Scan 12
Musical Courier 1891-10-14: Vol 23 Iss 608, 1891
137 lines. Read by computer on 22 September 2026, twice; the two readings disagreed in places. Printed page 421. See the scan on archive.org.
1enterprise. Mr. F. B. Metzerott is giving personal attention to all details and can generally be found somewhere about the building, often in company with his brother, the doctor. Washington will have more good music this season than ever before. Nikisch comes five times, Damrosch four, Seidl four, the Choral Society gives three concerts and the Georgetown Orchestra three. This will give nearly one important concert a week from November to May.
3The Musical Assembly is also preparing for a concert to be given Sunday, December 13, under the direction of Mr. Robert C. Bernays.
5Omaha Notes.
7Omaha, October 6, 1891.
9The present season of dramatic and musical entertainments in Omaha may be said to have opened on the evening of September 3, when an audience was first admitted to Governor Boyd's new theatre. The honor of opening this magnificent temple was given to the "Alabama" company, and the brilliant audience was delightfully entertained.
11Ten years ago this enterprising gentleman provided this city with an opera house, which was then considered the finest, with one exception, between Chicago and San Francisco. Seven years later a company of capitalists transformed the west half of the exposition building into a commodious and well appointed theatre, with seating capacity for more than two thousand.
13Omaha has frequently been alluded to by the profession as an excellent patron of theatrical performances, and Governor Boyd believed that the time had come when a new house, equal in beauty and stage facilities to the best in the country, should be erected. He has accomplished the contemplated work, and has received in abundance the thanks of our people.
15The Garrow Opera Company began a season at the Grand late in August, continuing with fair success four weeks. Their repertory included "Ermine," "Girofle-Girofla," "Bohemian Girl" and two or three others of a lighter cast. Admission was furnished at popular prices—50 cents for reserved seats—with a view of establishing a series of creditable entertainments within easy reach. This plan will be continued through the winter.
17The old Boyd, now known as the Farnam Street Theatre, has been kept pretty warm with popular plays at reduced rates of admission. The character of its audiences has greatly changed since the new Boyd was opened, however, the latter maintaining the old scale of prices and inviting the better class of entertainments. Omaha is likely to be generously catered to this season, as dates at all the houses are generally taken.
19Musical matters are receiving more attention than ever before. The Apollo Club finished its season last year in a manner creditable to itself and satisfactory to its constituents. Under the intelligent leadership of Mr. L. A. Torrens greater things are likely to be accomplished during the coming winter. Incorporation papers have been filed, the male chorus will be increased to fifty, the ladies' auxiliary chorus to 100 and an excellent orchestra added. The list of subscribers to its support includes the elite of the city, and its concerts will be anticipated with a great deal of interest. Spohr's "Last Judgment" will be the initial number, to be followed by the "Messiah," "Elijah" and "Eve," with Myron Whitney and Mrs. Geneva Johnston-Bishop as soloists in oratorios and Hans d'Albert first violinist. "The Crusaders," given by this organization at its closing concert last year, was the best piece of chorus work the club has performed, and went far toward creating the kindly feeling which is now so manifest in its behalf. Its public entertainments this season will all be given in the new theatre.
21Professor Torrens has given further evidence of his progressiveness by the recent establishment in this city of a school of music. Members of the faculty already engaged are of exceptionally high character as musicians, and the school is being generously patronized.
23It was hoped some months ago that plans then being formed for the erection of an art and music hall would be matured and carried out.
25One of our most liberal contributors to educational and art matters, Mr. John A. Creighton, offered free use for a long term of years of a desirable piece of ground and proposed to make other contributions later on if money could be raised for a building. Matters had been pushed along very satisfactorily by friends of the undertaking and success seemed assured, when a wealthy citizen died, leaving to the city some valuable ground upon condition that a library and art building should be erected. Bonds are likely to be voted for this purpose, but the proposed hall will not cover the ground which the original plan contemplated. It is quite likely, however, that the first scheme will be killed, and Omaha must wait until some generous man or woman feels inclined to revive and carry it through. Other musical and art items are ripening and will be available later on.
27CARAL.
29The Orpheus Prize Competition.
31PHILADELPHIA, October 11, 1891.
