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Musical Courier 1891-06-03: Vol 22 Iss 589, 1891
78 lines. Read by computer on 19 September 2026. Printed page 580. See the scan on archive.org.
1The trio, as usual, called at The Musical Courier office before leaving.
3A JOLLY CHRISTIAN.—Christian Fritsch, the tenor, sang "Je suis Barbe Bleue" for the members of the Naval Battalion a few nights ago and made a tremendous hit.
5THE ARNOLDS.—Richard Arnold, accompanied by his wife, sails on the Normannia to-morrow. They expect to travel in Germany, France and Switzerland, returning in October. Bayreuth, of course, will be their objective point.
7Paris Letter.
8Paris, 30 Faubourg St. Honoré, May 3, 1891.
10THE season, which has continued without interruption since the beginning of January, is now on the wane, and after this week there will be but few concerts, which I regret exceedingly, as I have never seen such a brilliant and varied season. Tchaikowsky conducted fourteen of his works at the Chatélet, April 5 (Colonne being absent in Russia), and was exceedingly well received. He will return after the New York engagement and write a work for the Grand Opéra; so it has been stated in the journals. As for Colonne, he is at present very popular, inasmuch as he is to be the chef d'orchestre at the Grand Opéra under the new management, beginning January 1 next. At the last two performances of "La Damnation de Faust" he was accorded ovations such as any musician would be proud of. Certainly, I have yet to hear a performance of this work in America to compare with the interpretation of the Colonne orchestra, and I have several times heard the work in New York when the performances were admirable. In Paris, however, it is tout à fait different; there is more sentiment infused into the interpretation, and the shading, the pianissimo passages and delicacy were ravishing.
12In addition to Hegner another prodigy has appeared recently at the Salle Pleyel. Quanté, a violinist of twelve years, and pupil of Massart, of the conservatoire, was heard in Vieuxtemps' "Fantaisie Appassionata" and a mazurka of Wieniawski. The lad showed remarkable talent; his playing evinced an amount of soul and sentiment seldom heard, and he will undoubtedly become an artist of no mean order. His sister, Miss Quanté, also a pupil of the conservatoire, appeared with him, and performed with credit several morceaux on the piano.
14I was present at the third soirée given by the Baronne de la Tombelle on Tuesday evening last, at her hotel, which was the most brilliant given during the season. Many of the prominent artists assisted, and the program included selections from "St. Paul," of Mendelssohn, and a scène lyrique entitled "Balthazar," of Alexandre Guilmant, for soli, chorus, and the orchestral accompaniment arranged for piano and organ. F. de la Tombelle conducted and Guilmant presided at the organ, with Miss Marguerite Allard at the piano. This work is most attractive, the themes original and well developed, and it has surprised me that we have not heard it in America. As a conductor De la Tombelle is at his ease and at all times holds his forces well together. The interpretation was admirable and the chorus "Terreur des Convives" sung with great precision and redemanded. Tuesday evening he appeared as pianist at a séance given by Miss Cuyer (a pupil of talent of Guilmant), and to-day he was with him at La Madeleine, where he supplied the place of Dubois at the grand organ. He is an artist with much talent, either as organist, pianist, conductor or composer.
16At the 214th concert of the Société Nationale Française a movement from the "Ariane" symphony, of Guilmant, was given, which was heard also at a séance given by the Société des Compositeurs de Musique at the Salle Pleyel. It is original and melodious; at the same time the harmonies are varied and serious in construction.
18The ancient clavecin has been used much during the season, and the morceaux of Rameau, Bach, Couperin, &c., have once more been heard on their original instrument. The effect is exceedingly drôle at first, and one often wonders how the masters were able to write as they did with the instruments of the period. At a séance recently given by Nadaud, in connection with Dièmè, he performed a sonata in D major of Händel with much success, while recently, at the Grande Salle de la Société de Géographie, Messrs. Delsart and Risler gave the third sonata of Boccherini for violoncello and clavecin. These performances have proved to be most interesting and an agreeable change from the amount of piano and orchestral numbers one constantly hears.
20The séances devoted to chamber music have continued almost uninterruptedly for nearly three months, and many new works of promise have been heard, as well as those of the old masters. Performances of quartets of Brahms, Beethoven, Schumann, &c., are heard constantly, and they are always of a high order of merit.
