The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1900-03-06
MIMI SOFIA SCALCHl,
The Great COntraltO May Visit Billings
This Month,

tHiA WVVSVs
q. II. Gordon, who Ia conducting the
last American tour of Nine, Sofia
soalehi, the worlds greatest oontralto,
was Ia the city Saturday, III an inter.
view he stated TINT the great eontralto
will pass through here In the near fu-
tute, aud that IN case sufficient interest
10 shown Ia the matter by u music
loving citizens, she may be secured to
slug one night In Billings on March 30.
| When asked concerning Nine, Soalohi,
Mr.. Gordon said; 1T would seem use.
less to speak OF the ple.eminent talent
Of this great artist, or Of the position
she occupies Ia the musical world, since
by common consent she Ia recognized az
not only the greatest living eontralto,
but Ns the grentest of whom history has
made any record. Her voice and art
are tho recognized standards by which
the comparative merits Of all great
eontraltos are measured. Nine. Soalohi
has tho unique distinction Of being the
only artist who ever succeeded In divid.
ine honors with Adalina Patti, her as
soeiate for years, In fact 1t was no an
usual occurrence for the great oontlalto
to create more enthusiasm than the
great soprano herself. Sofia Soalehi Ia
the name by which she Ia known to the
musical world, but IN the social world
she Ia the Countess Lolli, she being at
the head Of one Of the most ancient and
wealthy families Of Italy's nobility.
Nine. sealehi 10 supported by a com
pany Of Rreat artists, among whom are
the following:
mime. Bearniee DePasQuali, one Of
the youngest and best Of American 40.
pranos. All who hear her are astounded
at the marvellous purity Of tone and
the ease with which she sings the most
difficult passsuges. The critics agree
that she 10 destined to be recognized az
one OF the worlds greatest sopranos,
SiRnor Franeesehetti needs no other
recommendation than a statement Of
the fact that he comes direct from the
Covent Garden Opera company, with
which great organization he held the
position Of primo baritone, signor De-
Pesqunli ranks az u Of the grfeatest
Of the younger Italian tenors, and al.
though Ia tho very beginning Of his
enreer, he has already scored many
artistic triumphs and has gained u wide
European and American reputation,
Signor 10 Verde, pianist and director
Of the company, holds the distinguished
position Of court pianist to Queen
Margharitta Of Italy, an honor con.
fefied on him In recognition Of his
genius AZ u composer, sol0ist and d.
rector.
The programme which Nine,
Scalehi and her company are giving,
consists OF operate festival gems and
the Miserere, Prison and Dungeon
scenes from III Trovatoro' In full COS,
tunes and special scenery, This pro.
gramme affords M opportunity for
Nine, SGalohi to appear In the historic
role Of Asucenn, tho Gypsy queen, n
part especially adapted to bring out
the wonderful qualities Ut her marvel
Gus yoiee, II ~ we'll known that it
was IN this role that Nine, Soalehi es-
tnhlished her reputation, not only Us
the first contralto Of her time, but also
IN Il great h~istri0nio artistic, +"
The guarantee list IL now at Holmes
~ Calh0un's drug store and II a sutfi,
cient number of tickets oan be sold,
Nine, sealohi will appear In III Trio,
vRtoro" in Billings oil the evening of
March s8, This Ia really a great at-
traction and Billings should not miss
opportunity of securing it,