the Imperial Opera Com
Apany. His voice is powerful and has
Il. sympathetic quality which makes his
hearers long to hear him again. He
was forced to respond to number of en-
cores. The '"rorreador's Song" from
Carmen" which he sang as an encore,
literally brought down the house.
Mr.. Walter Pick, the musical director,
is a well-known pianist. His solo at the
beginning OF the concert WAS rendered
with great deal of expression as well
as technical skill and grace. Beside
the concert, an act each of Martha"
and "Semiramide' was sung by the
company in costume and with scenery.
Both were excellent, but it was in
| .Semiramide" that Scalchi was heard
to best advantage. This is said to be
her fayorite role.
The concert was given under the aus
, pieces Of the Daughters of the Confed-
eracy for the benefit of the Confederate
veterans. and goodly sum was realized.
The Ladies' Hospital Association de-
sires to state, i'll regard to the Scalchi
Opera tickets. that those who have pur-
chased the Zoe. gallery tickets can re-
serve their seats at the Academy of
Music any time to-day. Mr. Rivers. the
manager of the Academy, will be there
all day The following are the prices:
$50 and S1.00 for reserved seats Cat
Kings drug store) and 75c. general adj
mission down stairs. Toe. for reserved
seats i'll gallery and zoe general admis-
sion iii gallery.
Ladies holding tickets will please re-
port at Mrs. J. J. Thomas this after
noon at 3 O'Clock, with funds from sale
of tickets and the unsold tickets