The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-10-22

Violin Playing of Arnold Loh-
mann Well Received.
1t was indeed rare song-bird that
was lured within our gates last night.
! to sing for an hour at the door of our
| hearts. 1t Will be many and many
| day before the echo of some of these
notes of Sembrichs will die away from
the distant halls of memory, whose key
| has long been lost.
| From the moment when Madame
Sembrich was escorted to the platform
at the new armory By r. c. Hand, she
| had the audience at her feet. She looked
| like a figure from Il Boucher painting,
as she came forward and leaned
rounded arm upon the grand piano.
| She wore white satin, richly embroid-
cred in French garlands OF tiny roses
in natural colors. Above the skirts
hem, and meeting the garlands, were
bow knots of gold-cclored embroidery,
sparkling with brilliants. The foot of
| the skirt was bordered with sable. The
bodice was blazing with diamonds. She
| wore a pearl necklace, clasped at the
throat with a splendid cluster of dia-
monds Her abundant dark hair was
simply dressed with no ornaments of
any kind save jewelled side combs.
Madame Sembrich is as absolutely
free from self-consciousness as she is
aglow with the gayest vivacity. modi-
fled by refreshing simplicity. The
charm of her personality was as great
as the charm of her voice.
A Transcendent Voice.
Listening as she sang song after
song, one had to realize that but once
in Il cycle of years, perhaps. truly
transcendent voice is produced. There
are great voices. surprising talent
beautiful results of inheritance and cul-
ture, but of supremely grand voices
only one in the millions.
Such IL voice has Sembrich. and sure
ly she was at her best last night, The
audience may felicitate itself upon
having advantages which few in this
country have enjoyed. in seeing this
great opera singer and hearing her at
short range in one of the finest pro-
grammeS ever presented to the public.
Madame Sembrich herself complains
that most of the concert auditorums
are il-lighted. The arrangements at
the armory were excellent. The stage,
located at the side instead of the end
of the vast building. gave much better
opportunities than have been enjoyed
at previous recital, and the lights
We're strong and effective.
No singer on Il Scranton stage has
ever had so many recalls and such
spontaneous recognition. There was a
little coldness apparent at first but be-
fore the third number was reached
everybody went wild over the ripping
music of that glorious voice.
It is difficult to say which of the three
groups of songs was best. Certain it
is that the fire and spirit of the Italian
composers met adequate Interpretation
IN her temperament This was felt
even in the unfamiliar 80 Scrpina PEN
serete,' rs well as in the encore from
La Somnambua. Madame SEM
brichs English in the Joshua" ora
torio was clear and beautiful.
The Beethoven Number.
In the first group perhaps the Beeth-
oven number stood apart as more re-
plete with the illusions that drown the
senses, for the beauty of her tones
lent new understanding Of what the
song could be- Later in the "Fruh-
lingsnacht" "A different phase of her
wonderful gifts made distinct con-
trast, and certain thrilling quality
in the gliding from upper to middle
register was emphasized.
1t was magical touch that she put
into the little Greg song of Hidden
Love- when the throbbing of the
heart break ran through the lines as
she sang of the maiden forsaken tho
emotional effect being plainly commu-
Al, t.sI tlp yNl,
mirth of the "Zicl5eltauz" which fol-
lowed. gave evidence to her vers,tiI;tv
of mood
rho gracious sririt of ,,e sr.,t si,o-
ar onneoIed to The audience which ,roit-