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Musical Courier 1891-02-18: Vol 22 Iss 574, 1891
93 lines. Read by computer on 20 September 2026, twice; the two readings disagreed in places. Printed page 156. See the scan on archive.org.
1Much Music in Cincinnati.
2Cincinnati, Ohio, February 12, 1891.
3The bane of Cincinnati is a pernicious system of free concerts. Schools, colleges, artists, societies give free, free, free concerts! To keep in the swim at all one must follow suit. Rummel's recitals this Tuesday and Saturday are attracting much attention, and that entirely newly developed artist, improved by the ripeness of experience, is meeting with the respect that he deserves. The Apollo Club's second concert of the season was a great event—Music Hall jammed. The program was above all popular and quite a rest and amusement after serious labors. Males sang "Pilgrims' Chorus," "Suomi's Song"—a grand piece of shading, by Franz Mair; "Hi-fe-linke-le" of B. J. Lang, a right merry conceit. The College Female Choir sang "The Gypsies" of Brahms-Viardot with much finish and laudable precision. All united presented the very sweet and idyllic "Narcissus" of Massenet. Mr. Foley conducted with his usual verve and the Apollos and Choir undoubtedly made a most pleasing and well graded ensemble. I doubt much that the former could be much excelled by any body at present before the public.
4Strange to say, upon presenting our credentials as your correspondent, I was informed that the musical press was out of it.
5Some of my friends very kindly placed quite a number of tickets at my disposal, placing me in an independent attitude. Methinks such policy is surely unnecessary haughtiness. Del Puente made a fizzle of the "Toreador" song, and poor Ehrgott had to accompany at about 50 yards from the vocal list. Why was it not sung with orchestra? Urso played an abominable concoction, dubbed polonaise, of Laub, and that chestnut of a nocturne, op. 2, No. 2, of Chopin. The soloists in my mind were distinctly not an attraction on the program.
6The chorus, called "May Festival," will give "The Elijah" in May, with the ideal "Elijah," Santley, as drawing card. This is decidedly to be preferred to a two years hiatus in the chorus' activity. We are promised other concerts by them.
7A decided elevation in the grade of entr' acte music may be announced in our temples of Thespis. Since Henry Froelich plays at the Pike with a topnot set of men as aides the music has been tasty and to the point. In Wainwright's "Twelfth Night" and Mathers' "Joan of Arc" a very sweet strain of well adapted old tunes greatly enhanced the pleasure of the dramas. Michael Brand, at the Grand, also displayed good taste.
8To tell the truth, this feature of theatre music is better here than in Boston. A laudable point in our musical activity here is the unusual quota of lectures on "Palestrina," "Bach," others by Elson, Cleve, Lauder and the very vital principle of sound literary musical training offered. The schools of the South and Southwest are advancing with ambitious zeal in aesthetic training.
9I have before me the circular of a very worthy conservatory in Fort Smith, Ark. (the brothers Botefuhr). The curriculum is sound and denotes conscientious work. The numerous normals and colleges are also developing a warm interest in the art of arts. Your correspondent has been engaged as musical director of the Arkansas Summer Normal School on the grand old Mount Nebo, Yellow County, for a ten weeks course of lectures, recitals, choral work, theory classes, and Mrs. Lauder will conduct the vocal department and ladies' glee club and quartets. They have a fine auditorium (1,200 capacity), hotel of 600 capacity and fine buildings. Several hundred of Arkansas teachers are to be present; the State Teachers' Convention meets there and is heart and soul for artistic instruction for their teachers. This is the true method of inculcating musical enthusiasm to the teachers of public schools, and through them to the mass of the youth of that State.
