Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1919-03-08
NINE. ALDA,OPERA
SINGER, HEARD IN
OMAHA RECITAL
Famous Metropolitan Star
Charms Audience With So
pranO Voice of Beautiful
Quality at Auditorium.
BY HENRIETTA M. REEFS.

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Mrs. A. L. Green presented Nine.
Frances Aida in song recital at the
Municipal Auditorium on Friday
evening. This was the third number
Of the all-star concert course which
is given under the local management
Of Mrs. Green. The Auditorium
was more than gay with its decora-
tions for the Automobile Show, and
the stage was like a large piazza
with its white marble balustrade,
and bright background. The audi
ence was not as large as that which
greeted Mccormack and CALI Cur
ci, but ii made a very creditable
showing at that, and it expressed
great enthusiasm in generous APP
plause.
The management achieved the inn
possible last evening. The recital
was started so promptly that it was
almost before BIS rather than after
when the doors were closed, they
were not reopened until after the
first number nor again until after
the complete group which followed.
ut was not announced that il
would really begin on time aptly
said one listener. 1t usually doesn't
mean anything when it is" said an
other. But now that it has really
happened once, and people have
not been seated disturbingly at odd
moments, it is likely to happen again
and the large majority of concert
goers will either have to mend their
ways or miss part of the music.
Voice of Great Beauty.
Nine. Frances Aida is the posses
sor of brilliant soprano voice. It
has sweetness of power, is clear and
velvety from the highest to the low
est tones, and it has been wonderful
Nv trained to work her will.
She sings without the slightest
trace Of effort, and her bright and
ringing fortissimos were always
used with gratifying effect.
Her voice is especially we'll suit
ed to the rather broad and sustain
ed type of lyric song. Although
she is an exceptionally beautiful wo-
man. she seems to lack bit in per-
sonality, or else she was not warnl-
ed up to the great dramatic mo-
ments of her recital. 1t was cor
rect and convicting, perhaps, but
not intense and thrilling.
Program Held Many Small Songs.
Her program was peculiar. She
started with group of old songs,
one Italian. one French, and two
lovely old English. Well and good.
The second group contained Swed-
ish and a Finnish number. then
Somewhere in France" written for
and dedicated to Mime. Aida by
Hartmann, then back to a "Chanson
Noryegienne," and at the close
"Gavotte" from Manon" by Mas
senet. The combination giving one
a somewhat assorted feeling. Then
came the aria from Madame Butter
fly" and lastly a group Of popular
songs, which proved to be five light
er songs Of the better class. Her
program was refreshing for the
number of novelties and it was con-
stantly interesting under the glow
ing charm of her smooth and lovely |
voice, but it did not seem logically |
constructed. Her Swedish and Fin
nish songs were sparkling and !
characteristic, as was the "Chanson
Noryegienne," a more pretentious
song, containing many similarly |
weird harmonies. "Gavotte" from |
Mignon was cleverly interpreted !
with a very real laugh at the close. |
In the group Of popular songs |
Mime. Aida was at her best. "The |
Singer" by Maxwell. was especial
III effective with its brilliancy and |
with its broad sweeping climax. |
THE Star" by Rogers, and new
and touching war song, A Khaki !
Ind" by Alyward. were two other
noteworthy numbers. Nine. Aida
was generous with encores, giving |
one after each group. t+3.
Pianist Scores.
Miss Ballard, "pianist-accom
PIANIST" was 4 tiny miss, who |
seemed unusually young for her
place, yet she played all of the ac-
compartments without notes, and |
Accomplishments which were vital |
and interesting parts of the songs.
She also chose novelties for her two
piano numbers, "Polonaise," by
Mcdowell, and "Cracovienne Fan
tastique," by Paderewsli She has
a great deal Of Auency. unexpected |
power, and great deal of tenn
permanent.