Scan 14
Musical Courier 1892-04-20: Vol 24 Iss 635, 1892
147 lines. Read by computer on 23 September 2026, twice; the two readings disagreed in places. Printed page 15. See the scan on archive.org.
1Paris Musical Items.
2Paris, April 4, 1892.
3The musical event of the past week was the performance of Berlioz's "Damnation of Faust," given at the Chatelet Theatre by the Colonne Orchestra, assisted by a small chorus of 100 and with Miss Marcella Pregi, Messrs. Engel, Dufriche and Ballard as the solo artists. The performance was a superb one, the orchestral and vocal effects a perfect revelation. Miss Pregi, although her voice is not remarkable (her upper notes being a little thin), invested the rôle of "Marguerite" with a great deal of charm, and after her aria, "The King of Thule," succeeded in raising the audience to a high pitch of enthusiasm. Mr. Engel, the tenor, carried away the honors, however, and his rendition of the recitative and aria, "The Invocation to Nature," was a splendid piece of work. He has such a vigorous style, fine phrasing and is by far the best tenor in Paris, especially in this line of work. The other artists ably sustained their rôles.
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6The chorus, although small in numbers, made some wonderful effects. One thing I have noticed, the female choristers at all the concerts which I have attended in Paris are all dressed in black, which is a decided improvement on the incongruous style of dressing of our lady choristers in America. The effect is much more pleasant and less distracting to an audience and should be adopted at home. The numbers most enjoyed were the "Rakoczy March," the chorus of gnomes and sylphs, the soldiers' and students' choruses, the ride to hell and the pandemonium scene. The concert is to be repeated next Sunday, as thousands were unable to gain admission to the hall.
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9A Wagner memorial concert is to be given at the Salle Dinan Ruel in the Rue le Pelletier this week by the Lamoureux Orchestra, under the auspices of the Society of the Order of the Cross. The program consists, among other numbers, of the "Venusberg" scene from "Tannhäuser," spinning chorus from "Flying Dutchman," the "Siegfried Idyl," and selections from "Parsifal," sung by Mr. Engel. Melba has appeared in "Romeo and Juliette" at the Grand Opera, and Mrs. Calvi has also reappeared at the Opéra Comique in the "Cavalleria Rusticana." The "Noces de Figaro," with Miss Isaac, is still drawing large audiences; also "Manon," with Sybil Sanderson in the title rôle.
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12Bertrand, director of the Grand Opera, has requested Bergerat and Camille de St. Croix to write the libretto for a new grand opera entitled "Madame Roland," the music by Paul Vidal. A new opera, "Sardanapalus," by Alphonse Duvernay, was produced at Liège and made a wonderful success. The new opera "Enguerrande" is being rehearsed at the Grand Opera and is to be given about the middle of April. Marie Roze is here in Paris, putting the finishing touches to the libretto for a grand opera based on an Italian story by Lamartine, the music by Henry J. Wood, which will be done by the Carl Rosa Company in London.
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15I saw Col. Henry Mapleson, just returned from the Riviera, and he is looking well and hearty, notwithstanding the reports in America that he had been afflicted with a stroke of paralysis. At the evening service last Sunday at St. George's Church, in the Rue Belloi, the solo at the offertory was sung by Miss Demeric Lablache, daughter of the great basso, Lablache. She sang the "Fac ut portem," of Rossini, and showed a fine voice and great artistic excellence.
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18"Tannhäuser" was produced at the Grand Theatre, Lyons, last night. The opera was produced in Paris, March, 1861, for the first time, when it was given three times, but on account of the opposition it was obliged to be withdrawn and until last night has never been heard since in France. The opera was splendidly received, and it is to be hoped that it will be added to the répertoire at the Grand Opéra, where "Lohengrin" has lived down opposition and developed into one of the most successful numbers in the répertoire at that house.
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21Mrs. Judge Barrett's last Friday afternoon "at home" in the Avenue Trocadero was honored by the presence of Miss Louise Nikita, who is about leaving Paris for an operatic engagement at Kroll's Opera House in Berlin, appearing at that house in "Lakmé." She told me that she expects to be married very soon to a Russian grand duke, and has just ordered her trousseau in Paris for that event. There was some good music, especially the singing of Mrs. Regina Atwater, a pupil of Lagrange, and also by Mrs. Albertina and others.
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24On the same afternoon we attended Mr. Holman Black's last "at home" prior to his departure for London, where he will sing during the spring season. At Mr. Black's studio one always hears the best music, and all the best artists are met there; he has a large circle of acquaintances and is a very popular artist in society. Everyone has enjoyed his pleasant receptions and he will be greatly missed on his departure from Paris.
