Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-12-10
MELBA HOLDS HER
PLACE WITH OMAHA
Wonderful Australian Diva Again
Charms a Multitude Of De-
voted Local Admirers.
THIRD CHARITY CONCERT A HIT
ny mENRIETTA VI. RNns.

One OF the greatest favorites OF
all the opera stars is Madame Melba,
and Wednesday she appeared at
the Auditorium under the auspices of
the Associated Retailers of Omaha,
upon what is known as the Charity
Concert course, Omaha again paid
its enthusiastic tribute to her won
derful singing.
As at the other concerts given in
this course. the vast auditorium was
we'll filled, with hardly a vacant
seat on the lower floor and only
few back rows empty in the gallery.
To judge from the general and spon-
taneous applause which was given to
each artist on the program, every
one OF the large crowd thoroughly
enjoyed the music. Double encores
were demanded after several num-
bers, and the prolonged applause
brought at least one encore and
many bows of Acknowledgement for
each number, but the first two.
MclbR'S Voice Marvel.
Madame Melba's voice il in its prime
Clear as crystal, brilliant, and full Of
| that same purity of tonal beauty which
] has made Il one of the worlds greatest.
One is impressed at each returning visit
with its wealth of tone. its power, and
the flexibilty OF its great range. Madame
Melba contributed three numbers {, the
| program, THE Mad Scene from Ham.
| let" by Ambrose Thomas, and a num-
| Der. "Addio," from La Boheme," and
| Chant Venetian" by Bemburg, and I c
| waltz song, "Se Saran Rose" by Arditi.
which Media has made her own and
without which no Melba concert woI
be complete. Madame Melba no e T.
dramatic heights in the first number,
which is a tremendous composition. max
ing taxing demands upon the singer
'Addio" Melba sang in Omaha at h r
last visit and her Interpretation of Il 3
and the Venetian song were satisfy ng
to the utmost The brilliant waltz song
was sung with all the ease noticeable
throughout the entire program and It de-
lighted. as always. with its scintillat ng
joyousness.
Madame Melba was most gracious with
tUSOiNHt anu AT when lne Auul-
ence would not be content without an
other. she sang Tostrs "Mattinate," TO
her own accompaniment.
Her Assistants Capable.
Madame Melba was as fortunate in her
assistants as was Miss Farrar. for both
Miss Harrison and Mr.. Parker were
worthy to be upon the program. and Mr..
st. Leger was an excellent accompanist.
Miss Harrison is a thorough mistress
of her instrument, playing with a mu-
steamship and flueney of technique that
instantly won her a sure place in the
| favor of the audience. Her contributions
TO the program were Sonata in A Ma.
jor," by Bocherini-played with grea'
beauty OF tone and care of phrasing-
novel and unique "Orientale." by
Caesar Cui-remarkable for its effect oil
oriental instruments and melody-the
Prize Song" from the Master Singer,
a lovely adagio by Schumann and the
Kreisler 'Leibesleid." Miss Harrison re-
sponded to many encores.
BaratOne IA HIT.
MIR. Parker endcared himself to the
audience at the start by singing the
Prologue" to "Paggliacci" in English
lie is the possessor of a magnificent bari
tone voice. rich. powerful and OF great
range. His enunciation is remarkably
distinct. He sings with taste and dra-
matte force. His numbers were well
chosen and contained. beside the Pro
logue, two Strauss songs which were ex'
ceIlently interpreted, the Don Juan
SerCu made by Tschaikowski, a number full
of dazzling brilliancy. Mr.. Parker is ono
Of the finest baritones who has been
heard for some time. and hls many en-
cores and hearty applause were well Ge'
served.
The third concert of the series has up
held the high standard set by the first
| two and there is cause for much re-
| joicing in musical Omaha.