Los Angeles herald., 1907-10-23
The Musical World
By Genevra Johnstone-Bishop

NTME. GADSKI delighted large audi
VH ence last night at Simpson audi
A'A torium. The rain kept few people
awsy.
The program was an interesting one
and great opportunity for young stu
dents. 1t had educational value.
1t seems almost impossible to say
enough in praise of so great an artist as
Nine Gadski. How her versatility is
shown-the program ranged from the
dairty song of Loewe's, "Niemand Hats
Gesehen,' to the great aria from Tam
hauser, "Dich Theure Halle
Every note was a beautiful gem,
although Nine. Gadski was suffering from
slight cold. In addition to her magnifi-
cent voice, her execution. phrasing,
abounding delicacy, intelligent enuncia-
tion and wonderfully dramatic power,
combire to give us a rare treat. and to
place such gifted woman and artist
| upon pedestal as one of our ideals
| Nine. Gadski declared herself as in
I splred last night by her audience, and
touched by the attentions and tribute of
love and admiration shown her by the
people of Los Angeles and the musical
clubs during her few days here.
To me the beauty of her voice and
wonderful dramatic power, as well as
extended range and resonance, were shown
more in her rendition of "Dich Theure
Halle" Few artists can sing this aria
well. do not think Nine. Gadskis voice
| Is as powerful as Nordicas or Lille Leh-
mans. but in native sweetness, creative
power and Interpretation she excels any
soprano before the public today.
| OF course, her German diction is per-
feet. I particularly enjoyed IA Thought
Like Music, of Brahms, Schumann's
"Waleesgespraech,' Schuberts "Staend-
chen, and Der Schmetterling," by La
Forge, The ''Wie Lieb Ich Dich Hab,"
by La Forge, she sang in English, and
it is charming little song. Her encores
wero 1.-THE Erl King" 1.-The Years at the
Spring" of Mrs. H! H. Beach, and the
famous Cry of Brunhude.
Nine. Gadski was beautifully gowned in
dainty white silk MULE over pink silk,
with border of laqe, forming garlands of
flowers, falling over black velvet folds
which formed the bottom of the skirt.
Her Jewels were rare indeed-a collar of
pearl and diamonds surrounded the
throat, underneath falling necklace of
diamonds. She wore three large butter
flies of different colored gems. bunch of
grapes of solid pearls, bracelets, and
ma tchless gems in her golden hair, with
garIards of baby roses, and even these
dainty roses held dew drops of diamonds.
/
ways wears was presented to her by
King Ludwig II of Bavaria, court
medal. Nesting among all these price
| less Jewels was dainty pin presented
to her by the Gamut club last night.
Mr. La Forge is an American. He
has spent many years abroad, but is
proud to be an American. We should
be delighted to claim such a talented
pianist and composer. AS an accom-
panist Mr.. La Forge is one of the few
good ones I have heard in the past two
years travelling with famous singer,
like his delicate touch and his phras-
ing, and / predict wonderfully sue
cessful career for him. What golden
opportunity for so young a musician
to be associated with so great an artist
as Nine. Gadski.
Carl Lancer is one of the greatest
violinist and violin maker of the times.
His program differs widely from that
usually given by great artists. being
varied from the highly classical to the
familiar airs, gratifying all tastes. HIS
rendering of William Withers, jr's, solos
inspires and delights his listeners. He
plays the most difficult violin compost
tions from Paganini, Sivori, Ernst, Mol
lenhauer, Ole Bull and others.
Mr. Lancer has written the following
| article on old violins and their makers
This piece OIL HlSlOTy WAS lOUHQ uOI
long ago in q trunk in the old violin shop
of my grandfather Chas. Lancer, who
died a few years ago and was known as
the dean of violin makers in this country.
The story and history is interesting be-
cause 1t gives one an idea how thousands
upon thousands of performers have been
faxed on old violins. and to this day
these very people who have been faxed
think they still possess an old violin.
"About twenty years ago in one of
our New York courts, violin maker
was on trial for cheating rich society
woman out of a $4,000 fake Stradivarius
violin and the court called in my grand
father Cnas. Lancer, an expert on the
violin, and to give the court testimony
of it's genuineness. Right before the
Jury the expert opened up the violin and
told the court that the violin was made
by machinery and was worth only So
The violin maker was found guilty and
given a sentence of eighteen years.
"What few old violins are left today
are only good as a relic. Violinists of
note would not risk their reputation play
ing upon one of these old violins. The
old violin lacks foundation and. the har-'