The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-08
NINE. ADAMS SCORESAHIT
FASHIONABLE AUDIENCE GREETS
HER AT CLAYPOOL ASSEMBLY.
She Is Ably Assisted by Karl Grie-
nauer, 'CeiIist, and Ward stephens,
Pianist-A Splendid Concert.

Nine. Suzanne Adams, the youngest of
American prima donnas, came to Indian
apolis last night and conquered large and
fashionable audience in the assembly room
of the Claypool Hotel. She was assisted
in giving fine recital by Karl Grienauer,
a cellist from Vienna. and Ward Stephens.
a young American pianist. Nine. Adams is
woman of unusual personal charm as well
/ as a great soprano, and her success was
most pronounced.
She chose the ever-popular Jewel Song"
from Gounods Faust as her opening
deserved her reputation as a singer of great
merit. She possesses a large command Of
expression and an appreciation of the senti-
ment of each composition she renders. Her
voice has a fine, smooth; insinuating quality
and much fire lies behind it, while her
enunciation is well-nigh perfect. This song
or Marguerite's from the tuneful opera was
rendered most artisticafly, and in response
to the demands for an encore Nine. Adams
sang Langdon Ronald's sweet little love
song, Sunbeam" in English, giving it an
exquisite Interpretation. Her other selec-
ton during the first half of the recital
was Massenet's "Elegie," with cello obli-
cato by MIR. Grienauer, and this was SO
beautifully sung that the audience warmed
up to the fair singer with most enthusiast
tic applause.
Karl Grenauer, the cellist from Vienna
and Ward Stephens the American pianist,
opened the evenings programme with
Griegs senate for cello and piano-a COM
position that is rarely heard. 1t is most
difficult work, and Mr.. Grienauer was not
at his best in it. The tones that he drew
from his instrument seemed harsh at times
and the impression made by his playing
was that he was working pretty hard
Later on, however, he demonstrated that
he was thorough musician and an excel
lent 'cellist. but it cannot be said that his
playing of the 'Greig number was wholly
successful. He displayed complete tech
Piattfs Airs Baskyrs.' and in his encore
number, Schumann's delicious 'Traeu-
merei," he drew tones of great sweetness
from his strings. In the second part of the
programme he was heard again, this time
in compositions of Schubert and Pepper,
and strengthened the opinion to his great
ability.
DELIGHTFULLY."- SURPRISED.
The piano playing of Ward Stephens
proved a delightful surprise to the audi
ence. Mr.. Stephens is very unassuming in
manner and looks more like business man
than musician. Unlike the usual piano
virtuoso. he is wholly unaffected and
straightforward, and yet his playing is full
of poetry and sentiment while not lacking
in energy and force His Accomplishments
throughout the evening were played in a
wonderfully sympathetic way and his solo
numbers proved interesting to everybody
present. A pianist cannot always hold the
attention of those who are not especially
drawn to this instrument, but Mr.. Stephens
succeeded in doing this last night. He
played LISTS "Barcarolle," Chopin's beau
tiful Funeral March and Gottschalk' s
''Moto Perpetuo" as his programmed num-
bers. and rendered as an encore selection a
sweet little "Serenade,' by Piernem, which
is still in manuscript and which he is now
introducing for the first time. This dainty
piece well liked by the audience
| that the pianist repeated it, 1t is a de-
| lightful composition and deserves success
| but few will be able to play it as Mr..
| Stephens did last night.
| Madame Adams was heard in group of
songs upon her second appearance-two
| German numbers, 'Du Dist vie cine
Blume," by Schumann, and "Als die alte
| Mutter." by Dvorak, and two French num-
berS, ''Chanson de Juliet" by GODDARD,
| and the brilliant "Valse Printemps," by Leo
! Stern, her husband. All of these were
| gloriously interpreted, especially the spring
| song, and the prima donna, in acknowledg-
! ing the applause, sang another of her hus-
bands compositions (not the pro-
| framme)-a lovely little song called "A
Little Thief" The recital was brought to
| by Madame Adams of Delibes "Arioso
| and Fontenailles "Obstination," with cello
| obligatos, beautifully played by Mr.. Grie-
| nauer. The last recital of this splendid
| series will take place on the evening OF
Wednesday, Jan. 20, in the Claypool Hotel
| assembly room, and will be given by the
| famous Kneisel Quartet Of Boston.