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27Mrs. Dr. Daboll in the Avenue de l'Opéra gave a musicale and reception complimentary to Mrs. Waldo Richards, the American recitationist, who delighted the large and fashionable audience present with a number of recitations, showing a great amount of versatility and refinement in her selections. Mrs. Brasor Pratt, the popular contralto, also sang with her usual great success; especially fine was her rendition of Bembe's "Chant d'Hindou."
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30Dr. Rikerth, tenor, a pupil of Tropadelio, also sang, and Miss Minna Cleary, who showed the proofs of her three years' study with Sbriglia. Among the guests present were Mr. Albertina and wife, Mr. J. H. Haynie, Mrs. Barrett, Mrs. Howells, Miss Blanche Taylor, Mrs. Hutchinson and others.
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33W. E. TAYLOR.
35The Douglas-O'Connell Concert.
36Miss Kate Percy Douglas and Miss Julia O'Connell gave a vocal recital in Behr Brothers Hall last Monday evening, assisted by Miss Florence L. Heine, violinist, before a crowded house, this being the program:
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39Duets: "Cleansing Fires" … Cowen
40"Violets" … Cowen
41Miss Douglas and Miss O'Connell.
42Hindoo Song … Bemberg
43"Happy Days" … Strelezki
44(Violin Obligato.) one of two readings
45Miss Douglas. one of two readings
46(Violin Obligato.) Miss Douglas. one of two readings
47Violin solo … Tchaikowsky
48"Elfentanz" … Popper
49Miss Heine.
50Aria, "Empio diro tu sei" … Händel
51Canzonet, "She never told her love" … Haydn
52Miss O'Connell.
53"Thou Knowest Not" … Harry Rowe Shelley
54"Chansonette" … Mary Knight Wood
55"Don't Cry" … Miss Douglas.
56Violin solo, Bolero … Moszkowski
57Miss Heine.
58"Tender and True" … Sumner Salter
59"A Night Song" … Victor Harris
60Persian Song … Rubinstein
61Miss O'Connell.
62Duets: "A Streamlet Full of Flowers" … Caracciolo
63"Happy Are the Blind" … Miss Douglas and Miss O'Connell.
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66Miss Douglas' songs gave much pleasure and she was warmly greeted. Miss O'Connell has a deep contralto of good compass and sings with considerable feeling and taste. A number of the selections were heard at the recent concert of the Manuscript Society.
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69Miss Heine gave her solos in her usual finished manner and the accompaniments were well played by her sister, Miss Marie Heine.
71Mr. Dossert's Concert.
72Mr. Frank G. Dossert's "Messe Solennelle" was given its first public hearing at the orchestral concert given by the composer in the concert hall of Madison Square Garden last Monday evening, the following being the program in full:
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75Overture, "Egmont" … Beethoven
76"Messe Solennelle" … Dossert
77(First public production.)
78"Kyrie Eleison."
79"Gloria in Excelsis."
80"Credo."
81"Sanctus."
82"Benedictus."
83"Agnus Dei."
84"Chimes" … Dossert one of two readings
85Chimes … Dossert one of two readings
86"Faded" … Prock
87"Spring Song" … Weidt
88Mrs. Carl Alves.
89Violin concerto … Mendelssohn
90Miss Maud Powell.
91"Two Grenadiers" … Schumann
92Mr. John J. Dossert.
93Slavonic Dance, op. 46, No. 1 … Dvorák
94Orchestra.
95Air, "Herodiade" … Massenet
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97Miss Deane Creamer. one of two readings
98"Hallelujah Chorus" … Händel
99The mass, a serious, well written work, was given by a chorus of 100 mixed voices from the choir of St. Stephen's Church, and was sung with fine effect, the well trained voices coming out full and strong and the chorus being heard to particular advantage in the "Hallelujah" chorus. The orchestra was well under the control of Mr. Dossert. Miss Powell gave the concerto in a most charming and artistic manner. one of two readings
100The mass, a serious, well written work, was given by a chorus of 100 mixed voices from the choir of St. Stephen's Church, and was sung with fine effect, the well trained voices coming out full and strong and the chorus being heard to particular advantage in the "Hallelujah" chorus. one of two readings
101The orchestra was well under the control of Mr. Dossert. Miss Powell gave the concerto in a most charming and artistic manner. one of two readings
102Mrs. Alves and Miss Creamer also made decided hits. The boxes were filled and a large part of the floor was occupied.
104The Child of Fortune.
