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Musical Courier 1890-07-02: Vol 21 Iss 541, 1890
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1plan of commissioning Verdi to write an opera—"Columbus"—for the Chicago world's fair. This plan, if consummated, would undoubtedly result in a worthy counterpart to Wagner's $5,000 "Centennial March" of Philadelphia's world's fair fame, or, rather, notoriety.
3As to the ways and methods to be employed for a worthy exhibition of musical art of the world in general and of the United States in particular at the coming fair, I would submit a few pertinent suggestions.
5(a) Let a committee of Chicago musicians be appointed whose duty shall consist in conferring with the proper authorities for the purpose of securing suitable halls and the necessary funds for carrying out the plans enumerated below.
7(b) These preliminaries being attended to, let the Chicago Auditorium be reserved for a first-class opera company, whose office it shall be to give us worthy representations of classical and modern operas in the vernacular.
9The advisability of such a proceeding is beyond all doubt, for everybody is clamoring for grand opera in English, and as to the practicability and feasibility of the proposed plan I only need remind you of the comparative great artistic success of Mrs. Thurber's poorly managed American Opera Company, premature as the project then certainly was in many respects. As it is, such great American singers as Miss Sybil Sanderson, Miss Eames, Miss de Lussan, Miss Russell and a host of others are delighting the fastidious European audiences with their fine talents, while Americans pay fabulous prices to hear German or Italian opera, neither of which they understand. If this plan is carried out, the Metropolitan Opera Company, of New York, would be quasi-compelled to fall in line, which in turn would bury all operatic performances in foreign tongues for ever and ever, amen! Indeed a worthy object for the M. T. N. A. to attain and well worth the most arduous labors of three years. The time is certainly most opportune, and if a change is not effected now, i.e., in connection with the world's fair, we may never get rid of the present sad state of affairs operatic. We are competent to produce grand opera on a worthy scale with American talent, and therefore the world has a right to demand it of us at a fair inaugurated for the special purpose of demonstrating our progress in the various domains of literature, science and art, as well as of the achievements in more material matters.
11(c) Let the M. T. N. A. invite the orchestras of the whole world to give special concerts, the programs of which to consist chiefly of works by the composers of the respective countries; also invite the military bands of the world to a competitive tournament.
13(d) Let the M. T. N. A. invite the State associations to give grand vocal and instrumental concerts with home talent exclusively. At each of the concerts let the program contain at least one composition for chorus and orchestra by a resident composer of the respective State, and besides as many minor works of its composers as expedient.
15(e) On the Fourth of July, 1893, let a grand public school concert be given in open air, the program of which to consist exclusively of national and patriotic airs. Let each State be invited to send a delegation of its best school choruses to this concert, the number of participants being limited to 5,000.
17Thus far I have mentioned some measures which would affect the whole physiognomy of the world's fair, as such, in a most pronounced manner, but which eventually would demand the initiative and moral influence of the M. T. N. A. only. I have one more plan, however, which, if carried out, will be the characteristic feature of the proposed Chicago convention in 1893.
19(f) Let the M. T. N. A. offer a prize for the best cantata, treating the historical development of the United States from the discovery of America down to the present day, with special reference to the liberty wars, the Declaration of Independence, the abolition of slavery, and, lastly, the freedom and prosperity which fugitives from all parts of the globe and their descendants are enjoying under the protecting folds of the Stars and Stripes. Every episode could be appropriately and beautifully illustrated by a corresponding tableau; so, for instance, the landing of Columbus, the landing of the Puritans, the English surrender at Yorktown, the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Lincoln, surrounded by his generals and secretaries, delivering the negro from slavery, and, lastly, "Columbia," with tyranny and anarchy prostrate at her feet, stretching her protecting arms over her children, native and adopted, who in turn would sing in ecstatic accents "Hail, Columbia," in which the whole audience might join.
21Let the best cantata be set to music by such composers only who are citizens of the United States, the best setting to be selected according to the usages hitherto adopted by the M. T. N. A.
23Let this cantata (which is to fill one-half of an evening's program) be performed at each of the grand chorus and orchestral concerts during the convention (and as many times thereafter as it may prove an attracting power); let a chorus of one to two thousand voices be selected from the best singing societies of the whole country, which would ensure a performance of the work such as never would have had its equal. From a musical point of view this cantata could contain extremely interesting features, such as a "World's Fair Triumphal March," Spanish melodies in connection with the Columbus episode, Roman Catholic and Protestant hymns, creole and negro airs, national and patriotic songs, besides characteristic elements of German, Scotch, Scandinavian music as suggestive of the bands of hardy emigrants from these countries.
25I need not add that every one of the concerts proposed above would command the widest attention of the visitors to the Chicago Fair, and that, besides enhancing the grandeur thereof to no mean extent, they would prove extremely beneficial to the World's Fair Fund.
27Trusting that these suggestions may prove of sufficient interest to command the earnest attention of your worthy body, and that thereby American music may find a worthy representation in Chicago through the initiative of the M. T. N. A. or, as I would have it rechristened, the American Musical Society, I subscribe, with fraternal greeting,
29F. X. ARENS.