33There has been a marked activity in Philadelphia musical circles during the past fortnight. What has been termed Philadelphia's awakening seems to have bred a species of contagion among our musicians, and the resultant emulation aptly illustrates the power of example. The Orpheus Club starts off with a $500 prize for "the best original composition for male voices." The conditions governing the contest are as follows:
351. The composition must be in cantata form, and written to English words, which may be sacred or secular; it must be written for a male chorus of forty, and must contain solo or concerted parts for soprano and baritone: it must have orchestral accompaniment, to which an organ part may be added if the composer wishes, a large organ being readily available; and it should occupy about forty-five minutes in performance.
362. The composition awarded the prize, and the American copyright thereof, will be the property of the club.
373. The composition must be melodious and vocal, i.e., thoroughly singable and effective when sung, and not merely technically meritorious.
384. Compositions intended for competition must be sent to the secretary of the committee not later than January 15, 1892.
395. Each manuscript must be signed by a nom de plume or motto, and must be accompanied by a sealed envelope (which will not be opened until the award is made) containing the nom de plume or motto and a return address. The unsuccessful compositions can thus be returned without the writer's name being known.
40The judges of the submitted productions are to be Mr. Michael H. Cross, the conductor of the Orpheus Club, and two representative American musicians whose names are not yet announced. Decision in the matter is to be made soon after January 15, and the successful piece of manuscript is to be sung in the Academy of Music in April of 1892. Michael H. Cross, George A. Bostwick and Edward G. McCollin constitute the committee of arrangements, and further information may be obtained from the secretary, Mr. McCollin, whose address is 514 Walnut street.
41The Music Teachers' Association of Philadelphia held their first monthly meeting in the Utopian Club last Tuesday evening. After regular business the program of the evening consisted of violin solos by Carl Mindt; an essay on piano teaching by Miss Ellen Sherwood, read by Miss Mozer, and discussed to some length by the members. An essay on the voice was read by Mr. Daniel Batchelor. Among those present were Hugh A. Clarke, Thomas A. Beckett, Charles W. Landon, Paul Henkel and Mrs. M. G. Murray. The next meeting is to be held November 2 in the rooms of the club, 1417 Locust street.
42The professors of Broad Street Conservatory of Music gave a recital last Thursday evening in the concert room of the school, which was completely filled by an appreciative audience. The program consisted of a piano and violin duo from Rubinstein's sonata, op. 13, played by M. J. Kegriese and Edwin A. Brill. Mr. Kegriese also gave the spinning song from the "Flying Dutchman" on the piano, Mr. Brill a violin solo, the Mendelssohn andante and finale from E minor concerto. Mr. Emil Gastel rendered four vocal solos, two from Schumann and one each of Shelley and Sullivan. John W. Pommer, Jr., gave the organ solo of Guilmant's grand chorus in D, which closed the entertainment.
43The 400th anniversary of the discovery of America by the Pan-American Congress will be celebrated to-night at the Academy of Music, and "Liberty Triumphant," by Chevalier de Kontski, is the name of the production for chorus and orchestra which will constitute the musical part of the entertainment.
44The United Singers of Philadelphia, who succeeded in carrying off the bronze statue of Schubert from the Newark Saengerfest last summer, have issued an appeal for money for a pedestal on which to place their prize. The amount required is about $4,000.
45St. Andrew's Choral Society held a meeting October 5, when Robert North, an English baritone, rendered a solo. At the next meeting, which is to be to-night, Miss Mary Pomeroi will be heard.
46Next week we are to have Seidl at the Grand Opera House. At the opening concert October 19 Mrs. Selma Koert-Kronold, who has been heard here all summer in grand opera, will render from "Tannhäuser."
47On the same night John Cheshire will perform on the harp a fantasia based on airs from "Martha."
48Tuesday evening Maude Powell, the violinist, will be heard in Wieniawski's "Legende" and Saint-Saëns' "Caprice."
49Wednesday evening Fursch-Madi will render "Ah, Perfido," of Beethoven, and an air from "Samson and Delilah," of Saint-Saëns. Victor Herbert will give solos on the violoncello.
50Clara Poole will be the chief attraction at Thursday night's performance, when she will sing from Gounod's "Sappho." John Cheshire will again be heard, this time with a fantasia on "Lucrezia Borgia."
51Friday night marks the appearance of Emil Fischer, the German bass, and will probably be the "star" night of the week, as Beethoven's fifth symphony will be performed.
52Julie Mueller Hartung, from the Weimar Theatre, will close the course on Saturday night, when she will be heard in "Elsa's" prayer from "Lohengrin."
