The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-11-21
A FEAST OF RARE MUSIC
THE FIRST CONCERT OF THE SYM
PHONY ORCHESTRA.
The Orchestral Numbers and Miss
VOigt's Singing Enthusiastically
Received.

An audience of generous size and unusual
brilliance, representative of the city's cui-
ture in both letters and music. gathered in
English's Opera House last night TO listen
to the first Symphony Orchestra concert OF
the new season. Nevertheless, large as the
assemblage of musical devotees undoubted-
ly was, many more might have RECALLED
themselves at the feast of harmony pro-
vided. The absentees from this event
missed participating in two of the most
SPONTANEOUS and remarkable triumphs ever
accorded - either home or foreign artists
in this city. The attendance indicated that
much was expected Of both the orchestra
and Miss Louise B. Voigt, the soloist, but
il may be doubted if any one was anticipate
ing such ovations as were given the former
for its magnificent rendition of Beethovens
Eighth Symphony and the latter for her
thrilling bursts of melody in the aria from
Carl Won Weber's 'Oberon," ocean. Thou
Mighty Monster"
The Beethoven Symphony, it would seem
TO the lay mind, could scarcely have been
better played than it was last night. Only
a faint idea of its wealth of sweet strains,
its heart-stirring chords, its mirth-provok-
ing fantasies or it's soul-elevating bursts or
triumphal melody can be given in the
limits of a newspaper comment. 1t is said
the writing of this wondrous piece of music
was prompted by the master falling vio-
lcntly i'm love at the rather advanced age
Gor lovemaking) of forty-two. One can
well believe this who hears the light and
joyous first part, allegro vivace con brio.
In the exquisite second movement, allegret-
TO scherzando. the love-sick magician OF
melody opens for an instant the inmost re-
cesses of his heart and permits the ears OF
others to hear the heavenly symphonies
vibrating there The third part is har-
mony picture of the minuette of bygone
days. Even without closing the eyes, one
can see his ancestors, young and full of life
and gayety as himself. bowling, smiling and
swaying towards each other in the stately
dance. Suddenly the music undergoes a
soft, mysterious change. These people Of
other days are wandering from the dance
hall TAT least one pair of them is) in search
OF some vine-covered, moonlit balcony.
where for few delightful moments they
whisper into each others ears those sweet
nothings that in the language of love mean
much. In the fourth movement, the
lover grows ecstatic, just as did Richard
Carew in when We Were Twenty-one,
and fairly shouts his joy in crescendo
bursts of harmony. A wondrous compost
ton, played with delicate and faithful
touch under the direction of a masterful
leader. Conductor Schneider was literally
az his best last night, a fact which was
continuously attested by salyos of applause
whenever he appeared on the stage. 1t was
an evening of triumphs, and not the least
was won by Mr. Schneider. The overture
to Carl Reinecke's opera King Manfred"
(of Sicily, 1858, not Byrons Manfred) was
the next number introduced by the orches-
ira, and 1t too met with instantaneous
favor
Then came Miss Voigt, a young woman
OF pleasing face and true prima donna
amplitude of form. Ii appears that the
greatest singers are those of broad, full
chests. Whether this be the reason or not,
Miss Voigt revealed a voice that by It's
sweetness, clearness, power and dramatic
intensity fairly took the audience by storm.
Encore after encore came spontaneously
from all parts of the house, finally result
ing in the singer according with rare gra-
ciousness n second number in TIE form of a
pretty little ballad why Are Roses
Sweet" The Symphony Orchestra then in
troduced Johann s. Svendsen's charming
Rhapsodie Norwegienne, No. 5, OPP. y.
curious combination suggestive of musical
elfs in the delicious unrestraint of one OF
their play-hours. Miss Voigt's last APP
pearance was In a trio Of songs, Margaret
at the Spinning Wheel" lin the German
tongue). 1.-The Robin and Morning
Hymn" each different. affording oppor-
tunities for the display of a wide range of
vocal talent. A most pleasing feature OF
Miss Voigt's singing is her perfect enun-
citation. Even when singing In the German,
every word is uttered with marked clear
ness and distinctness. A better selection
for the finale of a concert by a symphony
orchestra could hardly have been made
than Anton Dvoraks Slavonic Dance,
Opus 46, No l. With its wild, weird. bar
barrie Introduction, it's merry, roguish inter
mediate music, its occasional softly whis-
pered dialogues between spirits of melody
and its ecstatic finish. the closing COM
position sent every one away I'm an exalted
happy frame OF mind. The Symphony Or
chestra has improved vastly over even it's
high standard of excellence last season. Al
ready the success of the next concert in the
series is assured.