31THE MUSIC TEACHERS' NATIONAL ASSOCIATION IN 1890.
33SOME idea of the dignity and artistic importance of the approaching fourteenth annual meeting of the M. T. N. A., at Detroit, Mich., July 1, 2, 3 and 4, may be gathered from the subjoined roll of officers of the association actively engaged in the work of this year's meeting.
35Such a list of musicians—embracing as it does nearly every name known and honored in connection with the profession of music in America—is of itself sufficient to explain the unprecedented enthusiasm over the approaching meeting which is everywhere manifest, and which enthusiasm is naturally at a fever heat in the beautiful city of Detroit where the festival meeting is to be held.
37When to this is added the list of world renowned artists who, with the inimitable Thomas orchestra, under the personal leadership of Theodore Thomas, will execute the musical program for this four days' artistic festival, and the long list of accomplished speakers, including His Excellency Governor Luce, of Michigan, and the honored president of the Michigan University, James B. Angell, LL.D., who will speak from the platform, it is obvious that the coming event is to be of unexampled brilliancy.
39The list of active workers for 1890 is as follows:
41President…..Albert Ross Parsons, New York.
42Secretary…..Dr. H. S. Perkins, Chicago, Ill.
43Treasurer…..W. H. Dana, Warren, Ohio.
45EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.
46J. H. Hahn………….Detroit, Mich.
47A. A. Stanley………..Ann Arbor, Mich.
48F. H. Pease………….Ypsilanti, Mich.
50PROGRAM COMMITTEE.
51Calixa Lavallée………..156 Tremont-st., Boston, Mass.
52Wilson G. Smith………..55 Euclid-ave., Cleveland, Ohio.
53Dr. F. Ziegfeld………..Central Music Hall, Chicago, Ill.
54August Hyllested……….Central Music Hall, Chicago, Ill.
55A. I. Epstein (alternate)…..2214 Lucas-pl., St. Louis, Mo.
57Standing Committees.
59ORCHESTRAL AND CHORAL CONCERT FUND.
601889-1890—Past President Max Leckner.Indianapolis, Ind.
611889-1891—Past President Calixa Lavallée. Boston, Mass.
621889-1892—Past President Dr. S. N. Penfield. New York city.
64CHURCH MUSIC.
651889-1890—Past President Dr. S. N. Penfield. New York city.
66Waldo S. Pratt. Hartford, Conn.
67Past President A. A. Stanley. Ann Arbor, Mich.
681889-1891—Past President E. M. Bowman. Newark, N. J.
69S. P. Warren. New York city.
70Vice-President S. B. Whitney. Boston, Mass.
711889-1892—Past President F. B. Rice. Oberlin, Ohio.
72H. B. Roney. Chicago, Ill.
73Sumner Salter. New York city.
75TERMINOLOGY.
761889-1890—Dr. S. Austen Pearce. New York city.
77Arthur Foote. Boston, Mass.
78Vice-President J. C. Fillmore. Milwaukee, Wis.
791889-1891—W. S. B. Matthews. Chicago, Ill.
80Frederick W. Root. Boston, Mass.
81Vice-President C. B. Cady. Chicago, Ill.
821889-1892—Waldo S. Pratt. Hartford, Conn.
83Vice-President Chas. W. Landon. Claverack, N. Y.
84Vice-President H. C. Macdougall. Providence, R. I.
86National Method of Musical Instruction.
87HARMONY SECTION.
881889-1890—Dr. Hugh A. Clarke. Philadelphia, Pa.
891889-1891—Past President E. M. Bowman. Newark, N. J.
901889-1892—Vice-President J. C. Fillmore. Milwaukee, Wis.
92VOCAL SECTION.
931889-1890—W. L. Tomlins. Chicago, Ill.
941889-1891—George L. Osgood. Boston, Mass.
951889-1892—Frederick W. Root. Chicago, Ill.
97PUBLIC SCHOOL MUSIC SECTION.
981889-1890—N. Coe Stewart. Cleveland, Ohio.
991889-1891—Past President W. F. Heath. Fort Wayne, Ind.
1001889-1892—Vice-Pres. Chas. W. Landon. Claverack, N. Y.
102PIANO SECTION.
1031889-1890—Dr. Wm. Mason. Orange, N. J.
1041889-1891—W. S. B. Matthews. Chicago, Ill.
1051889-1892—Arthur Foote. Boston, Mass.
107ORGAN SECTION.
1081889-1890—Vice-President S. B. Whitney. Boston, Mass.
1091889-1891—Vice-President N. H. Allen. Hartford, Conn.
1101889-1892—S. P. Warren. New York city.
112PUBLIC SCHOOL MUSIC STATISTICS.
1131889-1890—N. Coe Stewart. Cleveland, Ohio.
114Benjamin Jepson. Hartford, Conn.
115J. B. Leslie. New Albany, Ind.
117STERNBERG'S PHILADELPHIA ESSAY.
1181889-1890—Vice-President Constantin Sternberg. Atlanta, Ga.
