The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1920-01-24
Lure Of SteppeS In
Deep COntrGLtO Of
Miss Sophie BrGsLdIi

Delectable things in music are still
being offered local lovers Of the art,
and one OF the choicest Of the season s
excellent menus was the recital at the
Lyric theRter Friday evening by Sophie
Braslau. who Is described as one of the
brightest luminaries Of the Metropoll-
tan opera aggregation In New York.
Those who listened to the rich melody
OF her glorious contralto voice and en-
loved the rare artistry Of the concert
would scarcely be disposed TO question
her right to be SO regarded, The Cor
tese brothers. under whose auspices
this wonderful young woman Of Rus
sian parentage and born In New York,
game to this city, have reason to be
kfatlfied at having afforded such
treat to the mnsic-loving public.
sH Miss Braslau Is the possessor OF a
hyoice whose quality IL rare--a pure
Hc0ntralto of velvety smoothness. golden
ktimbre and unusual range, whose beau
ties are varied, In her upper register
zhhe attains results that reflect careful
Ntraining of natures rich endowment,
ffinging with clarity OF tone and flex-
sibllity which well might be envied by
FL mezzo or even a lyric soprano. Her
#aeeper notes are pure. resonant and dis
4tirrt. for she has learned well the
2nalue of intelligent breath control.
Swhile her dictlon is a Joy to hear 1t
lis not saying too much to adjudge her
spne OF the most satisfying and delight
kfu singers who ever appeared here,
and II her reception at her initial re-
8eital Is Indicative she will always he
Hcheerfully heard, for she ranks with
fiemer. Schuman Heink and the other
Hgreat contraltos,
Her program opened with two pleas
Ning operate numbers thus giving her
Ndramatic voice qualities opportunity
KThe first was from Gluck's "Orfeo ct
Nkuridice." which drew immediate en-
arNa taasN 4 =.
4 phngly beautiful drinking song from
fnonizetti's "Lucretia Borgia," Her
scolorful tones and the echo effects
kduickly awakened her audience to a
realization that she was an artist OF
diamond like luster
Opening the second group with
Moussorgsky number, "On the Dynepr,"
with its quaint but appealing music.
she again gave pleasure by the clear
Rness of her dlction. though the lam
Eguage was foreign. But 1t was in the
last number of this group. Silberta's
i'fohrzeit.' sung in Hebrew, that she
made one of the most effective dis
fplays of her wonderful talent of the
&entire program.
In her group Of folk songs she added
fresh delights and won enthusiastic APP
Spreciation., but got closest into the
hearts and affections OF her hearers
when she sang old Folks at Home"
as few can do II. So feelingly did she
sing that one could see tears wiped
4 from the eyes Of many. What greater
L tribute can be paid an artist? The
frollieking gypsy song completed the
tEloup, but an encore Habenera the
popular Carmen selection. with Miss
braslau her owIl accompanies had to
be given to satisfy demands for more
Featuring the Nast group Of the ex-
celient programR was the Robin
Woman's Song. arom Cadman's Amer
lean opera ''ShaHewis" which in its
premier productidp afforded Miss Rras-
lau chance to Display her creative abili
~ In this role ddhcting life among the
indians As II she had not given
enough pleasure 8pr one evening, she
then In responsible clamor for an on
Z core harked backbone years and from
among the sweetsM OF the heart songs
chose TO render sSThe Sweetest story
Ever Told whiqHeent everyday home
In good humor &Eh hoping thai IRIS
charming young N0nan viii come hack
soon. NO
In Miss EleandnSSchelb as accomnap.
iss MISS Braslaua3thad effective and
I keenly sympathetic assistance.
GEO1RAE WILLIAMSON,