The Saint Paul globe., 1905-01-25
At St. Paul Theaters

Genuine contraltos are so rare that
TO near a cultivated one is distinct
pressure In itself even though the sing
er be lacking in those gifts that are
necessary to the completest interpreta-
tIon Of composers theme. A con-
traito possessing such gifts, however, is
superabundantly equipped to. charm her
audience, for invariably there is quail
lty In those lower voices when intelli-
gently developed that moves the heart.
MISS Murlel Foster, who sang at the
Park congregational church last night,
has both the voice and the tempera-
mental gifts. Personally she is most
attractive. There is something in her
carriage that suggests Mrs. Patrick
Campbell, but in face and in manner
she is more typically English than the
actress. Her audience last evening was
large, representative and appreciative
and the singer seemed well pleased
with its cordial attitude
The programme sung was not heavy
one. 1t was made UP of two groups of
English songs Zone added in compli-
ment to the audience), group of Ger
man songs, another of French songs,
and the Handel recitative and air,
Las CHA CHI 10 pianga.' When she
sang the last named-her opening num-
Der-there was just a suggestion of
throatiness in her voice that somewhat
maFred her enunciation. There was no
mlstak1ng, however, the supple strength
of the voice, it's rich coloring, it's un-
usual quality. All the beauty that was
suggested in this number was fully re-
vealed as the programme progressed
But it was noticeable that the singers
most pronounced success was scored in
those songs that voiced sadness in
stead of mirth. She is handicapped, in
Interpreting lighter moods, by the Sax
on misunderstanding to abandon her
self to the gayety of the composers
merrier moods. But this is partly, too
a limitation of the contralto voice.
Most of the songs written for it "tell of
saddest thought"
Reynaldo Hahn's eli Mes vers ava
lent des Allies" was one of the most ex-
quisitely sung numbers on last nights
programme. Garat's "Dans lie prin-
temps de mes annies" and Tosti's
"Chanson de Padieu" were also admir-
ably suited to the grave, sweet voice.
Of the English songs, Might" by G. w.
Cox, and "Melisande in the Wood" by
Goetz, were particularly well inter-
preted. The German lieder were a
Brahms group, and the contralto is
well equipped vocally and tempera-
mentally to interpret Brahms.
The audience was insistent in the
matter of encores and Miss Foster was
very gracious, adding five songs in all
to the original programme. Miss Kate
Eadie was the accompanist. She was
quite satisfactory.
The concert was given under the au-
spices of the Schubert club.
Musical comedy, genuinely American
and with Southern characters, is the
description of "A Girl From Dixie"
which closes it's engagement at the
Metropolitan with matinee today at
2:3O and last performance tonight.
Although the imported musical COM
edies have held sway in this country
for a decade or more, it devolved upon
Harry B. Smith, the author of Robin
Hood" to write a musical comedy
which would reflect the atmosphere of
our own country, and in "a Girl from
Dixie he has constructed book which
concerns an interesting bit of Southern
romance with a true heart interest.
Sam S. Shubert's "a Chinese Honey
moon" will come to the Metropolitan
the latter part of next week. It's sue
cess is we'll known. With a years stay
in New York and long runs in Chicago,
Philadelphia and Boston, and it is still
running in London, proves it's attract
i've qualities 1t comes with the orig
inal production.
The comedian Sam Bernard, in 1.-THE
Girl from Kay's," will be the attrac-
ton at the Metropolitan for four night
performances, beginning Sunday. Come
dian and play are being presented by
Charles Frohman and George Edwards.
The two have joined fortunes in the
presentation Of this farcical comedy
with music. After having a run of
two years in London it was imported
to New York last season, where it ran
for one entire season, in Boston for
four months and eight weeks in Chi
cago. Miss Hattie Williams, who made
reputation with the Rogers Brothers,
plays the leading female part.
There will be matinee of David
Belasco's "The Heart of Maryland at
the Grand today at go. The produc-
ton of the play is meritorious and the
company is competent Miss Eulalia
Sennett as Maryland Calvert gives an
excellent portrayal of a difficult role.
Fritz and Snitz," new musical COM
edy in which Mason & Mason will
be seen at the Grand for a week, COM
mencing next Sunday matinee, abounds
in many catchy musical numbers. 1t is
well mounted and is frightened by
many pretty faces.
Despite the extreme cold weather
prevalent crowded houses greet Scrib-
ner's morning glories at the Star this
week. The aforesaid speaks for itself
as to the worth of the performance.
PHILADELPHIANS CALL
RON qAADE CHhEEAJT