South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-05-13
VARIETY FEATURE
OF FIRST CONCERT
Work OF SOlOists I'm May Music Fes-
tivaI Well Received at the
Oliver Theater.

advantage in program dellghful IN
its variety, presented the first concert
of the annual May music festival at
the oliver theater Tuesday evening.
An audience-warm,y enthusiastic If
only fairly large in numbers-greetedl
the musicians The opening augurs
well for the future concerts of the
festival
Mile. Jenny Du Eau. French color
atura soprano, whose singing with the
Chicago Grand Opera company was
one OF the features Of the past sea-
son. was the stellar attraction at the
opening concert. Frank Kendrie,
violinist. late of Boston. but recently
engaged to take the dictatorship Of
the department at the South Bend
conservatory. succeeding Hal Van
Aiken; and Marie, Ludwig, harpist,
proved very able assistants in the pre-
sentatiOn of the program.
When 1t is said that Mile. Du Eau
is French 1t follows without further
comment perhaps. that she is petite
and decidedly brunette. These things
are mentioned because they enter not
q little into the impression received
from her singing. Being an opera
singer, il is perhaps natural that Mile.
Du Eau should appear rather stud
led" in her presence" However, in
the life" which characterizes her
presentations of even the simplest
songs (from a technical standpoint.
lies not little Of the singers charm.
Du Eau has a wonderfully sweet
and surprisingly powerful voice. She
is capable of large satisfying tone,
which bellies her petite stature This
tone, however, was held in reserve and
controlled by a superbly finished
technic. Her opening number an aria
from the Barber of Seville, was
among the most elaborate of her Sc
lections, revealing the extent Of her
technical mastery.
The group of songs which she pre-
sented as her second number was en-
Enthusiastically received, the applause
bringing Mile. Du Eau back for an
encore. The PolOnaise from "MignOn"
was another of the most popular num-
bers she presented, some of the pop
ularity being due, doubtless to the
marked swing of the piece and to
the fact that ii is fairly familiar.
AS one Of her encore numbers the
singer gave that classic. THE Last
Rose of Summer" imparting a new
charm to the familiar melody The
audience indicated its approval by
accompaniment began, the applause
intended unconsciously. perhaps, to
let the singer know that her hearers
were perfectly familiar with what was
coming.
Mr. Kendrie's art showed to good
advantage I'm the first number he pre-
sented, prelude du Deluge," by saint
Saens. The violinist's playing is char
acteriZed by a remarkable smoothness
and sweetness. His tone is pure and
liquid. bringing out all the beauty OF
the majestic, almost solemn, measure
of the prelude. This characteristic
was also evidenced in the Air for G.
String by Bach. The Caprice Yennios
by KriesleT, was as light and delicate
as its name, rendered with a peculiar
~ facile technic. Among Kendrie's
numbers there was none which re-
Quired so-called 'pyrctechnics" His
playing was quietly digrifed. but none
the less artitic for that
Miss Ludwig pleased immensely with
her harp selections. She handled the
instrument with an artistic finish par
ticr rly satisfying and which served
to 1g out in great measure the
bea,- lies which lie in the harp. The
rarity of the instrument added no
dCubC, to the appreciation, generous
~ indicated by applause which
brought the player back for repeated
encores.
Two of the most pretentious num-
bers were Am Springbrunner by Ia
bel and the Cheshire Valse Caprice I
In the Harpe EOlienne by Godefroid, |
the peculiar sweetness of the instru- |
ment was dominant. Miss Ludwig's |
playing gave evidence of her training |
under Enrico Tramonti. solo harpist |
of the Chicago Symphony orchestra. |
acknowledged one of the foremost
harpists of the world. She presented |
a number composed by herself Which |
drew generous response.
Miss Valera Bon Durant, the young
South Bend pianist. played accOmpan-
imentS for Mile. Du Eau and Mr. |
Kendrie with rare sympathy. subduing
and fusing the background" with the |
solo in artistic manner.
The second program of the festival
viii be given this evening at the Oliver
when the festival choir of 100 voices
directed by Milton b. Griffith will be
a feature. The following soloists will
appear: Frances Ingram, contralto:
Helen Axe Brown, soprano; Theodore
Harrison, baritone. Max Mirandi will
accompany.