The Indianapolis journal., 1903-05-23
Most Auspfcfous Opening OF the Beau
tiful Assembly Room Of the
New ClaypOoI Hotel.
MUSIC LOVERS AT RECITAL
ONE OF THE MOST FASHIONABLE
AUDIENCES SEEN IN THE CITY.
Diva Places a Laurel Wreath Over a
Bust of wagner-Praise for
Miss Hartman.

1t is not often that an Indianapolis audi
ence at a song recital becomes aroused to a
state of wild enthusiasm, but such was the
case last night when the handsome assem-
bly, room of the new Claypool Hotel was
formerly opened with concert by the
famous German contralto, Nine. Schu-
mann Heink. Greeted by a crowded house
and applauded with continuous hand
clappings and cries of bravo after every
number she rendered, the great singer
scored a success such has not fallen to
the lot of any other artist visiting this city
for many years. The event was one of the
most fashionable musical functions that
has occurred in Indianapolis in several sea-
sons. The presence of an artist justly cele-
brated the world over; the brilliant gather
ing of women in handsome toilets and men
in evening dress and the brand new amuse-
meht auditorium which. for general at
of these factors contributed to the impor-
tance of the occasion.
The new assembly room is a most note
worthy addition to the city's amusement
places, and its opening last night, under
such unusually favorable circumstances,
will mark epoch in the city's history.
The auditorium presents an appearance
that is grand In its simple elegance. The
woodwork is of ivory white and the CELL
ing and walls of sage green. The place
was beautifully Illuminated and everything
showed to fine advantage. The ceiling is
studded with bright electric lighcs, whilo
the side lights along the walls shining
through globes of ground glass, produce a
soft Illumination that is very pleasing to
the eye. The ceiling is low, and while the
new amusement room would not be suitable
for big orchestral concerts or the presenta-
tion of. choral work, il is host admirably
fitted to a recital such as the one of last
evening.
A TRUE ARTIST.
In writing of the great singers voice it
is hard to say which quality is the most TO
be admired. Nine. Schumann-Heink is an
artist If there ever was one Possessed of
full quota of technique, her wonderful
voice loses nothing of its richness. its
sweetness, its sympathy, its pathos and its
dramatic fire. She is the same great singer
to-day that she was ten years ago. She un-
derstands singing as few vocalists can ever
hope to understand 1T; she knows better
than anyone else the power that lies In her
glorious tones and she carries her hearers
tention whether they are music lovers or
not 1t is doubtful If a singer has ever
before so completely won over an Indian
apolis audience as did this matronly Ger
man woman last night. The large audi
ence left the assembly room at the end
of the concert in such a happy frame of
mind that nobody seemed to object i'm the
least TO trudging down eight flights of
stairs TO the ground floor of the hotel-a
journey made necessary 10 the greater part
of the audience on account of the fact
that only one elevator in the new hosiery
was in working order.
Immediately upon her appearance Nine
Schumann-Heink was given an ovation.
showing that she had not been forgotten
since her engagement in Indiana polls eigh-
teen months ago with the Grau Grand
Opera Company. Her first number was a
recitative and aria from Mendelssohn's s
ligious music with the deepest feeling
Her note OF personal and vocal authority
was struck at the very outset of her
recital. and no audience could have been
she poured forth her heart in flow of
song The number following the Mem
delssohn composition was work of a de-
lightfully CHEEKY nature. and the singer y
face was wreathed In smiles as she sang
it, while the good humor seemed to fairly
bubble from her lips. The song was
'wohin" c'Where?), by Franz Schubert
and Nine. Schumann-Heink rendered IL as
IL she loved it. The audience laughed with
her just as IN had almost wept with her a
few moments before. Her third number
was another composition OF Schubert's-
"Die Allmacht'.-in which the singer dis
played most unusual range of voice and
rendered the work with such marvellous
effect that her enchanted listeners burst
into a storm OF approval and insisted upon
an encore. The singer graciously responded
with a bright little German song. The
Brook" piece that gave her another