22Last Sunday at the conservatoire the program included Beethoven's eighth symphony, and one by Haydn in C; overture, "Fingal's Cave," Mendelssohn, and selections from Berlioz's "L'Enfance du Christ," and "Epithalame de Gwendoline" of Em. Chabrier, while that of to-day was devoted to Bach's B minor mass, with Guilmant at the organ. As I wrote you recently, the interpretation of the conservatoire orchestra is without question the best to be heard in Europe, and certainly could not be excelled. At to-day's performance of Bach's immortal mass I was deeply impressed, and the wonderful contrapuntal beauties were magnificently brought out by the orchestra and chorus. For nearly two weeks it has been impossible to secure a place for this concert, and many of the artists, including Gounod, assisted, it being the closing concert of the season.
24"Le Mage" is given frequently at the Grand Opéra, and as you have already received an account of the first performances I will not add more, except to say that I found the work very uninteresting and that it does not compare in merit with Massenet's other works; but as a spectacle I have yet to see its equal. Gorski recently gave a successful concert devoted to the works of Schumann, with Paderewski at the piano, and Miss Kleeberg two interesting séances de piano at the Salle Érard. I was present at two of the balls given at the Grand Opéra during the season, which have been most brilliant, as one can well imagine, in the grand salle of the Opéra, and a sight not soon to be forgotten.
26Guilmant has announced four concerts with organ and orchestra at the Trocadéro during the month of May which will be a brilliant finale to the season.
28Avec mes compliments, WILLIAM C. CARL.
30FOREIGN NOTES.
32VIENNA MALE CHORUS.—The Vienna male chorus started recently with 178 members on its Oriental tour. The chorus is to sing before the Sultan, and at Athens on May 24 they serenaded the sister of the German Emperor.
34MUSIC AT MADRAS.—A school of music has been established at Madras, and representations have been made to the Government to place the institution under state control.
36A TWANGY QUARTET.—A new quartet, by Nicolo Calace, has just been published; it is written for two mandolins, guitar and lute, and consists of a "largo affettuosa," a "canzonetta" and a "scherzo finale." Being very short it may be played by amateurs, who may be sure that its pretty, easy melodies will please the audience.
38SPOHR'S "SCHOOL."—It is sixty years since Spohr wrote and elaborated his great "Violin School;" but though the technic of playing has considerably advanced of late years, Spohr's work still remains the chief book of practical instruction. We note this in connection with the fact that a new edition of the famous "School" has just been brought out by Litolf, of Brunswick.
40SOME RUSSIAN MUSIC.—Alphonse Leduc, of Paris, has lately published some interesting music by Russian composers. Among these may be cited pieces by Borodine, a small suite of whose and the nocturne and the reverie are very charming. The suite is in the répertoire of the conservatoire concerts at Brussels. From the pen of César Cui, "Les Miniatures," piano pieces, full of poetry and freshness, and "Les Vignettes," a collection of songs translated from the Russian by the French poet Adenis. Rimsky-Korsakov contributes the "Antar" symphony, the performance of which created such an excitement at the Trocadéro concerts; Liadoff, the "Birouki Suite" (children's games), fourteen short though most interesting pieces. "Zigzags," by Stcherbatcheff, is a humorous collection written in a very uncommon style. In presenting these charming and original compositions the French editor has accomplished an artistic work, and these admirable productions, not known here, ought to meet with a good reception.
42A GENUINE WAGNERITE.—"L'Art Musical" relates a suggestive incident which occurred after a recent representation of "Siegfried" at Brussels. A provincial lawyer, a pronounced Wagnerite, was present at one of the last performances of the great Bayreuth composer's work. When produced at the Belgian capital the opera was given in its original form, but a few weeks ago the manager thought it best to shorten it in some important parts. Our lawyer, observing that the work was not performed in its original way, determined not to submit to the mutilation, and demanded that the money paid for his seat should be returned to him, and 200 frs. as damages and interest. The directors are therefore ordered to appear on May 5 before the tribunal, to answer the complaint. We are curious to learn the result of this novel lawsuit.
44FRANCHETTI'S NEW OVERTURE.—At an orchestral concert given in Genoa the overture to Franchetti's new opera "Christofer Columbus" was performed with great success. The opera itself will have its first production in that city later on.
