The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-04-01
DELIGHTED HER AUDIENCE
Nordica Again Captivates Topeka
Music Lovers.

The Lily of the North" alias Mad
anne Lillian Nordica, sang in concert
last night in Topeka for the fourth
time. 1t was one of the notable rnu-
slcal events of the year, and was by
Lar the best attended. Her welcome
was cordial and sincere; for without
doubt Nordica is the favorite of all the
great operate stars that periodically
nash before our vision. Nordica is
reputed to be the most versatile singer
on the stage today, for she goes from
mat sublime height of a superb rem
oerlng OF the cry of Brunhilde to the
mlrth provoking ditty when Love is
Kind" and in both. she is eouallv
pleaslng. The first notes the audience
neard from her voice came through
the closed door of the dressing room.
Where she was doing a little prepare
tory Vocalizing during the song of Mr..
whitney, who began the groeram. So
long as Mr. Whitney sang her voice
was not audible, but much to the
amusement Of the audience, when his
song ceased, her notes trailed after it
like the tail of a kite.
her first number was an aria from
Madame Butterfly. The opening notes
showed that her powers have ripened
and developed rather than diminished
she sang three songs from Wakefield
Cadman, an American composer, thus
honoring a fellow countryman on her
program. Itch GrolIe Nicht," was in
terpreted with a full sense of the
depth of woe that the text implies. In
Strange's Damon, the singer gave an
example of her splendid triIIs. Her
triIIS always call for an encore. and
they are truly perfect. They pour
from her throat with no sign of effort
on her part She closes her Iips on
Ih6m VIII Oh
mouth again they come bubbIing and
sparkling out, rising from the velvet
softness of the lower register to the
vibrating sweetness of the higher
tones. After her second group of songs,
flowers were presented. whereupon she
sang as an encore Mighty Like a
Rose" and then she and Mr. Whitney
sang The Marriage of Figaro" and
this was an encore that was encored.
1t allowed of a good deal of charming
action even on the concert stage, and
both singers took advantage of the
situation.
Nordica unites, in peculiar degree.
a deal of pretty acting with her recital
singing, and seems almost impatient of
the limitations of the concert platform.
entering thoroughly into the spirit and
piquancy of the piece she is rendering.
In response to the encore to her third
group, Nordica sang her famous role,
The Cry of the Walkurics,'' for which
the audience knew it would not need
to wait in vain. Only artists attempt
that music, and none of them approach
Nordica in its accomplishment She
gets the last high note sure and true
and fills the hall with its splendid tone |
The last number was the Erl King,
given with dramatic power.
1t Is no exaggeration to say that
Nordica possesses the most appealing |
personality and ingratiating presence
Of any singer on the stage Her man
ners are simple, but graciously win |
ming. She fulfilled her promise in |
wearing her diadem and other dia-
monds. Her gown was a shell pink
satin, embroidered on the bodice and |
sleeves with jewels. Her long train |
was gracefully managed, and in face
and figure, the prima donna is lovely, |
in spite of her fifty odd years |
Mr.. Myron Whitney made his first |
appearance in Topeka last night and |
llar mum Der was revival of Mallory's |
Did song, 1.-THE Kerry Dance" rarely |
heard and almost forgotten in these |
lays. His part in the duet from FL |
CARO- was particularly pleasing. and
his dramatic ability showed to adj |
vantage in selection from Faust His
voice is not big and powerful, but his |
tones are perfectly placed, decidedly |
pleasing and his technique faultless.
A special word of praise is due the |
pianist, E. Romayne Simmons, who
played Chopin's Polonaise tC open the
program in. highly creditabIe way.
The piano was too small for the hall |
In solo work. but right for accom-
panying, and handled last night to the
perfect adjustment of accompaniment
and voice.
Three more finished artists than
hose who gave the concert last night /
nave probably never entertained a To-
peka audience. In the closing years
Of Nordfca'S long career, through |
which her magnetic personality and I
he fine tinbre of her voice have stead
ly increased her popularity, those
who hear her now, perhaps for thei
asst time, are asking one another,
VIII there ever be another to take
ler placer"