10This will without doubt be the Chautauqua of the South and Southwest, and as it is backed by the wealth of Little Rock and many other places, and as in addition to Arkansas parts of Missouri, Illinois, Tennessee and Alabama will be billed, and as there are thirty mineral springs in the neighborhood, over four hundred villas, a delightfully cool atmosphere for work at an altitude of 1,200 feet above the plain, in lofty aridcan groves, a more suitable location could scarcely be found. I mention this matter at length because I believe that the spasmodic activity developed by many students and teachers for a part of the year, followed by a well nigh equal period of idleness, is a pernicious system. The heat incapacitates most from severe labor. The main point is therefore to find locations offering cool, invigorating climate, coupled with artistic advantages for study, thus uniting pleasure, health and rest with a moderate amount of work, and the hearing of the whole history, theory and form, as well as a large analytical list of representative compositions of all schools and periods presented in a daily course of collegiate instruction.
11A course in "normal music," founded on the "national course" of Whiting Mason, and the "normal course" of Tufts and Holt, as well as vocal talks on the various so-called vocal methods, registers, schools, &c., will be presented to the "convention" and "normal session," and this all combined will have the indubitable result of stimulating healthy vocal instruction. Feeling that this effort of the State of Arkansas is one deserving of every encouragement and worthy of emulation by all teachers' institutes, conventions and normals, I venture to detail its particulars to your readers, who are found from Dan to Beersheba.
12I must state in closing that Rummel's programs are models of historical recitals, running from Conferrin, Rameau, Bach, through well nigh every school, down to Liszt, Brahms, Tschaikowsky, Rubinstein.
13The intermezzo scherzoso ("La Canzonatura") of Bülow created a little furor on Tuesday.
14On Saturday the lofty and inspired "Elevation" of Floersheim will be one of the entremets.
15W. Waugh Lauder.
17Toledo Correspondence.
18Toledo, Ohio, February 12, 1891.
19The cultured and enthusiastic audience that filled Whitney & Currier's Music Hall last Friday evening to hear Miss Aus der Ohe were rewarded with a performance of extraordinary merit and beauty. Her playing exceeded the expectations of the most sanguine. The program, consisting as it did of compositions by Chopin, Beethoven, Mendelssohn, Schumann, Liszt and Strauss-Tausig, gave the performer ample opportunity of exhibiting her wonderful powers of execution. Not alone was her digital ability and strength of touch remarked, but a most delicate and poetic feeling in interpretation, refinement of execution and wonderful versatility were revealed, which fairly transported her listeners. The enthusiastic applause with which Miss Aus der Ohe was greeted at the termination of each number gave evidence of the agreeable impression she made. She is an artist and will always be warmly welcomed by Toledo audiences.
20In keeping with the excellent work of the pianist was that of the lady vocalist of the evening, Mrs. W. H. Currier, of this city. She possesses a clear and sympathetic voice and the comparative ease and certainty with which she rendered Giorza's "Vien mio bene" evidenced her ability as a vocalist, and was a revelation to her hearers. Other beauties of voice, tenderness and pathos were made apparent in her second number, which was rendered in a highly effective manner, winning the sincere applause and appreciation of the entire audience.
21Music plays an important part in the impressive ceremonies of the Scottish Rite, and at the reunion which occurred here last week the music, under the direction of Mr. Frank R. Williams, of this city, was excellently rendered. The quartet consisted of Miss Bessie Doolittle, soprano; Mrs. F. R. Williams, contralto; Mr. W. A. Howell, tenor; Mr. F. R. Williams, baritone. Among the many beautiful numbers were: "Enter Into Rest" (Smart), "Come Ye Disconsolate" (Buck), "From Afar, Blessed Lord" (Verdi), "While We Hear the Wondrous Story" (Cantah), "My Faith Looks Up to Thee" (Meyer), "O, Rest in the Lord" (Mendelssohn-Cornell), and many others equally fine, all of which evinced great care and study on the part of the musical director and hard and conscientious work by those who so well interpreted the various numbers. The work was highly praised and deservedly so by the critical fraternity. Mr. Theodore Ecker, a frater, was accompanist.
