The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-05-12
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES RECITAL

Any attempt to review the recital given
by the worlds great contralto, Nine. Schu-
mann Heink, at the First Baptist church
last evening, can be nothing but another
tribute. to her worth. 1t was not alone the
magnificent voice that captivated the
audience, but the dominant womanliness
and the. hearty good will. One could not
but feel she was the woman as well as
the artist. AS she stepped down from the
stage after her first number, she saw
Fraulein Schoen-Rene and stopped amid
the applause to take her by the hand.
After the recital many prominent
musicians and music lovers found an ops
portunity to meet the prima donna. Her
delight was evident when any one who
spoke German was presented, but she
talked willingly in English with others,
telling of her trip from Texas. When
asked If she had rested, she answered
smiling, ooh yes, I hat Sleep" Certainly
no fatigue manifested itself in her voice,
and altho the program included numbers
requiring the widest diversity of inter-
probation, she essayed each with marvel
Gus success. Her wonderful tonal effects
were noticeable turnout, tho obtained
sometimes even thru sacrifice in other di-
rections Nine. Schumann-Heink puts a
power of meaning into her words. Indeed,
in Schubert's die Allnacht,' the ''erbar-
mung' was enough to draw tears from
ones very heart.
The first number on the program in
Guided a recitative and aria from Mendel-
ssohns "St. Paul." which was the only
thing sung in English, the favorite "Wo-
him" and the majestic Die Allnacht, "
both by Schubert. "Wohin'' was surpris-
ingly delicate and tender and was SO en-
Enthusiastically applauded that she was
obliged to repeat it.. More could not be
asked for than the rendition of Die ALL
nacht. An effective and rather new con-
ception Of Der Tod ind Das Maedchen,' .
sung as an encore, yielded new delight
Schumann's song cycle, "Frauenliche
und Leben," the words Of which were
written by Channisso, fined the second
number Of the program 8 y It II Included eight
songs, in which Schumann has most
faithfully reflected the thought, OF. the
poem, thus lending it much dramatic
force. The cycle tells the story Of love,
dealing with the moment Of meeting, the
growth Of love, the confession, the ring,
the marriage, the joy and glory Of moth
erhood, and the final desoateness after the
loved ones death. This afforded ample
opportunity for versatility and breadth OF
treatment. Twice In the cycle was the
singer interrupted by applause. The whole
was a glorious example Of color effects
She replied to the, encore with a hun1or.
Gus folk-song, which was well enjoyed
both by the singer and the listeners. "
The last number, consisting Of Brahms
"Sappische Ode the ''Frlhlingslied' b,
Becker and Arditis .Bolero,'' formed
happy climax. In the "Bolero'' the grea
| contralto displayed to the utmost the tlex
Utility Of her voice which has so aston
| ished the New York audiences in this sea
sons grand opera. AS an encore she san,
the Drinking Song from 'Iucrezi;
] Borgia" which was greatly enjoyed.
The consensus Of opinion seems to b.
that the Schumann -Heir1k recital was tn
best thing, generally speaking, In mus
ical way. that Minneapolis has enjoye,
| this winter.
Miss Josephine Hartmann acted very &C
ceptably as accompanist. II any faul
were to be found, she might be said t
lack force in passages where force wa
NEEDED.
-TIei1rietta Boardman