53The New York Symphony Orchestra will give four subscription concerts here at the Academy of Music on the following dates: November 30, January 4, February 24, March 21. Ignace J. Paderewski is to make his Philadelphia début at the first concert.
54The Marine Band, John Phillip Sousa conductor, begins its series October 24. The second concert is to be held December 12, and the third March 19. At the opening concert Mrs. Anna Mooney-Burch, the soprano, and Mr. Herman Rahaman, violinist, will be the soloists. Mr. Sousa has in preparation a descriptive composition, after the manner of his "Chariot Race," which is to be called "Scenes Historical, or Sheridan's Ride." It is to be produced at the December concert.
56THEODORE J. WATERS.
58Music in Toronto.
60TORONTO, October 9, 1891.
62We are promised lively times in musical circles this season, and the various large societies will put forth extra efforts to attract their patrons. No official programs have been announced, except that the Philharmonic (F. H. Torrington conductor) will give the "Redemption," the Haslam Vocal Society have engaged Musin for their "star" attraction at their first concert and Mr. d'Auria is writing a cantata for performance by the Choral Society, of which he is the conductor. The brothers Alfred and Heinrich Grünfeld are to appear in concert on January 7. The Toronto Vocal Society (W. E. Buck conductor) have made no announcement, but our swell amateur opera company, the Harmony Club (E. W. Schuch conductor), is shortly to set to work on some familiar opera, the name of which I have forgotten. Nothing has been heard as to the intentions of our two orchestral organizations—the Torrington and the Symphony—but it may be assumed that both will put in an appearance. The fact of the matter, however, is that past experience has proved that Toronto is endeavoring to support too many large musical societies, and enough "dingbats" do not circulate to float them all comfortably. The most pressing question of the hour relates to a proposed large musical festival. The last took place in 1886 under Mr. Torrington's baton and was a gorgeous success. Several hundred dollars of a surplus have since remained in the treasury of the Festival Association and may prove a bone of contention. A recent meeting of the association talked of another festival in which several of the local musical directors should take part.
64There is considerable diversity of opinion as to the advisability of this idea, and it is also questionable whether the musical directors themselves could agree to comfortably co-operate in such a scheme. One dynamical suggestion has been to invite our various societies to prepare their choruses for a festival performance, and then mass the whole lot under an imported conductor, presumably Theo. Thomas or Nikisch. This suggestion comes from a man in one of our local papers. He had sufficient discretion to write over a nom de plume, and I have no doubt will lie perdu to await results. All our conductors consider themselves "eminent," and it would be too much to expect of fallen human nature that they will do the hard work of training and then allow an outsider to gather all the glory and shekels.
66On Thursday a concert was given by Mr. Frederick Boscovitz at the Toronto College of Music (F. H. Torrington director), on the piano staff of which institution that very well-known musician now is. Mr. Boscovitz's capabilities as an artist are too well known throughout America to call for special notice from my pen, so I will merely subjoin the program for the occasion, and state that the interspersed vocal numbers were excellent. The hall of the college was crowded to suffocation by a select and fashionable audience, present there by invitation. Mr. Boscovitz played on a Steinway grand piano:
68Sonata, op. 2 ………………………………………….. Beethoven
69"Harmonious Blacksmith" ……………………………. Händel
70Nocturne …………………………………………………. Chopin
71Pianola, op. 29 ………………………………………….. Chopin one of two readings
72Prelude, op. 29 ………………………………………….. Chopin one of two readings
73Barcarolle, op. 60 ……………………………………… Chopin
74Mazurka, op. 7 ………………………………………….. Chopin
75Valse ……………………………………………………. Chopin
76"Three Knights of Old" (vocal) ……………………….. Boscovitz
77Mr. E. W. Schuch ……………………………………… Montclair
78"Musette" (composed about 1690) ………………….. John Bull
79"The King's Hunting Jig" (composed about 1590) …… John Bull one of two readings
80"The King's Hunting Jig" (composed about 1590) ……. John Bull one of two readings
81(Two historical pieces edited and transcribed by F. Boscovitz, op. 167.)
