Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1919-11-18
M u S | G

! ously than last evening, in point of
| numbers D. enthusiasm. The Bran
deiS theater wasvompletely sold out,
and many extra seats were placed
on the stage to accommodate the
listeners, Sophie Braslau; of the
metropolitan Opera company, and
Albert Spaulding renowned Amer
lean violmist, were the artists who
attracted the audience and furnished
| the great treat.
Neither Miss Braslau nor Mr.
Spaulding had been heard in Omaha
before, but they have long been
| known by their records, and by
the great reputation they have built
up elsewhere.
| Miss Braslau has voice. which in
quality alone would make one run
into superlatives. But it is not quail
ity which has made Miss Braslau's
fame, for she supplements it with
both technic and temperament, and
! is wise enough to choose those
songs which are best suited to her.
| Her voice is wonderful in its variety
and power. 1t is one of those great
vocal organs which fills the entire
| theater, and comes to the listener,
full resonant, and sweet, something
like the tone of a splendid cello.
| She has wide range, and her voice
is evenly trained throughout it.
She sings the big dramatic num-
bers with great warmth of tempera-
ment. Her sustained singing was
| beautiful, and the climaxes which
she attained were thrilling because
of the poise and restraint with
which they were interpreted.
She contributed three groups to
the program. The first contained
two old operate arias in which
| great contrast of temperament, style
and singing were evident. The Sec
ond opened with two striking Russ
ian numbers. On the Dynepr" by
Moussorgsky is an imposing piece,
full of color and the tragedy which
| one has learned to expect from
fmuch of the great music of this
country. The second was a charm-.
ing love song, by Rimsky Korsa-
koff. La Girometta," dainty
French song by Sibella, and Car
naval" by Foudrain gave Miss Bras
lau other opportunities to delight
her listeners.
Eli, Eili," by Shallitt, sung in
| the Hebrew was one of the dramatic
events of the evening. The intense
feeling of this fervid prayer was
presented by Miss Braslau, with a
sincerity, poise and a deep sus-
| tanned tone, which made an impress
sion.- She was recalled importun1te-
! ly and for an encore presented
"Habanera" from Carmen" to her
own accompaniment.
Her third group made of English
songs was also charming. "Conse-
Grafton" by Nancy was another
number in which Miss Braslau was
at her best. Greatest Miracle of
Alp by Guion was a charming bit,
and Crest" by Forsyth was interp-
reted exquisite1y. The robin Wo-
mans Song" from the opera SHAN
evils" by Cadman, brought a re-
markable operate number as fine
closing, 1.-THE Sweetest Story Ever
| Told" was a final encore. Miss
Bras1au's enunciation must not be
overlooked, it is one Of her many
excellencies.
Miss Eleanor Schieb, who &C
companied the singer, IS remen-
bered in Omaha for her fine accom-
panimments with Mr.. Casals some
| years ago., will also be remembered
for her artistic work of last evening.
Mr.. Albert Spalding is violinist
of more than ordinary attainments.
| He is finished artist upon his in
strument, and his interpretations
were marked by musicianship, au-
thority and musical style. The vel
vety quality of his tone, the rides
cent trills, and the clarity and polish
Of his playing were a constant de-
light. His harmonics were unusu-
ally and remarkably pure, and his
bowling of surety and skill. He
opened the program with a Handel
Sonata" in which the various move
ments were well contrasted and the
"Larghetto' especially played ex-
qulsitely. "Valse Caprice by Cha
brler-Loef1er in the second group
was novelty to Omaha programs,
and was played with spirit and free
dom. and brought merited encore.
Two of his Numbers were of great
interest. Alabama" was a plantation
melody and dance in syncopated
style and well arranged for the vio-
lin. The second, "Lettre de Chopin
was unusually beautiful and was
played with great charm. Mr.. Spald-
ing kept getting better and better
as he played, aud after brilliant
performance of la CampaneIla" by
Campanini, the audience would not
be content with one. but insisted
upon two ensores. winning Kreis-
Ter arrangement of a Chaminade num-
Der and the brilliant "Scherzo Taran-
telle" by Wieniawski, taken at
tremendous tempo, and making one
OF the hits of the evening.
Mr.. Benoist played a musician1y
accompaniment.
1t is not often a joint recital will
present two artists of such decidedly
different personalities, and each sue
ceeds in wiHning such whole-hearted
favor from the audience. The OPEN
ing recital was a decided success
both in number of listeners and from
an artistic standpoint. and the forth
comina concerts will be awaited
with the greatest interest.