The forum. [volume] (Springfield, Ill.) 1904-192?, 1916-11-25

Steinway hall last Friday night at
tracted very large audience. Her
finished and artistic singing was ex-
hiblted in songs in various languages,
among which must be mentioned
Scarlatti's 'Gia II Sole, the charming
old German Ave Maria Fart the
French 'Menuet d'Exaudet, Schu-
mann's fine 'Schatzgruber, Coleridge-
Taylor's expressive African Love
Song and Goring Thomas Hearts
Fancies.' The style OF these different
lyrics was fully grasped, and In all
success won"
The London Musical Courier In its
critique of the same recital said: Miss
Ira Aldridge, who gave a vocal recital
In Steinway hall on the 9th inst, is a
finished artist, who produces her voice
with varied effect and according to
the best methods. Her Interpretation
Is thoroughly artistic and true to the
intention OF the composer In favor of
her beautiful voice and through being
presented by Nine. Jenny Lind Gold
schmidt she WAS in girlhood selected
scholar Of the Royal College of Music.
Later she studied under Mr.. Henschel.
two OF whose songs, Morning and
oh, Hush Thee, My Baby, she sang
on the present occasion"
One of her best efforts was group
of three songs representing severally
the early Italian school In an aria by
rla In 4 va
Maria Fart" dated 1875, and In the
French style of the eighteenth cen
fury In the charming "Menuet DIX
audet," doing full Justice to modern
composers in songs by Villiers Stan
ford, 8. Colerldge-Taylor, S Iiddle
and Goring Thomas.
Miss Luranah Aldrldge has for'
midable list of vocal and instrument
tai compositions to her credit, which
are being sung and played by musical
artists all over England aud the con-
tinent. In the New Alhambra theater,
ian ballet presented by Theodor Kos
lotf in November, 1913, opened with
the first of her African dances. In It
letter to me, speaking of the effect
which this weird music seemed TO have
produced on the critics, who spoke OF
her as Russian composer, she wrote:
1.-THE ballet opens with the first of
my African dances. The papers evil
IDENTIFY think that Montagu Ring is IL
Russian. I have not troubled as yet to
contradict"
Miss Luranah Aldridges musical
compositions are published by thirteen
or fourteen music publishing houses il
London. Her vocal and instrumental
productions seem to have struck Il
popular chord, and the output of her
facile pen finds a ready sale and pop
ular reception among the higher class
OF artists and music lovers in England
If the war is soon brought to an end
these two talented women. who have
done so much with voice and pen in
foreign lands to lift up the race of
which their father was a notable and
worthy example, may, If sufficient in
ducement is offered, visit the United
States ON tour and charm the music
loving public with exhibitions of their
wonderful art.
In another private letter from Miss
Luranah she speaks of her sister. Ira
who was visiting friends at Bath. Eng
land, and while there was urged and
consented to sing at the celebrated
Pump Room concert In 1908. One Of
her. pupils, writing to her sister. I.u
ranah, about the concert said: My
dear Miss Aldridge, am sure you and
your mother would like to know that
have heard from several sources how
beautifully your sister sang at the
Pump Room. My aunt writes to me
that all agree she has glorious voice
l don't fancy they often hear such
singing in Bath, and can quite un-
derstand how much 1t was appreei-
ated."
The achievements of these brilliant
and talented women ought to be an in
spiration TO every colored girl and wo
man In America who is musically in
clined. What the Aldridge sisters have
done and are doing they can do. Go tc
it, young women. The world is yours
Take 1t.