Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-02-16
Miss OKELL
NTERPnETS
TAl|NIlAUSER
Delightful Wagner Lecture
Recital Given. Last Night
At CorWin Hall
(By George A. Bcnson.)

Miss Adelaide Okell, of the faculty
OF Wesley College Conservatory Of
Music. was presented last night by
MI chapter Of Alpha Sigma Iota in a
Tannhauser. Miss Okell was assiste l
bv- Mrs. H. Alden Enyeart. who sang
two numbers from the opera. The
recital was given in Corwin hall and
the artists were greeted by a dis
terminating and appreciative audi
ence.
This is the second time Miss Okell
has given q Wagner lecture recital.
Upon her first appearance, shortly
after her arrival in the city. she gave
Lohengrin, and that recital still is re-
membered as one of the outstanding
music events of the season. Those
who heard her in Lohengrin thought
they had heard her at her best, but
not so. as her recital of Tannhauser
last night revealed. In Tannhauser,
she had greater opportunities for in
depreciation and every opportunity
was me- with a performance that
Tas complete. convincing and stir
ring. 1t was Wagner interpreted as
only a complete Wagnerite" can in
terprct him.
When Miss Okell gave her recital
of Lohengrin. the writer, in COM
menting upon her work, remarked
that II knew her Wagner and loved
him. And knowing him as only the
true musician can know him, she is
able to interpret him to~the satisfac.
ton of the most exacting music critic
After hearing T~annhauscr, I am NOR
convinced that Miss Okell knows Wag
ner. That is more than one can say
of many, nan musicians. Wagner
needs Interpretation in this country
Somehow or other, his work is not
known as it should be.
Miss Okell is doing a remarkable
work in pres nting him to the music
lovers of this ely. 1t is mighty fine
experience for those many young
pcoDle who come to Grand Forks t.
study music. Those who heard hel
last night have a much better idos
of the opera thar they ever had be.
fore. May the good work go on anj
may Miss Okel! invade the field of 9th
cr great opera composers.
Wagner is pretty much of an eng
ma to many opera lovers.\ There arr
those who do not like most of hi
work. because, no doubt, of the pc
culiar myths n legends and some
what firing themes which ru,
through many Of his operas, bu
bines romance and poetry with tn
moving passions Of real people-tn'
forces which lend themselves so,rea1
lily to musical interpretation. TIL,
opera relates. briefly. the conflict il
the breast of Tannhauser-the con
fict really, Of true love aga INST mer,
human passion, with the real! low
triunlphing, of course
In her %recitative. Miss Oxen Sc
the Stage. so, to speak, for her per
Torrance upon the piano of the chic
numbers Of the opera. Her remark
about the opera. given in a happy
Informal way, were unusually good.
Her work at the pi no was dis
|tinguished by a delightfully."- war;
tone and by interprciative qualitie
that rang true. She has technique
of course. but it is a technique thu
never obtrudes itself. I'h.re is n
playing for mere effect or mere show
In short. there are non Of the gym
uastics of piano playing. but rathe
a warm. inspiring Interpretation o
all that she undertakes. ~
The overture. somber. weird an
stirring, was given a virile perform
ance, while those other great nun
fbers-Fest march and Pilgrims Choir
us-Were played with re1narkaDl
skill and inspiration.
Two of E%lizabeth's solos-her grea
number in the second act and. then
'HS ttdyEt III IHc last 1cI--NCIe SUM
by Mrs. EDEeart. Ellzabeth's >praye
is n of the most beautiful numbers il
all Wagner literature, and. as sung b.
Mrs. Enyeart. 1t was at once %toucllin!
and inspiring. To me Mrs. Enycar
IS the most satisfying singer in Gran,
Forks. In fact, there is no singer il
the state / would rather hear. Their,
is a richness and a clarity in ton,
that distinguish her voice. and Their,
80 M - ~, S~~ ~-l =. -
interpretations that always leave on
with the knowledge OF having hear
something worth While ung uncom
mOnlv well.