The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-03-21
MATzENAUER IS
WELL RECEIVED;
VOICE PLEASES
Many Encores Demanded and Con.
tralto Kindly Accedes; Sea.
sons Finale.


The audience which heard Nine.
Margaret Matzenauer last evening
in Augustana gymnasium was
keerIy aware OF the fact it was
being offered a splendid concert
and expressed its appreciation so
warmly that the artist herself felt
the cooperation and sang as to
group of friends A complete lack
of any artiflciaIness was probably
the most impressive part of the
contralto's interpretive work, the
beautiful quality OF her full, round
ed tones being clearly resonant,
unhampered by any evident effort
of tone control. Lovely singing
tones came from the singer as cas-
lily as speaking does from the Or
binary individual.
Each and every number was a
gem of beautiful music Fresh,
smooth and clear tonal qualities,
combined with a remarkable hexl-
biiity, strength. color and vibrant
dramatic intensity, were notaole
qualities. The mellowness OF the
contralto's voice was evident, with
out any of the harsher touches so
often showing in the low register.
Operate training has made the
singer best in numbers which re-
quire a more defined nicely of in
terpretation and feeling Although
the simple ballads and songs were
splendid, the audience liked her
best as it could imagine her
against the background of operate
setting.
In the first group Nine. Matzen-
auer sang the aria, "Lieti Signor
from Les Huguenots" meyer
beer) as a final number. and in
contrast gave as an encore Lieu
rance's by the Waters of Mime
tonka"
In other groups the best liked
numbers were Brahms "Sappho
Ode" "Mandolines" tDebussy),
which was repeated after the au-
dience demanded more in the mid
die of a group and the following
number. Thomas Gavotte from
"Mignon." more familiar as string
symphony number: and an ar
rangement called a Mexican Folk
Song" by Frank LaForge. sung
easily and Understandings. The
audience was insistent that it hear
again this new different LaForge
number, in which the Spanish
rhythm was suggested. and it was
repeated. receiving the second
hearty applause.
First Group Enthralls.
Handels ''Sars Selve," with
which the concert opened. was a
lovely thing as sung by the con-
tralto. Other numbers in the first
group were Verachini's Pastoral
and Mozart's Cradle Song" Full
tone richness was displayed in
''Weyla's Song" CWolfl in a second
group. lighter work in Sandman"
CSchumannl and the higher regis
ter perfection in his Spring Night
The singer came back and sang
When the Roses Bloom Again" an
old-fashioned melody which never
fails to please A slow. rhythmic
number in French, Les Cloches'
(Debussyl. came next on the pro-
gram. and this group ended with
another number sung in French.
"IHeure Delicieuse" (Staub}.
Nine. Matzenauer was most gra-
tlOuS dIIeF THIS group, SlHSlHS b"p
encore numbers, Nevin's 20 That
We Two Were Maying" and To-
FORCES ITO a Messenger" The
concert closed with Carmen num-
Der and the most enjoyed encore
OF the entire selection, Annie Lau-
RE"
Frank LaForge. who appeared
here with Schumann-Heinck and
again in 1920 as pianist with the
Opera Trio, was well represented
on the program. Pianist-compos-
ers' numbers were sung by the con-
tralto. and George Vause. the ac-
companist last night, played his
Romance" which he himself in
troduced The second piano num-
Der and Godard's En- Route" and
the encore. "Lento" cyril ScotD.
Besides being an accompanies who
keeps his playing entirely back
ground for the voice. his solo work
was OF the first magnitude. The
piano numbers were a pleasing part
of the program.
Last nights concert completed
the eason's efforts by the Tri-City
Musical assoc iation. Many attrac-
lions have been presented 10 tri-
citv people by the organization.
which is to he congratulated or its
efforts in promoting music apprc-
citation and bringing best talent to
-