105"The Child of Fortune," an English adaptation of Milloecker's "Das Sonntagskind," was produced at the Casino last Monday night for the first time in this country. As a sustained effort it is not on a par with the same composer's "Poor Jonathan," as it lacks local color, and the interest often flags because of the wordiness of the libretto. But the operetta has many telling moments; the music is bright, though often reminiscent of Milloecker himself, and of course it has the strong Viennese "tang" which Conductor Kerker knows how to emphasize so well. Lily Post, a trifle passé, Jeff de Angelis, funny but subdued, Harry McDonough, versatile, clever and the hit of the evening, as a rich Hebrew banker, Annie Myers, plump and vivacious, Jennie Reifforth, Pruette, with his resonant manly baritone, Charlie Bassett as sweet and as dramatic as of yore, and pretty Mabel Potter all contributed to making the affair a success. Musically the work is decidedly above anything the Casino Company has yet attempted.
107The Music Club Concert and Reception.
108The handsome assembly rooms of the Metropolitan Opera House were filled last Monday evening with the members of the Music Club and their friends, the occasion being the second concert and reception of this organization, the following program being most satisfactorily given:
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111Octet, op. 8 … J. S. Svendsen
112Allegro. Molto allegro scherzoso.
113Richard Arnold, violin. Emil Gramm, viola.
114Sebastian Laendner, violin. Franz Kaltenborn, viola.
115Ernest Thiele, violin. Victor Herbert, violoncello.
116Henry Schmitt, violin. F. Nagel, violoncello.
117Aria, "Johann von Paris" … Boieldieu
118Mr. Emil Fischer.
119Songs—
120"Die Nachtigall" … Alabieff
121"Rast" … Goldmark
122"Vergebliches Ständchen" … Brahms one of two readings
123"Vergeiches Ständchen" … Brahms one of two readings
124Miss Irene Pevny.
125Octet, op. 3 … J. S. Svendsen
126Andante sostenuto. Allegro con fuoco.
127At the conclusion of the concert an excellent supper was served, after which a program of twelve numbers was furnished for dancing.
128The affair was a brilliant success and reflects much credit on the club. Mr. Nuñez took Mr. Scharwenka's place on the program.
130For Music and Musicians.
131The new home of the Mendelssohn Glee Club in West Fortieth street, between Broadway and Sixth avenue, has been roofed over and the club members are looking forward to the time when they may take formal possession. That event it is proposed to make a notable one, not only in the history of the club, but in all the club house history of the city.
132Owing to delays in the completion of some of the contracts, the building will not be finished until late in September or the first of October. The new house will have many artistic features. The comforts of a club house and the requirements of a music hall will be combined in its arrangements.
133Mr. Alfred Corning Clark, for many years a member of the club, surprised the club about a year ago by announcing that he proposed to erect such a building and allow the club to use the structure for a merely nominal fee. The club members accepted the proposition at once.
134The building has a front of Roman brick with brownstone trimmings. It occupies nearly the whole of a lot having a frontage of 80 feet and a depth of 100 feet. It is five stories high, but, owing to the great height of some of the rooms, it appears to be six stories and a half high. The style of architecture is the classic Renaissance, and the front has rows of Ionic columns and cornices to correspond. The windows are topped with solid arches, yet to be carved.
135Within the building the principal room will be a music hall, which it is proposed to finish with little regard to expense.
136The hall will have a seating capacity of 1,100, and its acoustic properties will receive special attention in its construction.
137In the front of the building, on the lower floor, will be several rooms fitted up as a club house, and over these will be the gallery of the music hall. In the rear of the hall will be placed one of the largest pipe organs, which will occupy nearly the entire side of the stage.
138The auditorium will be finished in white and gold, in the Empire style, following the elaborate figuring and ornamentation suggested by Napoleon I.
139Workmen have already begun the task of exterior ornamentation, and there are elaborate tracings even now chiseled in the stones that form the central piece of the front decoration. The cornices will be chiseled with Greek details. Along the entire front there now appears a series of rough pieces of brownstone, circular in shape, on each of which will be carved the head of one of the great musical composers.
140The central one will be larger than the others, and will bear the head of Mendelssohn, and about this will be chiseled vines. Over the eastern entrance to the building is now a large stone block, which will bear the celebrated replica, "The Choir Boys."
141The rooms which will be devoted to the purposes of a club house will have decorations suggestive of the musician's art.
142The cost of the building will be about $300,000—"Times."
144Seidl at the Madison Square Garden.—Anton Seidl and his orchestra give a month's concerts at the Madison Square Garden, beginning September 5 next.
146Death of Ciampi.—The somewhat sudden death at Malta is announced in the foreign papers of Mr. Giuseppe Ciampi, the well-known buffo. Mr. Ciampi originally made his début at Trieste about 1853, but for many years he has resided in England, and for a quarter of a century he played the parts of the buffo in the representations at the Royal Italian Opera. He also accompanied Mr. Mapleson to the United States, and last autumn he was a member of Mr. Lago's London troupe. An action in which he was plaintiff and the London "Daily Telegraph" defendant was fought only a few months ago. Mr. Ciampi's best part was "Lord Allcash" in "Fra Diavolo."
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