“A performance of remarkable excellence was given by Theodore Drury and his associates, who revealed in a manner most astonishing what talent is to be found among the Colored people. “Aida” was sung and admirably sung by Mme. Estelle Clough of Worcester, Mass. She has a voice of wonderful range, and her high notes are so exquisitely sung that Melba herself need have no shame were she the possessor. The performance was a credit to all and a revelation to many who, like myself, had never seen anything of the sort before. The audience was very large and thoroughly appreciative.”
Last year the Drury Opera company gave a performance of Mascagni’s “Cavalleria Rusticana” and Leoncavallo’s “Pagliacci” at the Lexington Opera House for the benefit of the Home for Colored Musicians. Mme. Clough’s magnificent conception of the character of “Nedda” in the opera “Pagliacci” won immediate recognition. Her rendition of this role was marked by the display of intense emotional power, coupled with telling vocal capacity and expression.
Mme. Clough recalls with interest the singing tour recently made in Baltimore and Washington with the S. Coleridge-Taylor Choral society of Washington. Our artist sang the soprano roles in S. Coleridge-Taylor’s “Hiawatha.” There were 200 voices in the chorus and the music was rendered by the United States Marine band, under the direction of the composer of “Hiawatha.”
We have taken a rather extensive review of work far and near, but now we come home to ask the question whether or not a “prophet hath honor in his own country?” The proof in the affirmative is a matter of so recent date that hundreds of Worcester people are still discussing the marvellous ability of our accomplished musician. Concert by Mme. Estelle Clough. Mechanics’ hall, Worcester, Mass., Thursday evening, May 4, 1905, assisted by a number of talented artists: Mr. Paul C. W. Dufault, tenor, New York; Miss Marion Ward, violinist, Nashua, N. H.; Mr. Ernest S. Valva, flutist; Miss Blanche Kenerson, pianist and accompanist Miss Gertrude Gallagher, pianist; Mrs. Emma La Bonte, alto; Mr. C. Sharp, tenor; Mr. W. Ryan, basso, and a chorus of 40 ladies.
MME. ESTELLE PINKNEY CLOUGH
More than 1500 persons listened with pleasure to the program so well arranged and including some of the most ambitious numbers which are included in the repertoire of a soprano.
In referring to this concert, the Worcester Post says: “Mme. Clough achieved a distinct success. Her high and resonant tones, flexible and sweet, were heard to advantage in every part of the hall. Her selections were: “Ocean, Thou Mighty Monster,” from “Oberon,” Weber; “Indian Bell Song,” from “Lakme,” Delibes; “The Nightingale,” from “Les Noces de Jeannette,” Masse, and “The Sea Maiden,” Smart.
Her handsome stage presence, her stunning gown of black velvet cut decollete and en train, with necklace of rare pearls and crimson roses in her hair, made a most attractive picture as she stood and received the prolonged applause that is seldom accorded even to a festival singer. She was presented many beautiful bouquets and was forced to return again and again.
The Ocean aria calls for careful management of the vocal organs and this was not lacking. The Indian bell song showed the flexibility and staccato power of her tones which imitated the sounds of the bell at even. The Masse aria, with flute obligato by Ernest Valva, was a number few sopranos would dare to attempt for the contrast between flute and voice would be only too noticeable if the voice should fail to be of the pure quality demanded by the writing. Mme. Clough sang like the nightingale and the hall resounded with applause.