Indiana daily times., 1921-11-01
Indianapolis Girl Makes
Musical Debut in II. Y

Among the New 4OfK musical events OIL
interest to local folk is the debut of Miss
BIeIba McCreery, soprano, daughter or
Mr.. and Mrs. J. W. McCreery of Irving
ton. who will be soloist with the band
concert of Edwin Franko Goldman Con
cert Band, Sunday night. Miss McCresry
studied voice in indianapolis and sang
at the Hotel Lincoln, with the instru-
mental trio for two years. She then went
10 Cincinnati where she studied for three
years until she was ready for concert
work.
4-e young singer won signal honors
in the leading cities in the East In
concert but it was not until the late
EnricO Caruso encouraged her that she
-termined to make her debut in the
musical center OF the country. Mr..
Caruso with 4 group OF his close as
scciates Of the Metropolitan Opera Com
any gave her an audience which was
highly flatterlng to her. The Goldman
band with which she is to sing at the
Hippodrome is one of the leading
r-usical organizations in the country.
The concert itself viii be an event Of
more than usual interest Miss Nc
Creery is an artist who, 1t is believed,
viii give a scientific proof of pre- natal
influence.
As the story goes-and il seems tc
have been well substantiated-Aiss Nc
Creery is the only artistic representa-
tive in this family. Neither her mother
nor father, nor any Of her grandparents,
nor other members OF her immediate
family have displayed the slightest mHst-
cal talent But Melba, named by her
mother after the great Australian diva,
WIS named before birth and the musical
talent which was so soon to display IT.
self was the contamination wished by
her mother. These plans occupied much
Of the mothers thoughts, and the hope
for the advent of a girl, and that this
girl should become a popular singer,
was so strong that our learned commen-
tstors ascrIbe the rapid advance Of the
Young singer to this influence. However,
fl is known that she met the usual OBJ
stacles In seeking additions N New
York By chance a great conductor heard
her and through his influence, great sing
srs from the Metropolitan and elsewhere
heard also and approved her voice Even
her namesake, Dame Melba, heard 0f her
and wrote encoursgingly. Then Roger
d. Bruyr, a New York impresario and
the manaSer for Edwin Franko Gold
msn ana his band, heard her and now
Broadway. Fifth avenue and Music Row
generally herald her comely figure In
window cards and placards announcing
her debut And there IS much interest,
not alone among the musicians, but Dy
eminent scientists and leaders OF the
medical fraternity as we'll They all
seek to prove their theory.
The San Carlo Opera Company. di-
rscted by Fortune Gallo, has closed Its
season at the NIahattan Opera House, snd
the nrst season Of German opera since
before tho wsr shortly will be given at
this opera hail. 1t may be recalled that
a couple Of years ago two or more Ger
man singers endeavored TO establish
German season at the Lexington Theater
which so Nrousad the ire Of the American
Legion and other patriotic organizations
that It was necessary to call upon tho
police to dispel tho rioters. The present
season, however, Is receiving support
from most OF the music lovers of the city,
and Il they are successful in securing
singers Of intelligence and conductors OF
authority. German opera may once more
be heard In New York By those who wish
te hear ut. IL may be recalled that
TheodOrs Spiering, an American citizen
by birth and ono OF the foremost CON
ductors, was identified with the futile
season OF a couple OF years ago Only
his presence saved the enterprise from
disruption. Mr. Spisring has
taken a sensible attitude In the matter Of
German opera, and shortly after the war
went to that country as the representa-
I've Of American musicianS to cid the dis
tressed musicians Of Germany and Aus
tria- Hungary. The United States is too
big a Nation" he declares, "to be led by
the smaller nations IN restoring German
opera The Wagnerian operas have
played too important a part in our mus
icsl growth TO be disbarred, and the
lovers Of dramatic and lyrical art, re-
sardless OF rs nationality, viii welcome
1t back. Once a great work is composed
It becomes the property Of the world. Il
can no longer be classed as Of 4 distinct
nationality, and II there be any Objection
to Its presentation. il must be because Of
the interpreters and not the work"
The conduGtor-composer. Richard
Strauss, arrived last week for his con
cert tour Of the United States This IL
the second Of the conductors of Europe
to arrive, the forerunner having been
Selim Palmgren. the foremost conductor
and composer Of Finland, who was heard
fortnight since In his first New Yo1k
recital, and who created a most favorable
and lasting impression, as did his wife
Nine. Maikh Jaernefelt, who also aD-
peared in debut recital a few evenings
later. OF Mr.. Pslmgren it can be said
that be is a musician Of great virtuosity
and a figure at once commanding and
appealing. OF the German. there is much
TO be said for and against him 1t Is not
forgotten that when he was here some
years ago he created a mild shock to the
sensibilitles Of the artistic world by hir-
Ing himself to play for a department
store. he is said to have offered the ex-
cuse at the time that he needed the
money" and something like this confes-
sion follows him now. An interview was
cabled to "rhe Nation" scme time since
crediting Herr Strauss with sverring that
the UDited States was totally lacking In
musical intelligence, but envied US our
financial prosperity. Later this interview
was denied by the doctor, but as It was
signed by thoroughly responsible writer
his denial has always been accepted with
some reservations. The prediction is
freely made that he will miss the hearty
reception accorded him on his previous
visit, but perhaps il his tour Is financially
successful this will be less a calamity
than might be surmised
1t was reported last week that the his
tortcal series Of song recitals for which