Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-10-21
Notes and Comment on Musical Matters

the great Italians position In the modern
music world:
1t is generally conceded that his II Pag-
liacct' was one of the dominating factors
in Italian opera, and gave 1t new life by
seeking to combine the ancient heritage
Of melody left BY Verdi. Donizetti and
dramatic reforms of Wagner and his fol-
lowers Leoncavallo was not a mere imita-
tor however, and while he was Intelligent
enough to adopt the manner of the Neo-
Germans, he was original enough 10 break
away from their subject matter and to
own. Speaking birds, megaphone dragons,
aying horses, and ar mysacaI mayth0iogisstt
texts around which to write the full
blooded, richly corpuscled music with which
the he Ht m tSs9s 9 tho
material he sought Where there are
human beings there is DRAMA" said Leon
the speech OF the persons around me, the
ones / know and have met in the flesh.
with whose thoughts, and motives, and
familiar?' That Is the in the main what
Leoncavallo did. and his success is now a
matter of musical history.
Miss Louise Ormsby Of Central City,
Neb., sang the soprano role OF Verdl's
Requiem" at the Worcester (Mass>) festi-
val week or two ago. Leonard Liebling
had the following comment in the Courier
upon the performance generally and Miss
Ormsbys singing in particular:
The performance OF the requiem" was
ardent, imprisoned, vital, ana the singers
seemed not at all the same body that mad
performed 50 listlessy ana ineffecuvely ths
evening before. From the mel est plants
simo in the "Agnus Del TO the mlk uest
forte in the Dies Irae'' the chorus showed
itself capable of every dynamic shade. The
aF1tr nRtlra 10 70 hat nd
accomplished when necessary with the
force and impresAveness Of thunderbolt.
LONELINESS Of tone, perfection OF PIN asing
and masterful balance In color, volume and
rhythm were the other predominating ele-
ments in this remarkable performance for
which the credit should be airport. one
equally between the chorus ana the con-
ductor.
The soloists were fired with the enthusi-
asm of the singers behind them and gave
their parts in a manner which Worcester
had not heard in all the six performances
Of the Requiem" The voices OF the quar-
tet could not have been better matched.
and the "blend"-that bugbear of all solo
ensembles-was smooth enough to satisfy
even the most finieal ear. Miss Louise
result was piece OF Singing whose snoe
ity no one could doubt The soprano Iart
Of The ''Requiem" f. a task that requires
the highest order OF vocalism and interpre-
tative powers of the most versatile kind.
Miss Ormsby,s resources contain all the
6sTay registers sSs and t she SysPed them
nus Del" and on the final solo, 'IAbeia
me-" Particularly the latter wac as An
ished and moving performance as could
possibly be imagined and calls for the
highest praise.
Master Earl Victor PrahI, the boy So
prano OF the Blakesiee Concert company.
will sing elders Sing My Soul His
Wondrous Love" at the Young Mems
Christian association mems meeting In the
Lyric Theater Sunday afternoon, October
q At 4 y. m.
On Friday afternoon Mrs. r. u. Howell
gave an informal musicale. Miss Luten
who has just returned from several years
study OF the piano in Germany, gave
several numbers.
The recital given last Thursday night by
Mrs. Turner. Mr.. Ellis. Mr.. cuscaden and
Madame Administering was = thoroughly
enjoyable affair The program was dlsni-
Ned and instructive. and was listened to
with quiet attention and Interest. Though
the audience was not large. It was represen-
tative.
Church music Of more than ordinary in
terest to thoss who love the best will be
presented today at 81. Mays Avenus Cen
gregational church At the morning service.
Mr.. Kelly, assisted by full choir and solo
lists. will present excerpts from the ora
torio. The Last Judgment" by spohr. the
great viollniSt and composer. spohr has
been conceded by critics 10 be ono Of tbs
very greatest masters OF composition. lie
was born In lisa and he died on October q