The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-12-03

cess in the musical centers of England,
France and Italy. Miss Neilsen's con-
cert tour will be entirely operate. She
will sing scenes and excerpts from
Don Pasquale, "Crispinoe la Comare,''
Barber of Seville Faust "RigO-
letto,' Lucia and many others. A
complete orchestra will accompany
Miss Nielsen on her tour, and she will
be assisted by company of foreign
artists.
It is not a far cali back to the days
when Alice Nielsen was a member of
the choir in st. Patrick's church in
Kansas City, and there are many peo-
pie in topeka who remember of her
appearance in opera as an amateur.
Even in those days Alice Nielsen was
a star among ambitious students of
music, as she now is a star among the
professionals of the operate stage.
Stress of circumstances took her to
San Francisco, where she secured place
with the Tiyoli Opera company. Stead
ly she climbed toward leading prina
donna roles. One evening Henry Clay
Barnabee and w. H. Mcdonald of the
Bostonians heard her in Lucia di
LammermoOr." At once she was en-
gagged by the Bostonians. Her great
hit as Yvonne in 1.-THE Serenade" is
matter of history.
Seven years ago Alice Nielsen ap-
peared in Toronto at the head of
her own company IN The Fortune
Teller" Later came fThe Singing
Girl In these two works she attained
the distinction OF being the most pop
ular of prima donnaS in comic opera.
She went to London and there became
imbued with the purpose to sing in
grand opera. One year she studied
with Henry Russell, son of the com
poser of Cheer, Boys, Cheer" Life
on the Ocean Wave" and Three
Cheers for the Red, White and Blue"
and then she was engaged by Robert
Newman for a number of orchestral
concerts in London.
The success that attended her Lon
don debut brought her an engagement
to sing in the London music FESTIVAL. OF
which Arthur Nidsch was conductor.
Then followed another period of study
in Italy. She sang as Marguerite in
Faust al the Theatre Bellini in Ma
pies, and subsequently appeared thir-
teen times in ''Traviatas at San Car
los, the most important theater of Ma
pies. continental tour was ended
that she might participate in the Mo-
Fart cycle, under the direction OF the
celebrated Richter. Her singing OF
Zerline in don Juan" and of Suzanne
in 'The Marriage OF Figaro" height
ened the favor she had won in Orches-
trail concerts and in opera on the con
tinent.
Then came the autumn season of
opera at Covent garden, in which she
sang with Caruso. taking parts that
had been looked upon as Melba, 5 alone
A second season of opera at the wal
dorf found Alice Nielsen and Nine
Calve alternating with Signora Duse- in
drama.
Now Alice Nielsen has returned to
her native land and will appear in the
auditorium on Monday, the 18th OF De-
cember. with a concert company OF
four italian artists. which she selected
from the leading opera. companies in
italy. The concert will consist OF
scenes and selections from Italian
Grand opera and include Signor Fra
foli. baritone: Signor Artucci. basso;
Signorina Colombati mezzo-soprano.
and Signor Alfonso Rosa, buffo, in the
title role.
Seats will go on sale at Stansfeids
on Wednesday. December 6. Prices,
$500. $3.50 and 800. These are the
same prices as charged for her at the