Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1907-01-27

CLEANS of brightness for the
music lovers of Omaha. The most
LlkHSAlI artistic event OF the week was
the concert given by the Musical
Art society, Mr.. simms directing. In all
probability the chorus has rehearsed at
least once week since early fall, else how
could 1t have attained such high degree
of proficiency in precision, style and tone
production7 But what recognition did it re-
ceive at its first concert of the season?
Only the enthusiastic and unstinted ap-
plause of the faithful few who are always
on hand when there is real music to be
heard, who on this occasion were sung to
over many empty seats. 1t is not at all
an encouraging prospect for the Omaha
May Festival association that proposes to
work for the next four months on "Elijah"
to be given to the public. with the assist
ance of the best obtainable soloists early
In May. True the members will have an
intimate knowledge OF this great work, but
it becomes necessary at times TO pay mu-
sicians to say naught of the very human
feeling we all do possess that we want to
be approved for our good work. Empty
seats make a very poor showing toward
approval-and. oh, what JOY 1t is to give
forth of your efforts to an enthusiastic
audience. who crowd the house to the door!
Just belong to a chorus for a little while
yourself and you will soon know all about
these feelings.
In an article in the current number of
the Broadway Magazine Elsie Lathrop, dis
cussing the interesting subject, New York
Girls Singing in Grand OPERA makes some
astounding revelations in regard to the
barriers which were formerly placed before
the American singer, ambitious for a grand
A.. -
Eleanora De Cisneros of the Manhattan
Opera company Miss Lathrop says that
this New York prima donna was a men,
Der of the Metropolitan Opera House COM
pany under Maurice Grau, but was never
given opportunity to appear in an i'm
portant role. The writer says:
She had, on a few hours notice, sung
the role of Azucena to Emma Games
Leonora in "Trovatore" in Philadelphia
but, Notwithstanding her success in this
Mr.. Grau had little confidence In American
singers unless they had long years OF Euro
pean experience. He once told young APP
phcant:
"If you had the most remarkable voice 1
had ever heard, no matter how much talent
you showed, would not engage you for
Kew York unless you had appeared with
success in Europe. Make an appearance
there. no matter in how small a city, then
come to me and l will see what l can do
The term, American voice, - which was
frequently hurried at us, especially by our
English friends, as a reproach, has OF re-
cent years taken on a new meaning. One
wide reputation. Nine. Marched, actually
wakes furious over the superiority which
she cannot deny of the American girls
voices 10 those of her pupils OF almost
, every nationality.
Hammerstein Is the kind OF man Melba
likes. as she said after her first interview
TO some friend. He went TO see her after
~ - lou
much do you want per performance for ter
performances?' -Four thousand dollars
each" IAN right" said oscar. got 6
match? I want to smoke and walk around
the block: where's my hat7' The hat wal
, found and Hammerstein walked around
the block TO think the matter over. WheI
re returned he said: An right how mucl
do you wish in advance-how much cash p
Melba said $4,000 was the least she woulC
!, accept Hammerstein took his hat again
drove down to the Credit Lyonnaise an'
came back with the 10000, you're tn
= kind OF man I like. Hammerstein," salt
/, Melba. Nellie" said Oscar. you're tn
: kind OF woman l like" and the deal wa
:, concluded so far as that went. but Melbi
: began to send for Hammerstein once AM
twice a day 10 advise" him on his othe
engagements-and Nordica viii sing wit
Russell and his san Carlo company! Thu
"A is history following upon history. BY tn
way Melba settled an annuity Of $3.50
"a year for life on her son and furnished
"A house in ireland completely for him, hi
N wife's family being OF Irish ancestry.
N Nordlca's visit 10 Paris. while not event
~ full was busy 10 last limit. She sper
"a considerable time at Jean de Reszke
Il, house. with Sara Bernhard. with Maurie
IA G-au with Rejane and at the ambassador
-, he
~ for through the United states ambgs sador
IA Great Britain and the cooperation OF An
no bassador Mccormick here, the person WI
as was supposed TO contemplate the step wa
I" kindly advised that the government wou
not tolerate any nonsense, especially on u
on port Of any one who was not a citize
Cd Hence NoIdica felt az ease and had a GOO
an time in Paris Simmons. the aeeompanis
is who was III here from appendicitis. +