22A pleasant concert was given by Grace Church choir on the 5th, consisting of piano solos, violin solos, duets, chorus and orchestral numbers by Toledo musicians. The program was varied and every number was well rendered.
23The St. Cecilias at a musicale recently rendered the following in their usually effective manner:
24a. "Germany"…………………Moszkowski one of two readings
25a. "Germany"………………..Moszkowski one of two readings
26b. "Russia"…………………Hope Temple
27c. "An Old Garden"…………………Hope Temple one of two readings
28c. "An Old Garden"………………..Hope Temple one of two readings
29d. Miss Nellie Goodwin…………………Wollenhaupt one of two readings
30d. Miss Nellie Goodwin………………..Wollenhaupt one of two readings
31e. Miss Schuck…………………R. R. French
32f. "Bonnie Eyes of Blue"…………………Mrs. J. J. Stealy one of two readings
33f. "Bonnie Eyes of Blue"………………..Keehe one of two readings
34g. "Firefly"…………………Keehe one of two readings
35g. "Firefly"…………………Miss Brown one of two readings
36h. "Spring Song"…………………Gounod one of two readings
37h. "Spring Song"………………..Gounod one of two readings
38i. Tarantelle…………………Scharwenka
39j. "Album Leaf"…………………Grieg one of two readings
40j. "Album Leaf"………………..Grieg one of two readings
41k. Mrs. Maclaren.
42At the Press Club benefit last evening Mrs. J. J. Stealy sang an aria from "Lucia di Lammermoor" in a highly artistic manner, showing to its fullest capacity her flexible and powerful soprano voice.
43H. Crosby Ferris.
45Ottawa Correspondence.
46Ottawa, Canada, February 9, 1891.
47EVENTS musical have been rare of late. Indeed, outside Cleveland's "magnificent" minstrels and Miss Romaine's piano recital at St. James' Hall, on January 31, the goddess of music has had a neglected shrine. However, on the 9th and 10th we are to have Carleton Opera Company in "Nanor" and "Claude Duval," and "The Gondoliers" 20th and 21st. Miss Laura MacGillivray, of Chicago, who made her second appearance in Ottawa as a reader, was greeted by a tremendous audience, and richly merited the enthusiastic applause showered upon her. The lady is young, talented, possessed of most charming personality, reads and recites with clear, distinct utterance, excellent phrasing, with a sympathy and rhetoric far beyond her years and experience. Miss MacGillivray was assisted by the Messrs. Butterworth and Cole, who played Mendelssohn's B minor concerto, op. 22 (orchestral parts by Miss Cole on a second piano), very charmingly indeed, and Miss Louisa Smith, who sang two charming ballads exceptionally well. The stage settings and surroundings were exquisite.
48The Cleveland Minstrels do not require any bolstering; they are, so to speak, head of their class. Miss Romaine's recital in St. James' Hall, on January 31, was largely and fashionably attended, and the young lady acquitted herself very well. Some slight mannerisms were now and then apparent, but time and her evident talent will overcome them. The selections for the evening covered Bach, Chopin, Brahms and Beethoven, not an easy task for an amateur to do from memory. Mr. F. C. Smythe, Musical Bachelor Trinity College, Dublin, has taken over the Canadian College of Music and, with Mr. Rushton Dodd, in voice culture; Mr. Boucher, violin, and that charming pianist, Miss Bertha O'Reiley, is creating quite a furor in musical circles. Mr. Smythe has been appointed organist of St. Andrew's Church and conductor of the Philharmonic Society, which has doubled its numbers since his advent. One of the students of the Canadian College of Music is studying for entrance to the Royal College of Music, London, and I think the fair student has a very good chance of success.
49Leonatus.
51Buffalo Correspondence.
52Buffalo, N. Y., February 16, 1891.
