Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1918-11-20
| Nj y S | G

he uCSudy Muslldl Cluu PIC
scented Nine. Julia Claussen,
mezzo soprano, and Mr..
Arthur Hackett, tenor, in joint re-
cital at the Brandeis theater last
evening, before a brilliant gather
ing of Omaha music lovers who
seemed quite eager for musical en-
joyment after the long fast from the
last of last season. The music they
, heard seemed to greatly satisfy
them. The enthusiasm evidenced
for the work of both singers, which
frequently eliminated in encores,
demonstrated the favor accorded
them.
Nine. Claussen has frequently
been heard in Omaha in the past,
and has built up for herself strong
circle of admirers for both her
voice and the artistic work which
she has done. 1t is but justice to
Nine. Claussen, however, to say hat
although she sang many numbers
beautifully, she was not up to her
best in all of her songs last even
ing. Many will never forget the
beautiful work she did several years
ago in the Auditorium, and it is
hard to be satisfied with anything
less at any time from the same per-
son. Nine. Claussen is an artist in
the selection OF her songs, and her
groups were we'll contrasted and
suitable. She is dramatic, and is
especially at home in the brilliant
numbers. We could not ask,
though, for nothing more charming
and artistic than the graceful
lullaby which she sang as an en-
core following the aria from Saint
Saens, and when | Bring You
Colored Toys" by Carpenter, in the
last group was most POLITICALLY in
terpreted. Among the novelties she
presented were several Norwegian
and Swedish songs, delightful in
type and with Nine. Claussen's
voice and skill. 20 Jenta 0 Ja,"
merry Swedish folk song, was re-
peated Perhaps the most dramatic
and brilliant number she presented
was "Inter Nos" by MacFayden,
which is soul stir ing with the tre-
mendous climax at the close.
Arthur Hackett was most agree
able surprise to the majority of the
listeners, although he sang in Oma-
ha few years ago, with the ST.
Louis orchestra. | believe. His
voice is a tenor of rich and beautiful
quality, and he uses it with finish
and skill which is a CONSTANT de-
light. His enunciation, too, is per-
haps as satisfying as that of any
artist it has been our good fortune
to hear. Ease and remarkable
breath control go together, and he
is as comfortable in the wide ranges
OF his evenly developed voice as he
is in the center. His interpretations
are at all times guided by careful
artistic Judgment. Only one thing
marred our pleasure in him and that
was certain encore which did not
|. belong in that kind OF a program
and could easily have been dispensed
with, in spite of its closing high
note.
He opened the program with an
aria, "Pephtha." by Handel, and i'm
mediately proved what he could do
with his breath, his voice and the
English language, His legato in
certain passages of this number was
remarkable. and the many climaxes
were well built. "Phidyle," by Du-
pare. and "D'Une Prison" by Hahn,
in the second group were artistic
gems, the latter with its compelling
emotional appeal, deeply impressive.
1t was repeated. His closing group
was made up of four novelties, each
of which delighted in a different
way. An interesting number by Le-
mare, "The Bells of Rheims" proved
an elaborate composition of the bal
lad type, with several distinct
changes of thought in both words
and music, and a vivid climax to the
close.
Mr.. Carl Lamson, the accompan-
list, is an artist par excellence. To
have heard him once is to remember
him. and his former APPEARANCE with
Kreisler and his present appearance
rave furnished US some of our most
unalloyed pleasure-H. NJ. R.