The Wenatchee daily world. [volume] (Wenatchee, Wash.) 1905-1971, 1908-12-16
ARTISTS PLEASE
THOUGH HAMPERED
PRIMA DONNA'S TRUNK, CON-
TANNING GOWNS AND MUSIC
CARRIED THROUGH TO SPO-
:. KANE BY MISTAKE.

When is prima donna not a pri-
ma donna? Answer: When she hath
not her Paris made gown. Mile.
Westerlind appeared at the Wenat-
chez theatre last evening under most
trying circumstances. Her voice was
in excellent condition, and the audi!
enec showed it's appreciation of her
superb vocal art. But by an unfor-
tunate oversight the mademoiselle's
trunk went on to Spokane
Arriving here yesterday afternoon
at AIS, the singer Immediately be-
gan frantic search for a passable
gown, but learned to her sorrow that
although Wenatchee stores carry
some mighty big stocks, they are low
at this season on concert gowns suit
able for prima donnas. The best
was made of a bad situation, and the
artist appeared in her travelling. ap-
parel Miss Bachelor, the pianiste,
was more fortunate, having brought
her effects in a big suit case. She
made most attractive and dainty
appearance in her blue messaline
gown, trimmed with white chiffon
and narrow bands of blue velvet.
Across the front of the waist was a
bouquet of pink roses.
The most agravating phase of the
trouble was that the singers accom-
paniment scores were also in the
missing trunk. A makeshift pro-
gram was improvised, several oblig-
ing, local musicians contributing
from their musical libraries. Miss
Bachelor was able to give her num-
bers without change
The aria from Mignon arranged by
Thomas and sung in English was
Miss Westerlind's substitution for the
aria from Tannhauser. 1t became
apparent at once that the singers
voice was too full and resonant for
it's effect to be fully realized in our
theatre. 1t is a big voice-the kind
that is perfectly adapted to an au
jitorium filled with 1000 or 5000
people. Perfect tone placement and
breathing, sympathetic and digni-
fed interpretations, masterful
phrasing, and withal, powerfully
dramatic and magnetic personality
were evident. But atmosphere was
lacking. We can understand now
why great musicians are proverbial
''cranks" about stage settings.
In place of the second group,
three German songs were given-one
from Schuman and two of Schubert's.
The last group of vocal selections
consisted of two double numbers.
First, were given Absent, by Met
calf, and Nevins Rosary" Here
the audience was given full oppor-
tunity to realize they were in the
presence of a genuine artist, for the
selections were familiar and the in
depreciation fully showed the differ
ence between artistic singing and
mediocre warnings. To close, Kjer-
ulf's Last Night" and the aria from
Carmen were satisfying.
Miss Frances Bachelor, the plan
list, is a marvel. 1t is not often that
piano solos are genuinely enjoyed by
the laity of a mixed audience. But
the young Portland pianiste, is the
exception who proves the rule. The
auditors last evening seemed unani-
nous in their enthusiastic approval.
The youth of the artist was evidently
only in countenance and general
sprightliness. In no respect was her
stage presence married by the affec-
tations so often inflicted upon a long
suffering public. Miss Bachelor is
evidently dominated by the love of
her art. No room is left in her con-
seriousness for egotism. She is sin
cere, direct, modest, convincing. Her
playing is authoritative. She knows
the effects she would produce and
she knows how to accomplish them
in her execution-no Sinking at her
audience She assumes that she has
something worth while to give and
that you will crafty her earnest am
bition by honest appreciation. What
wonder that her performance met
with an outburst of spontaneous and
hearty applause.
In her first group. Miss Batchelar
gave three selections by Chopin:
Prelude op. As etude, "Wintry
Winds and ballade, G minor. The
second comprised serenade by
Campbell Upton, Caprice Burlesque