The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-12-27
III FIELEU lHE DILL
De Lussan Concert Was an Ar
tistic Success.
Great Singer Pleased Musical
Topeka People.
AUDIENCE NOT LARGE.
Only About l 200 People Heard
Her.
Was Often Recalled by Appre-
ciatiVe Hearers.
AUDIENCE NOT LARGE.

Mile. Zelie de Lussan has added her
name to the list of the worlds famous
prima donnas who have sung in the
Auditorium To be sure. SO far the list
contains but two names. Nordica and
de Lussan. but the list is growing. The
two have beea heard within the year.
Topeka concert goers would have felt
sighted had Mile. de Lussan married
and retired from the stage without hav-
ing been heard in the Auditorium. She
has been heard, and her singing has been
compared with the vocal accomplish
ments of Nordica.
1t was not a large audience which de
Lussan, not so large by -fourths
as the one which greeted Nordica- Last
night about 1900 people heard the con-
cert. and everyone was especially intent
upon comparing the two great divas
When the Topeka Choral society had
sung Awake the Harp" from Haydn's
''The Creation" and the members of the
chorus had left the stage, all eyes were
turned toward the door at the side of
the stage. In a moment the door was
opened. Fronani appeared leading Mile.
de Lussan.
The prima donna was attired in a daz-
cling costume of blue. cut very much
black hair was not done in high couture.
1t was more on the towseled, abandoned
style which would exactly suit the role
of Carmen" The dress was COM
pletely covered with gold spangles. DE
Iussan in reality flashed forth in all her
even when she crossed the threshold. In
q. moment there was buzz. The audi
ence was whispering first impressions
and making comparisons. De Lussan
Ia irving of "a
which ELAPSED before her first number
very we'll
No trait in common between de Lus-
san and Nordica can be found. De Lus-
san was cocuettish. She tossed her
head; she smiled and now ana then her
lip would curl Just little. There is
more than a suspicion of a sWagger to
her walk and her air of self conscious
ness never leaves her for an instant
No wonder she is credited with being
the best of "Carmens.' She is perfectly
fitted for the role. Her every move,
glance and impatient kick to her train
could but display the true temperament
of Bizet's impulsive cigarette girl. Nor
dica was stately, gracious and seeming
" unconscious of the several thousands
eyes focused upon her. She was an ideal
"Brunehilde." She could not compete
with de Lussan in the role of Carmen"
nor could de Lussan share honors with
her as the Wagnerian goddess.
Mile. de LusSan'S first number of four
SGlCGLlOnS was well CHOSEN ana served
to display her versatility. The first,
Mendelssohn's ION the Wings of Song"
was within the understanding of all. 1t
was near enough to a simple ballad to
catch the ear of the most unmusical.
Denza'S May Morning" the second,
gave an idea of the range of the sing
er's voice and hint as to her dramatic
powers. Thomas "Connais tn lie Pays"
developed the sweetness and quality of
her tones and '.Styrienne" from Mig
he ipIr of
the dash and abandon the DriIna donna
could infuse into her famous part of the
jealous Spanish girl.
Mile de Lussan's programme was
made up of many popular selections.
Nevin's ''Auf Wiedersehen', preceded La
Paloma." There was probably no one
in the audience who could hum at all
but could indicate a few bars from
Yradier's dashing Spanish composition
Bands and orcheStraS have played it but
de Lussan was to sing it for the first
time before a Topeka audience. La
Paloma" can not be rated as an ex-
ceedingiy difficult selection and still no
one but a thoroughly accomplished vo-
cRlist could sing it and sing it as It
should be sung.
De Lussan was given an ovation when
Eronani struck the first notes of the
accompaniment to La Palorna" The
selection was by all odds the most popu-
lar Of ALL Mile. de Lussan was recalled
four times but would not repeat the
number. She was recalled after singing
Allitsons Love is a Bubble" and she
repeated it.
The closing number was ''Habanera''
by Mile. de Lussan and the Topeka
Choral society. The chorus sang re-
markedly well with Mile. de Lussan, or
The prima donna sang exceedingly well
with the chorus. The number seemed
too short. The audience had but begun
to enjoy it, when, with a toss of her
head de Lussan. Carmen for the time
being, had finished. OF all the choruses
by the Topeka society this seemed tho
best The voices were nicely blended