The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-05-10
In THE MUSICAL WORLD
SEVERAL IMPORTANT CONCERTS IN
INDIANAPOLIS DURING MAY.
Schumann's-Heink' Recital-The Bach
FestiyaI-Gcrman House Concert
Victor Herbert i'm Town;

One of the most notable musical and
social events of the year in indianapolis
will be the song recital of Nine. SchlInann-
Heink in the assembly room of the new
Claypool Hotel, upon the occasions of the
opening of that beautiful new place of en-
tertainment a week from next Friday
night. There has been an excellent sale
of subscription tickets, indicating that
great deal of interest is being taken in the
coming concert. The prices for seats will
be from $50 TO $3.50.
Ernestine Schumann- Heink, the greatest
contralto of the time, has been before the
public for twenty years.. She was seven
teen when she applied for the position of
contralto at the Court Theater of Dresden.
Then she sang Fides aria from lie
Prophetic and the Brindisi from "I.ucrezia
Borgia," and was Immediately engaged.
Soon afterward she went to the Stadt The
alter, Hamburg, where Klafsky and frernina
developed. In 1876 she made her first APP
pearance at Bayreuth, singing Erda, Wal
traute and one of the Norns in the Wagner
music dramas. Criticism of her work there
was Of such favorable caste that Maurice
Grau engaged her for Covent Garden. Lon
don, and the Metropolitan Opera House,
New York
Music lovers that recall the old-f&shioned
Italian performances of Wagner's ''Lohen-
grim best understand the reason Of Mime.
Schumann-Heink's pre-eminence. the first
scene of the second act of Lob engrin''
used TO be regarded bore; now It Is one
of the great scenes of the opera. and no
one wishes to miss it when Nine. Schu-
mann-Heink is the Ortrud. So the scene
between Wotan and Fricka at the begin
ming OF the second act OF die Walkure"
has taken on new value in the voice and
acting or Nine. Schuma AZ -Heink, apd the
once excised Waltraute scene in "Gotter-
daemmerung is found TO be of imposing
eloquence and pathos when she mas the
part.
Nine. Schumann-Heinks genius Cor dra-
matte impersonation has made Fer sue
cessful in the Wagner roles, and she also
has the colorful voice and subtle Skill de-
manded by the Italian operas. Her COM
mand OF her audience was impressively
demonstrated at the farewell performance
for the benefit of the retiring director, Mr..
Grau, at the Metropolitan Opera House on
the evening of the 9TH of last month Nine.
Schumann-Heink sang the part of Mary in
the first act of THE Flying Dutehman."
At the close she was showered with
wreaths, and roses and in the course of
the evening none Of the prima donnas was
more applauded.
Victor Herbert, orchestral director, COM
THE Fortune Teller and 1.-The Singing
GIRL and Americas greatest 'cellist, was
in indianapolis Friday night, accompanied
by his famous Pittsburg Orchestra. Mr..
Herbert and his organization of musicians
stopped in the city for the night 20 break
the trip from Greencastle to Columbus,
o. The great composer AID one of his COM
pany went in search of a light midnight
r.,.,
was enjoying a high BALI at Eotel bar
when two morning newspaper mel: walked
into the place carrying some pig shanks."
The identity of Mr.. Herbert was net known
how fondiy he looked at the tempting ar
ray of cold pork near by A full, view Of
the face of the great composer convinced
Club that he was Victor Herbert and the
member introduced himself
DO you know" said the great composer.
that L have been standing here while you
and your friend were eating .he pig
knuckles trying to muster up courage to
ask for just a small slice, but as my cour-
age came TO me the 'knuckles disappeared,
and by the time l was ready to come to you
the pork was all gone. L would rather have
a good tender pig knuckle' than al quail or
a nice order of turkey.
A messenger was called and sent after
several pig shanks," which the musical d.
rector greatly appreciated. Mr.. Herbert
then talked interestingly of his new opera,
BABES in Toyland."
al believe l have as big a success in my
new opera as The Fortune Teller or The
Singing GIRL" he said. II haven't COM
pleted IL. but will within a very few days.
1t is TO be produced by Hamlin & Mitchell.
the Chicago managers, who have made such
a pronounced success with The Wizard of
Or running at the Majestic .Theater,
New York. They have guaranteed TO give
Ii a most magnificent production when II
opens at the Grand Opera House in Chi
cago next month for a summer run will
not be able TO attend the opening perform
ance, but will be In Chicago as soon as