The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-05-07
KOuns Sisters Reach Heart OF
Gotham in Recital.
Critics on All Newspapers Give
All Encouragement.
THEY DREW MONSTER CROWD
Every Available Seat in Town
Hall Was Filled.
Sincerity of Topeka Girls Ap-
pealed to New Workers.

New York, May 1.-THE reaction of
the music loving public in New York
to the first concert appearance here
of Miss Nellie and Miss Sara Kouns,
formerly of Topeka. was distinctly IA
vorable. Thru the long newspaper re-
views of their debut off the vaudeville
stage runs a note of announcements
and good wishes. It is plain that this
pair has gained a good foothold on the
ladder to musical fame here.
The concert, which was given re-
Gently in the Town Hall, a new audi
forum off Times Square, attracted a
crowd that filled every available seat.
Many were there who had seen the
Kouns sisters on the vaudeville stage,
others who heard them in broadway
Breyities" last year and even few
former friends from Kansas.
The Kouns sisters appeared in To-
peka Immediately after their return
from Europe this winter, BENG
brought here as one of the main at
fractions of the Ralph Holland con-
cert series. So hearty was the ap-
prevail of their concert here that they
have been re-engaged for the coming
concert series by Mr.. Holland. with
prospects already that their appear
ance next winter will see the audi
forum packed to greet Topekas own
songbirds.
Press Comments.
The comment of the New York
press critics on the recital is epito-
mixed from the following abstracts
from their reviews:
The Evening Telegram says:
Last night two vaudeville singers, Nellie
and sara Kouns, known as the mirror
voiced Sopranos made their first assault
upon the concert going public at recital
first audience. Their entertainment was
dignified, and serious They both nave
voices. 1t would have been surprising tto
those who deride vaudeville) if one OF them
had talent of course, the real attraction
in their recitas will be their duets, for
they sing like single instrument. So well
do the voices blend and so nearly alike
are they in range in color, that it would
be perpleXing to venture an opinion as 70
which of the sisters is the better singer At
no opera performance in New 1or OF. IN the
last ten years has the Piens Mallika' duet
from Lakme' been presented ted with such
There is artistic style to the sing
ing of these singers. TheyA have no yaude-
vile tricks. They get their audiences
by their sincerity, and 9x the beauty and
the skilIful use of their %zAes. They have
personality (both of them as well as
voices. They should succeed in the sta1d
atmosphere Of the concert hall as easily
as they have done in vaudeville. They have
the gift of being entertaining without ever
losing their posse or their voices Their
entertainment is simple and unassuminG,
but it is/the sort that pleases
The New York Herald says:
Europe where they met with much success.
Their recital attracted large audience.
and they won deseTvedly warm reception.
They specialize in duets and were heard
in such selections Dvoraks The Part
ing and an excerpt from Mozart's lie
Nozzo di Figaro Each sister also gave a
group of solos. Taste and refinement mark
ed their delivery. Their voices, blending
rs one in lyric timbre were easily produced
and is as singers they made no pretnesiOns
TO an elaborate style they expressed feeling
ami sentiments i'll Il manner simple and or
real appeal"
The World says:
THE Misses Nellie and Sara Kouns, so
pranos graduates from the ranks of Vaude-
vile. won a position on the concert stage
by their recital. These accomplished Sis
terS, with exceptional advantages In study
and training. while they devoted their arr
to the vaudeville stage for a number of
seasons, were superior to it. and such an
occasion as last evenings has always been
their goal.
Each is equally at home in French, Ger
man and English songs, and each has Il
highly developed style. polished at times.
when they sing together, almost to the
Joint OF overrefinement. Their singing in
duets is most precise, and difficult pas
Sages and long phrases are done in absolute
unison. In addition, their extreme musical
Intelligence enables them to probe a song
to its core. Such numbers as the difficult
Schiuss duet from Der Rosenkavalier' ana
the 'Lnkme' Viens Mallika duet were given
with fine finish and spirit, and Blangini- $
Per Ealli Per Boschi, which had to be re-
peated, displayed their skill in fighter ven.
has not the range nor firmness of her SIS
ters derives better results by reason OF
her voices greater warmth and body. In
fact, the lack of color is the main defect In
their work, for in extended program
there is deal of sameness to their singing
The large audience was highly delighted
and demanded frequent encores and addf-
tons to the program"
The. Globe says:
The Misses Kouns are making spe-
eialty of duet singing but whether in
duets or solos their efforts pleased a
The Sun says
tion that these two sopranos have lie
veloped in dynamies and color is height
ehed' II possible, by the similarity of their
tone and range.
in solo groups there does. however. an
pear some contrast. Miss Sara sang her
aria from Mozart's Magic Flute with n
style and clarity of diction that her coll
league shares in lesser degree. Miss Nellie
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