53THE Press Club annual concert and ball and the Vocal Society concert have been our most recent events. The former introduced young Violinist Marx and Pianist Cottilow, both of the Windy City, to Buffalo, and with local talent entertained a large audience. Both children made a success—the girl more especially, I hear. That evening found me in the city of Rochester in a professional capacity, so I can only report the Press concert by hearsay. That it was a splendid success all authorities agree. This was the twelfth annual event of the kind, and Messrs. C. J. Fleury and Company have the credit.
54Rochester is popularly supposed to be owned by one Powers. That this is a fallacy was clearly proven the night I was there, when the ownership of the town was divided between the one Powell and Mrs. H. W. Sibley. The latter lady gave a swell musicale, about the howlingest thing of the kind I ever was in, for I was "in it." All of the bung tung, as Beethoven Beck used to say, of the town was there, and Miss Powell, Miss Maud Morgan, the Ladies' Musical Club and your faithful correspondent reaped the honors—and afterward gathered in the shecks. Miss Powell had her 300 listeners literally at her feet, and that charming young woman added another laurel leaf to her brilliant wreath.
55Another Maud contributed to the pleasure of the occasion—Miss Morgan, who harped most beautifully and filled the beautiful mansion, a veritable castle, with sweet sounds. Mr. W. Walter d'Enyer, the conductor of the Ladies Club (who sings most charmingly, by the way), had the concert musicale in charge, and his genial presence was most welcome and enjoyable.
56The vocal concert also found me otherwise, rather otherwheres, engaged, and so I quote my two representatives, both ladies. One said it was "just lovely" and the other described it as "scrumptious." Miss Clench "wore a gown cut on the bias, with a train and pleats and ruffles and shirrs and hems and haws"—and that is all I remember.
57Seriously, however, the consensus of public report credits the society with an enjoyable concert; their specialty is the part song and glee, and I have heard some mighty fine singing at concerts by this society.
58Bravo, bravissimo, ye vocalites! And ditto, Mr. Joseph Mischka! ye conductor of ye same!
59The "otherwheres" mentioned above was a "Legion of Honor" affair, in which I had some sixteen accompaniments to play; of the participants in the affair, the sweet singing of sweet Lottie Inman is foremost in my memory, and bright young Dempsey, bass, and our excellent violinist, Marcus, contributed their share to the general enjoyment.
60Mr. John H. Meech, the jovial and popular manager of the Academy of Music, was director general of the entertainment and made things hustle.
61At Levi's Star Theatre the McCaul Opera Company have had full houses at high prices. Suppé's "Clover," "The Black Hussar," and "Seven Suabians" have been presented with a first rate chorus, orchestra and principals, among them Digby Bell and wife, Chauncey Olcott, Helen Bertram, Annie Meyers, Josie Knapp and others more or less known to fame, with a big F.
62But I have about covered the ground—told you all I know; so adieu einstweilen.
63F. W. Rihmsberg.
65Kingston Correspondence.
66Kingston, N. Y., February 14, 1891.
67THE first concert of the Philharmonic series, season '90 and '91, took place at the Kingston Opera House last Wednesday night. That it was a grand success in every way need only be stated to those living outside of this city, for here it has been the talk of the town ever since. It is indeed doubtful if this conservative old Dutch city ever before allowed itself to become so excited and pleased over any single musical event. The house was packed with the most brilliant and handsomely dressed audience that ever assembled here. All were either members or patrons of the society who had subscribed for the series of two concerts and two public rehearsals, no tickets being sold to the general public in the usual way, except to members having visitors from out of town.
68The membership list is now closed for the season, while others are clamoring to subscribe. But there are no more available seats in the opera house. William R. Chapman is now the musical director of the society, and to his indomitable push and contagious enthusiasm a large share of this success is due. He is one of the most active and energetic choral conductors now before the public, and this, together with his musical ability, brings that degree of magnetism to his baton which never fails to inspire a chorus and get out the best there is in it. The choruses on this occasion were rendered in a very pleasing manner, showing precision and unanimity of effort, general tunefulness and careful regard to dynamic coloring and intelligent phrasing. A specialty with Mr. Chapman is a capella singing, and even this difficult work received careful exemplification in this concert, and proved, as it always does when well done, highly pleasing to the audience.