46THE HANDEL FESTIVAL AT LONDON.—The arrangements for the forthcoming Handel Festival on June 19, 22, 24 and 26, are now practically complete, and, of course, in several respects they are identical with those of former years. As regards the program, variations are only possible on the Selection Day, and we are glad to note that an adequate proportion of novelty will be included in this scheme. Handelian musicians will be pleased to hear four numbers from the "Chandos Anthems," especially the chorus "O come let us sing," which is in the composer's finest manner; also the overtures to "Semele" and "Giustino," and selections from "Berenice" and the "Water Music." Popular portions of "Acis and Galatea," "Jephthah," "Samson," and "Solomon," as well as the organ concerto in F, No. 4—somewhat oddly styled its composer's grandest—will be repeated, in deference to general desire. The leading vocalists engaged are the ladies Albani, Macintyre, Emily Squire, Nordica, Marian McKenzie and Belle Cole, and Messrs. Lloyd, M'Guckin, Santley, Brereton and Bridson. Mr. Manns will, of course, conduct, and Mr. W. T. Best will be solo organist.
48"MANON" DRAWS MONEY.—The Vienna Court Opera House drew 62,000 florins with twenty-one performances of Massenet's "Manon." The first performance, on November 19, brought to the strong box 2,991 florins, while those of March 21 and 30 drew 3,054 florins each.
50HELLMESBERGER'S LATEST.—"The Flower's Revenge" is the title of a newly finished ballet. The music is by Court Conductor Hellmesberger, of Vienna, while the libretto and choreographic ideas are by Balletmaster Rathgeber, of Frankfort-on-the-Main.
52A LETTER BY ROSSINI.—A rather peculiar letter of Rossini's has just come to light. Toward the end of 1863 Rossini composed a mass which was performed in Paris at the house of the rich banker, Pillet-Will. On the last page of the manuscript the following was found:
54Heavenly Father:
55Finally terminated is this poor mass, actually composed of sacred music and of music damned. You know I was born for the opera bouffe and all of my worldly belongings consist of a little bit of heart and less science of knowledge. Therefore bless me and permit me to enter Paradise.
57GIOACHINO ROSSINI.
59A NOVELTY BY GLUCK.—A choral work of Gluck, up to the present time totally ignored and one which possesses many fine passages, is about to be published. This work was composed for the Grand Duke Leopold of Tuscany, in 1768, and performed for the first time on February 22 of the same year.
61TEDDY SOLOMON.—Solomon's new opera, "The Rajah of Chutneepore," is in full rehearsal at the Savoy and will be presented to the public on Saturday, June 20. Rutland Barrington will be the "Rajah" and Nellie Stewart, a new soprano from Australia, will have the principal female part. Jessie Bond and other leading members of the present Savoy company will also be in the bill. A remarkable thing about this opera is said to be that nearly everybody is satisfied with his or her part.
63BERLIN.—Messrs. Walter and Frank Damrosch and George Bunsen and family were entertained at dinner last Friday evening by Mr. Phelps. Miss Geraldine Morgan, the American violinist; Miss Currie Duke, Courtland Palmer and other artists were present.
65BELLE COLE.—Belle Cole, the vocalist, will pay this country a visit next month.
67"LIGHTNING" AT COLOGNE.—Halévy's "L'Eclair" has been revived with brilliant success at Cologne.
69A PANEGYRIC ON "LAKMÉ."—"Le Menestrel" takes advantage of the 100th performance of Delibes' "Lakmé" to deliver a panegyric on this charming work, one of the pleasantest the modern French school has produced since "Mignon" and "Carmen."
71MR. DAMROSCH GETS GOOD NEWS.—Berlin, May 26, 1891.—Mr. Walter Damrosch, son-in-law of Mr. Blaine, has arrived here. Shortly after reaching this city Mr. Damrosch received cable messages from New York stating that Mr. Blaine was rapidly recovering his health and that the stories circulated about his illness were greatly exaggerated.
73HALTON.—Word has been received from London that Miss Marie Halton has been re-engaged to sing all of next season at the Lyric Theatre. This puts an end to her much talked of production of "La Cigale," which was to be given under Mr. Marcus Mayer's management in this country. Miss Lillian Russell is being advertised in the London papers to sing there late in the summer in "La Cigale," but the prima donna says it is not quite settled as yet whether she will sing there or not.
75FAY.—Miss Amy Fay, the pianist and author of "Music in Germany," will give one of her "piano conversations" this afternoon at Chickering Hall. She will have the assistance of her child pupil, Laura Sanford, aged ten years, who made her début in Albany a short time ago. It is thought by many that she is quite as remarkable as the famous little Otto Hegner.
77A NEW COMIC OPERA.—T. P. Thorne's romantic comic opera, "The Puritan's Daughter," will be heard next season, with Lilian Russell and Carl Streitman in the cast, at the Garden Theatre. The opera will be put on the stage in the most elaborate manner. The libretto is by Green.
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