82"Meadow Voices" (vocal) …………………………….. Boscovitz one of two readings
83"Meadow Voices" (vocal) ……………………………… Boscovitz one of two readings
84Noël ……………………………………………………. Mrs. De Chadenèdes
85"Clair de Lune," romance …………………………….. Adams one of two readings
86"Clair de Lune," romance ……………………………… Adams one of two readings
87Serenade …………………………………………………. Thôme
88"Étude de Concert" (vocal) …………………………… Saint-Saëns
89The Rolling Stone" (vocal) …………………………… Boscovitz
90Mr. E. W. Schuch ……………………………………… Boscovitz
91Canzonetta, op. 118 (by request) ……………………. Boscovitz
92Menuette, op. 101 (by request) ………………………. Boscovitz one of two readings
93On Tuesday evening an aggregation of local talent, comprising Mrs. C. E. Shillito, Miss Sullivan, Miss Minnie Gaylord, Mr. Harold Jarvis, Mr. E. W. Schuch and Mr. W. O. Forsyth, gave a concert which has been very favorably commented upon. I was unable to be present, but delegated a musical friend to report the proceedings. My information is somewhat bald, but I am informed that Mrs. Shillito, Mr. Jarvis and Mr. Forsyth were the principal artists. With the exception of Mr. Forsyth all the performers are familiar figures before the Toronto public. With regard to Mr. Forsyth it was unfortunate that he had to leave a sick bed to attend the concert. The evidence of this inability was noticed at the time, but after it in the evening, owing to the occasion and gave a capital interpretation of a "Serenade" by Joffsey and two original compositions, "Idyl," op. 14, No. 1, and "Even Song," op. 14, No. 2. Mr. Forsyth's playing, my informant tells me, is characterized by great refinement of touch and tone and admirable technic. As comparatively a newcomer to Toronto audiences he is to be esteemed as a valuable acquisition. one of two readings
94Menuette, op. 101 (by request) ……………………….. Boscovitz one of two readings
96On Tuesday evening an aggregation of local talent, comprising Mrs. C. E. Shillito, Miss Sullivan, Miss Minnie Gaylord, Mr. Harold Jarvis, Mr. E. W. Schuch and Mr. W. O. Forsyth, gave a concert which has been very favorably commented upon. I was unable to be present, but delegated a musical friend to report the proceedings. My information is somewhat bald, but I am informed that Mrs. Shillito, Mr. Jarvis and Mr. Forsyth were the chief attractions. With the exception of Mr. Forsyth all the performers are familiar figures before the Toronto public. With regard to Mr. Forsyth it was unfortunate that he had to leave a sick bed to attend the concert. The evidence of this inability was noticed at the time, but after it in the evening, owing to the occasion and gave a capital interpretation of a "Serenade" by Joffsey and two original compositions, "Idyl," op. 14, No. 1, and "Even Song," op. 14, No. 2. Mr. Forsyth's playing, my informant tells me, is characterized by great refinement of touch and tone and admirable technic. As comparatively a newcomer to Toronto audiences he is to be esteemed as a valuable acquisition. one of two readings
98Mr. Wilkinson, of the Auditorium, is booking a large number of excellent attractions—among others, on the 20th, 27th and 28th inst., the Merce Foote combination, comprising the sisters Mercedes, originally from Costa Rica and said to be the finest singing sisters, aged eighteen and eleven years respectively, and Mr. F. Barrington Foote, the well-known English baritone.
100SMIFF.
102Musical Items.
104Francis Wilson.—Francis Wilson, whose "Merry Monarch" at the Broadway Theatre is a most potent argument in favor of royalty, has in his court many merry courtiers, who sing and frolic nightly to the infinite amusement of large audiences.
106Seidl Season at the Garden.—Last night Anton Seidl and his Metropolitan Orchestra closed their season—a markedly successful one—at the Madison Square Garden, which establishment will now be given over to bicycle races, dog shows and boxing contests until next summer, when genial Pat Gilmore will once more wave his wand and classical music will wince.
108Gerard-Thies.—Louise Gerard and Albert Thies will resume their "evenings of song" early in December.
110Atlanta Music.—Various concerts are contemplated in Atlanta, Ga., the first one being announced for this week. It will be given by Natorp Blumenfeld, the leading violinist in that city, who will be assisted by Mrs. Cuckler Daniels, vocalist, and Mr. Henry Howell, pianist.
112Mrs. M. B. Richards Married.—Mrs. Minnie B. Richards, the pianist, was married last Saturday to Dr. Theodore E. Heidenfeld.
114Miss Lincoln.—Miss Elsie Lincoln, a well-known Denver soprano, sailed to-day for Paris, where she expects to study with Lagrange.
116Dramatic Soprano.—A young dramatic soprano, powerful voice, good musician, can get a permanent church position. Send details to "Soprano," care of THE MUSICAL COURIER.
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