17
MUSICAL COURIER
January 2 5, 1923
GANNA WALSKA
(LYRIC SOPRANO)
Concert Tour Begins February 9th, 1923
NOTES OF THE MUSIC WORLD
Irving Schwerice in Paris Edition Chicago Tribune.
The interest in Saturday’s and Sunday’s musical activities seemed to center on the appearance of Mme. Ganna Walska (Mrs. Harold McCormick) with the Pasdeloup Orchestra. She was, along with Mme. Madeleine Caron (of the Opera-Comique) and MM. Sabatier and Gilles, soloist in Beethoven s "Ninth Symphony.”
Andre Caplet conducted. He made the work sound better than I have ever heard it sdund in this town. His soloists were top-notch quality.
The blending of the voices of these latter was especially good. They made a well-rounded ensemble, and of course contributed much towards the success of the performance.
* * *
This was Madame Walska’s first public appearance in Paris, an event her many admirers have long been waiting for. I saw in the audience many Americans. If any came out of curiosity (even Americans have been known to do that when a beautiful, much-heralded woman was to step onto the platform!) their curiosity was more than amply satisfied and repaid, and in a way, I rejoice to say, that was entirely to the honor of Mme. Walska.
Personally, I believe in meeting and greeting artists as artists. More cannot be done; it were wrong to do less, and besides it is very seldom that a preconceived notion of what a performer can or cannot do, goes far in the right direction. A few advance notions (I had only to hear—I did not listen—the conversations of those around me) had become associated with Mme. Walska, but let it be said to her permanent credit, they were dissipated completely long before the symphony was ended.
Mme. Walska proved to her audience that she is an artist worthy of serious consideration. She has taken her place in the artistic firmament, as any artist is entitled to do who has a finished style, an interesting, well-placed voice, intelligence, and who is absolutely sincere in what he or she does.
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Ganna Walska Scores Success at First .Appearance on the Paris
Concert Stage
Mme. Walska’s First Paris Appearance.
M. Caplet was fortunate in having at his disposal an able and competent quartet of soloists. The main attention of the audience was centered upon the first appearance on the Paris concert stage of Mme. Ganna Walska, who surprised all those of her critics who had not heard her by singing very well. The soprano part in the symphony is not very long, but it is difficult, and Mme. Walska acquitted herself valiantly of the hazardous task to the complete satisfaction of everyone present. At the end of the symphony the audience broke out in a storm of applause for M. Caplet, which he generously shared with the soloists, chorus and the orchestra.—Loomis Taylor, Musical Courier’s Paris Correspondent.
Assisting Artist
Max KAPLICK
(BARITONE)
Formerly of the BOSTON OPERA COMPANY
ENGAGEMENTS BOOKED New York, Baltimore, Cumberland, Niagara Falls, Philadelphia, Boston, Pittsburgh, Elmira, Detroit, Chicago, Greenville, Nashville, Memphis, Kansas City, St. Louis and Denver.
Aeolian Hall New York City
KNABE PIANO
JULES DA1BER
(Exclusive Management)