119J. S. Van Cleve. Cincinnati, Ohio.
120Past President Max Leckner. Indianapolis, Ind.
122NATIONAL TUNERS' GUILD.
1231889-1890—Vice-President Charles W. Landon. Claverack, N. Y.
124Samuel V. Thatcher. Binghamton, N. Y.
125Daniel J. Greenleaf. Port Jervis, N. Y.
127Vice-Presidents.
128C. L. Doll. 308 South Perry-st., Montgomery, Ala.
129Ludwig Thomas. Prescott, Ariz.
130Mrs. L. Heerwagen. Little Rock, Ark.
131J. H. Rosewald. 938 Geary-st., San Francisco, Cal.
132Otto Pfefferkorn. University of Denver, Col.
133E. H. Allen. 882 Main-st., Jamestown, N. Dak.
134Mrs. F. Klapp. Yankton, S. Dak.
135Mrs. Myra Ross-Wagoner. Wilmington, Del.
136Robert B. Beatty. 1213 Twelfth-st., Washington, D. C.
137Mrs. Annie G. Parker. Atlanta, Ga.
138Constantin Sternberg. Auditorium, Chicago, Ill.
139C. B. Cady. Fort Wayne, Ind.
140A. Rommel. Mount Pleasant, Ia.
141John W. Metcalf. Wabash, Ind.
142Rudolf von Roede. Lexington, Ky.
143J. W. H. Eckert. 402 St. Andrew-st., New Orleans, La.
144Henry F. Roy. 256 Lisbon-st., Lewiston, Me.
145Henry Schwing. 19 Lexington-st., Baltimore, Md.
146S. H. Hahn. 654 Tremont-st., Boston, Mass.
147Walter Petzet. 801 South Twelfth-ave., Minneapolis, Minn.
148M. I. Epstein. 2214 Lucas-pl., St. Louis, Mo.
149Mrs. A. Barbe. Verona, Miss.
150Mrs. E. A. McMillan. Deer Lodge, Mont.
151Ernst D. Conrath. State University, Lincoln, Neb.
152Mrs. A. Lawson. Post Office Building, Manchester, N. H.
153E. T. Baldwin. 115 Hillel, Memphis, Tenn.
154Charles W. Landon. Claverack, N. Y.
155Henry Harding. Freehold, N. J.
156W. H. Neave. Salisbury, N. C.
157John H. Wolfram. Canton, Ohio.
158E. Cook. Arlington Building, Portland, Ore.
159Charles H. Jarvis. 3738 Locust-st., Philadelphia, Pa.
160H. C. Macdougall. 24 Summer-st., Providence, R. I.
161Mrs. E. T. Tobey. Columbia, S. C.
162Horn. 115 Hillel, Memphis, Tenn.
163John P. Meakin. Box 877, Ogden, Utah.
164M. H. Eddy. St. Johnsbury, Vt.
165F. R. Webb. Staunton, Va.
166Lily Church. 1308 Ann-st., Parkerstown, W. Va.
167J. C. Fillmore. Spokane Falls, Wash.
168Edward Fisher. 12 Wilton Crescent, Toronto, Ont., Canada.
169W. E. Fairclough. 17 McGill College, Montreal, Que., Canada.
171AT the Detroit meeting of the M. T. N. A. this week THE MUSICAL COURIER will be represented by several members of its staff.
173—Louis Michaelis, pianist and teacher, left for Teplitz in Bohemia on the Hamburg steamer last Thursday.
175—Alfredo Barrili, the Atlanta, Ga., pianist and teacher, paid a call to THE MUSICAL COURIER before his departure for Europe, where he will visit his aunt, Adelina Patti, at her castle in Craig-y-Nos, by special invitation.
177—Miss Agnes Huntington will sail for New York about September 1, and a thirty weeks' American tour of "Paul Jones" will commence under the direction of Mr. Marcus Mayer at Broadway Theatre on October 6.
179—The plans for the new Mozart Opera House to be erected at Salzburg have been drawn by the Vienna architects Feltner and Helmer, and they have been approved of. The theatre will be situated on a little hill in the immediate vicinity of the city. It is planned in Renaissance style and will hold 1,500 people.
181—Although Berlin is now one of the principal operatic centres of the Continent, the local music lovers seem by no means satisfied with the performances offered them, particularly as to the recent revival of "Die Meistersinger." The Central Theatre is now being pulled down, and it will probably be converted into a light opera house. Mr. Gardini's Italian troupe has also left the Kroll Theatre, which is now occupied by a company at the head of which are Mrs. Sembrich and the tenor Mr. Götz. Many Wagner lovers of Berlin are, however, agitating for the establishment of a new theatre on the lines of Bayreuth; and, as some of them seem to be willing to put down a good deal of money in the venture, the thing will probably come off. It is proposed that the house itself and the repertory played shall, as nearly as possible, approach that settled by Wagner himself for Bayreuth, and the direction of the venture, which will start in 1892, is to be entrusted to Dr. Hans von Bülow, Mr. Neumann and Mr. H. Wolff, concert agent, of Berlin.
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