69Miss Mary Howe was the leading soloist and she captivated every listener with her first number—a way she has. It was her usual selection from David's "Pearl of Brazil." The audience grew almost wild over her marvelously beautiful upper notes, the ease with which she produced them, her brilliant technique and her charming personality and bearing. Her response to the encores were graceful, and especially so in her "Comin' thro' the Rye," which I wish to commend because of an impression among her critics that such singing is out of Miss Howe's line. Another of her encores was a new lullaby for soprano, 'cello obligato and piano, lately written by Mr. Chapman.
70Miss Emily Lawler was the contralto, and she proved highly acceptable in her selections.
71Miss Flavie Van der Hende played her 'cello like a true artist. Her tone, though not large, is pure and finished, evincing fine musical thought and conception, with a good degree of skill in its delivery.
72Gustave d'Aguin, the flutist, filled his place most acceptably.
73Most of the concerted numbers were of the lighter order of composition, which brought no strain on the understanding or appreciation of the average listener. Included among them was a rollicking and pleasing excerpt from "The Captivity," Vogrich's new oratorio, just published, this being the first public rendition of any part of it.
74Isabelle Stone.—"Isabelle Stone, the well-known singer, sailed last Monday for Kingston, Jamaica, to fulfill a contract to extend throughout the West Indies. The driver who was to take her to the steamer was drunk; the horses which he was driving ran away on Eighth-ave., dashing into a lamp post, smashing a carriage and throwing Miss Stone out on the sidewalk. Although terribly bruised, she pluckily reached the steamer and sailed for Kingston."
75The only funny thing about this paragraph is that the "World" publishes it under the "Amusement Notes." It certainly could not have been very amusing to Miss Stone.
76ENGAGEMENTS FOR AMERICAN SONG BIRDS.—The American soprano, Miss Sybil Sanderson, has signed an engagement at the Grand Opéra, Paris, and will appear on June 1. During his recent visit to Paris Mr. Augustus Harris signed several fresh engagements for the Royal Italian Opera season at London, which will open about six weeks hence. Among them was the American dramatic soprano, Kate Rolla, who made a successful debut in London three years ago. Mr. Harris has also retained two Americans who are new to London. One of them, Miss Eames, is a pupil of Marchesi, and has already appeared at the Opéra Comique and the Grand Opéra, Paris. The other is Miss Risley, a contralto, likewise a pupil of Marchesi.
77MORE DEATHS.—The famous French prima donna, Rosine Bloch, died on Saturday a fortnight ago at Monte Carlo, from the consequences of a chill. She was forty-two years of age, and made her début at the Paris Opéra in 1865 as "Azucena" in "Il Trovatore." Her last appearance was at the Paris Eden Theatre in December, in "Samson et Dalila."
78We have also received news of the death at Brussels of Emil Blauwaert, the gifted Flemish baritone, who appeared in London in the original cast of Benoît's "Lucifer" at the Albert Hall in 1889. Mr. Blauwaert was an accomplished linguist, singing in French, Flemish, German, Italian, English and Russian, and in Germany and Belgium he was highly esteemed as a Wagnerian vocalist, he having appeared in Bayreuth two years ago, in "Parsifal," and in Berlin at a concert of the Wagner Society.
80METROPOLITAN OPERA HOUSE.
81GRAND OPERA IN GERMAN.
82LAST WEEKS OF THE OPERA.
83Wednesday, Feb. 13, at 8 P. M.,
84Last Evening performance of
85WAGNER'S OPERA,
86LOHENGRIN.
87Friday, Feb. 20, First production this season of
88BIZET'S OPERA,
89CARMEN.
90Saturday Matinee, Die Gouterdammerung.
91Box Office open daily from 9 a. m. till 6 p. m.
92Steinway Pianos used exclusively.
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