The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-09-14
he THEATREN

dropped into Keith's for an hour or so
yesterday afternoon, and ever since I've
been busy congratulating myself for the
pleasant half hour I spent behind the
scenes. There was one act on the ball
which alone would repay anyone who
hears IT, THIS is Nine. Slapoffsh. the
operatic prima donna, who Is making her
first bow TO local vaudeville patrons and
whose debut here is being signalized by
one of the greatest trilimphs ever scored
by a vocalist in this city. When she made
her appearance there was only the well
come OF a few musical people, and felt
that after all there were a few other
people who weren't familiar with her.
and the musical people were welcoming
her because OF the reputation which had
preceded her. She WAS an amazingly
little woman, with simple. girlish ap-
pearance and modest manner and she
wore stunning all-over lace gown OF
cream white. When the orchestra played
the opening chords OF the jewel song
from Faust" she opened her lips and
/ there came forth a volume OF the sweet
est, clearest music that IL has ever been
my good fortune TO hear. 1t fairly
electrified the audience who sat as IL
dumb until the last note had died away.
and then the applause was tumultuous. 1t
was like a volcano and emanated from
every part OF the theatre I'm the most
spontaneous fashion. II was hard to be-
lieve that such a truly big voios came
from such a slip OF a woman. Even the
most exacting OF critics could find moth
ing To adversely criticize in either the
voice or execution.
The voice. while splendid In quantity.
was as mellow and clear as a bell and
had in IL the sympathetic quality which
makes one hold ones breath and makes
little thrills run UP and down ones back.
Her enunciation was extraordinary I
was sitting In the very last row Of the
orchestra floor and yet could hear every
word OF her songs as distinctly as II
were within n few feet OF her.
I might enthus indefinitely about this
wonderful voice. had I time or space. but
II is OF the woman. not the voice. would
gpeak- When / had recovered from the
surprise and the exertion my vigorous
applause had caused me- found my way
around 20 the stage door. bent on a little
chat with the singer with the strange
name, and In the midst OF my practising
how TO pronounce IL Nine. Slapoffski's
manager presented himself before me.
courteously Offering TO escort me to
madame's dressing-room Mime. Slapofr-
eki's manager bye the bye. Is NJ II. Cur
tis. the famous Samuel OF Posen," whose
name for the past rs years has been a
household word On our way over 10
madame's dressing-room ! tried TO get
him 10 talk about himself but he
modestly evaded. saying. After have
Madame Slapoffski safely established In
America j will have time 20 talk about
myself. but in the meantime" He
hesitated. and murmured. still under
the spell OF that magnetic voice, ct
shouldn't think there'd be much difficulty
with a voice like hers"
mo. I'm happy 20 say there doesn't
seem 10 be much difficulty" Mr.. Curtis
responded. with n glad smile breaking
over his face. We've only been in
America few weeks and everything and
everyone has been SO nice that madame
has decided she wants Ia stay here. we
came over TO secure the rights 10 some
OF the big American musical comedy sue
cesses, like Dolly Warden The MockIna
Bird and others. There Is no question
that there r. pile OF money To be made
with such musical comedies IN Australia.
ana believe the time Is fast coming In
every country when n musical comedy
will not be a success unless there IA n
voice 10 sing the leading role. Take
Shuman-Heink and FRITZ scher for
example. they have voices which Is more
than can be said for many so-cailed
musical comedy stars. and the time is
coming when everyone who sings the
leading roles In musical comedies must
have a voice. Sousa and Smith are
collaborating on new musical comedy
which / may secure for Madame
slapoffski. and Victor Herbert IN also
writing one for madame. IN either OF
theee II satisfactory we will use II nrst
IN America and later in Australia. or
course. however. IL would be almost i'm
possible to bring Madame 10 America I'm
. musical comedy. even one bearing ths