The Topeka state journal., 1906-04-24
Her Art Is at the Very Pinnacle
of Perfection.
Displayed Remarkable Resources
at Concert Last Night.
AUDIENCE CHARMED.
Over Fifteen Hundred Persons
on Hand to Applaud.
She Hopes to Bring an Opera
Company Here Sometime.

Nordica night is always a gala night
in Topeka. This great diva sang for
the third time in concert at the Audi
torium last night and although her au-
dience was not so large as at either of
her previous engagements here it num-
bered over fifteen hundred and was
perhaps the most musical and appre-
ciative that has greeted her in Topeka.
The people who went to hear her when
she came before, largely from curiosity
and in order to say that they had heard
her either came back in a different
spirit last night, drawn by the wonder
full charm of this great artist and de-
lightful woman, or stayed away. AS
a consequence there was an audience
of discriminating taste and enthusiast
tic interest, many of whom came from
out of town.
And they were we'll repaid for it was
a splendid concert largely Nordica with
a few piano numbers by an excellent
artist, new to Kansas audience, Signor
Angelo Patricolo. Madames songs
were we'll choseQ for the occasion Her
nrst' number was the Elizabeth Aria
from Tannhauser, and she gave besides
groups of English, French and German
songs, three each. Her encores were
Oscar WelPs Spring Song, The Suwanee
River. the Cry of the Valkyrie from
When Love Is Kind, a dainty fragment
which is among her favorite encores,
and which was composed by Mrs.
Amelia Lehman, the mother of Liza
Lehman who, in the well known song
cycle. in q Persian Garden, has set to
music some of the best Quatrains of
Omar Khayyam.
The prima donna was in superb voice
and her unaffected charm of manner
had its usual effect in captivating her
audience. 10 1fcf a6r n
doubtedly she is one of the most gen
orally beloved of the great singers. I'm
doubtedly, too, her more frequent Wis
its here and the fact that she is Amer
ican born have a great deal to do with
her local popularity. But in general
the enthusiasm with which she is
greeted wherever she sings is an un-
qualified tribute to her art, now fully
ripened and matured and at the very
pinnacle of its perfection. There re-
mains nothing to be said of Madame
Nordica's singing which has not al
ready been expressed many times and
far more apt1y than this writer could
say it. 1t is always a wonder and a
delight Not alone her voice-pecu-
HaIly resonant and sympathetic, with
it's thrillingly rich, sweet tones, -indi-
vidual, positive and emphatic or ex-
qufsitely caressing, as occasion de-
mands-but her temperament and YER
satility as we'll command an admira-
stion that extends itself almost to the
limits of awe. Her tone production is
irreproachable, her phrasing, pure ana
graceful, her enunciation faultless.
In her programme last night she
displayed that remarkable histrionic
gift which makes her one of the great
est operatic singers of her day. IN
spite of her strong personality she
| lends herself completely to the COM
| poser's mood, Illuminating with a re-
markable shifting of moods and a
marvellous insight the most subtle
/ shadings. and Elusive nuances of the
inner meanings of the score. Her in
terpretations are always inspired ano
every shade of emotion is expressed
with infinite variety of tone colorine
by that organ Of rare and beautiful
quality and perfect teehnic, her
matchIess~ voice.
Il love to sing here" the prima
donna said last night in her dressing
/ room. when her concert was over and
the conventional compliment had the
ring of sincerity. For one thing, it was
not solicited. L hope to come back
again and bring an opera company
she went on. but do hope the
Auditorium will be better lighted be-
cause otherwise" she added with
charming naivete. Il can't show of
my gowns" The one she wore last
night was weH worth showing off. Il
| was of the richest ivory satin but sof
and DlfabIe. The long trained skir
had a flounee rin Van Dyke points OF
rare lace and an elaborate design II
embroidered pink roses. The decolIet-
1 age was draped with a steel and pear
| passementeEie and she wore tiara OF
pearls and diamonds and many other
exquisite jewels. Mr.. z. RomaynC
simmons who has been with her for e
| number of seasons, played her accom-
paniments again last night. Signol
Patricolo played, in addition to the
numbers. on the programme. waltz Of
his own interpelated between Madame
Nordfca's French and German groups
and in encore the Tremolo Etude OF