The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-03-14
ADJUSTMENTS


Madame Melba received an ovation at
the Jefferson theatre last night The au-
dience was quite large and was represen-
tative of Birmingham culture and must
cal taste.
This city is noted for its discriminating
audiences on musical occasions. Be the
audiences small or such as fill the house,
they are, as rule, appreciative but sell
dom demonstrative. Last night. however,
enthusiasm prevailed from the beginning
to the end of what might with truth be
styled a tone banquet Of rare merit.
Media was assisted by a company of
excellent artists which included Ellison
Van Hose, tenor; Monsieur Gilbert, bar
itone; signorina sassoli, harp; C. K.
North, flute, and Miss Davies, piano. I'm
like many concert troupes where the star
is famous enough TO draw without any
other attraction, every member Of Mel
ba's company belonged to the first rank.
The programme follows:
Trio for harp, piano and flute (Ober-
thur, Sgnorina Sassoli Miss Davies and
Mr.. North.
Songs, (a) "Plaisir d'Amour" (Martini)
(b) "Jeunes Fillettes" (Wekerlin)-old
song of the eighteenth century-Monsieur
Gilbert.
The Mad Scene.p from Lucia di Lam
mermoor" DonizettD Madame Media.
Flute obligato, Mr.. North.
"Nordlsche Ballade," for harp (Poenitz),
Signorina Sassoli.
Aria, Celeste Aida" (VerdD, Mr.. Van
Hose.
Good Bye" (TostD. Madame Media.
''Malgre Moi (Pfeiffer), Monsieur Gill
bert.
'Danse des slyphes" (Godefroid), signo-
rina Sassoli
"a Summer Night wan der stuclSen).
Mr.. Van Hoose.
valse, "se saran Pose (Ardit). Mad
anne Melba.
Duet, "Crucihx" tFaure). Mr.. Van
Hoose and Monsieur Gilbert.
Those in the audience who heard Melba
in opera In New York ten years ago.
when she created a Juror In the must
ca world, were delighted to listen again
to her marvellous voice and to hear 1t as
fresh and resonant as in other days. And
those who heard the great diva for the
first time last night had a treat that
they will long remember.
Endowed by nature with pure, mus
ical voice, Melba's training has result
ed In perfect vocaization and this is the
chief feature of her singing. Other voices
are more sympathetic and have more
color perhaps, and other artists may
have more temperament than Media, but
in hexibility of voice and the ease and
beauty with which she delivers her notes,
nc sporano surpasses this distinguished
artist Her trills are faujtless and her
enunciation Is always cleflr and satisfy
Ing.
Media was greeted with tumultuous APP
plause. In her first number, the Mad
Scene" from Lucia de Lammermoor, she
rendered It as only Media could She was
forced to respond to an encore and after
each of her numbers came encore songs.
Comm Through the Rye" was one OF
the extra pieces. and It made of course,
a wonderful hit
Mr.. Van Hose. the tenor, made sin
grlarly fine impression. His musicianship
Is of high order while his voice is fresh
and his intonation true. Monsieur Gill
bert, the baritone. has the operate dash
and a charming voice.
OF the instrumentalists the little harp
list, a young lady in her teens, proved
herself to be n vlrtuoso OF uncommon
skill and brilllance, and Miss Davies, the
aecompanist, was a thorough artist.
With one exception. no Birmingham au-
dience this season, has seemed so fully
repaid as that which turned out last
night.