Scan 14
Musical Courier 1892-05-11: Vol 24 Iss 638, 1892
214 lines. Read by computer on 22 September 2026, twice; the two readings disagreed in places. Printed page 15. See the scan on archive.org.
1tens, a new comer, proved to be the possessor of an excellent baritone and sang "Wolfram" in good style. The remainder of the cast were hardly above the average.
3Ponchielli's "La Gioconda," on Wednesday evening, had the following cast:
4Barnaby ………………………………………….. Del Puente
5Laura …………………………………………………. Clara Poole
6Enzo …………………………………………………. Guille
7La Cleca ……………………………………………. Synnerberg
8La Gioconda ……………………………………… Kronold
9Aloise …………………………………………………. Clarke
11At the matinée "Faust" was given, with Adelaide Randall as "Marguerite," Payne Clarke as "Faust" and W. H. Clarke as "Mephistopheles."
13For next week are announced Mascagni's "Cavalleria Rusticana" with the original American cast, which with Offenbach's "Mariage aux Lanternes" will constitute a double bill; "Tannhäuser," "Faust" and—must we confess it?—"The Bohemian Girl."
15Carl Gerner's farewell concert took place on Monday evening last, and was in the nature of a most flattering reception to the veteran musician.
17A very large attendance marked the concert in aid of the Russian famine sufferers at the Academy of Music on Monday evening.
19The local singing societies, an orchestra of fifty under the baton of William Wolsieffer, and many soloists of prominence lent their aid to this most worthy object.
21At the last concert of the Mendelssohn Club at Musical Fund Hall the soloists were Victor Herbert and Miss Olive Fremstad.
23The chorus, under the direction of W. W. Gilchrist, did excellent work.
25Philadelphia from all appearances is fated to be inundated with comic opera companies during the coming summer. At least three of the local playhouses will be kept open with comic as the attraction. A. H.
27Buffalo Budget.
28BUFFALO, May 1, 1892.
30THAT Mr. Joseph Mischka wasn't the maddest man in Buffalo when he stood before his "Liedertafel" on the occasion of the last concert was a marvel. All sorts of trials had been his; the orchestra men could not rehearse, the Aeolians had to leave and the accompanist had a regular professional engagement to attend before the last rehearsal was half over. However Mr. Mischka's invariable good nature never deserted him, and this it is which explains to a great extent his personal popularity.
32That the following program went smoothly, in spite of annoyance of all sorts, speaks well for previous preparations. Miss Kaschoska sang with style, but she was "too flirtatious," said my young lady:
34Men's chorus, "Forest Harps" ……………………………………. Edwin Schultz
35Liedertafel and orchestra, with tenor solo by Mr. C. V. Slocum.
36Aria from "Tannhäuser" — one of two readings
37Aria from "Tannhäuser"— one of two readings
38"Oh, hall of song, I give thee greeting" ……………….. Wagner
39Miss Felicita Kaschoska, of the Metropolitan Opera Company, of New York.
40Mixed chorus, "Moonlight" ……………………………………… Fanning
41Liedertafel.
43Quartet—
44"O, wert thou in the cauld blast" …………………………… Kuecken
45Serenade ……………………………………………. Dudley Buck
46Aeolian Quartet—Messrs. H. K. Pitcher, first tenor; C. V. Slocum, second tenor; W. W. Griswold, first basso; W. S. Kerr, second basso.
48Women's chorus—
49"Good Night" ………………………………………….. Henry Leslie
50Solo parts by Miss Anna Wagner and Miss Caroline Eckert.
51"Rise again, glad summer's sun" …………………………… Leslie
52Solo parts by Mrs. S. M. Jones, Miss Caroline Eckert and Mrs. R. H. Heussler.
53Men's chorus, "The Folk Song" …………………………… Kremser
54Liedertafel.
55String quartet, "Dream after the ball" …………………….. Czibulka
56String orchestra.
57Men's chorus, "Why murmur the waters" ………………… Abt
58Solo quartet by the Aeolian Quartet.
59Elegie …………………………………………………. Massenet
60Cavatina from "Huguenots," "Noble señora, I salute ye" …. Meyerbeer
61Miss Felicita Kaschoska.
62Mixed chorus, "The Vikings" ………………………………. Fanning
63Liedertafel and orchestra—Joseph Mischka, director; F. W. Riesberg, accompanist.
65The "Orpheus," under Mr. Lund's efficient leadership, gave their crowning concert of the season before the invariably large audience which greets them.
67Herbert got a rousing encore and Pevny pleased, though she sang distractingly sharp in Taubert's song. I venture to suggest to Accompanist Wagner that his pianissimo accompaniments are too very subdued for the large hall. Much of the time the harmonies were entirely lost in that vast space. Program:
68"Waldmeister's Brautfahrt" (May Advent) (new) ………… Brambach
69Male chorus.
70Fantasia …………………………………………….. Servais-Schubert
71Victor Herbert.
72"Hell in's Fenster" (Sunshine) (new) …………………….. Kremser
73"Kein Sorg um den Weg" (new) …………………………. Baldamus
74Male chorus a capella.
75Aria from "Tannhäuser" ………………………………… Wagner
76Miss Irene Pevny.
77"Liebesweben" ……………………………………… King one of two readings
78"Liebesweben" ………………………………………….. King one of two readings
79String orchestra.
80Legend ………………………………………………. Herbert one of two readings
81Legend …………………………………………………. Herbert one of two readings
82Victor Herbert.
83"Bunte Blumen" ("May Song"), from fifteenth century (new) … Juengst
84Serenade (new) ……………………………………… Lund one of two readings
85Serenade (new) ………………………………………… Lund one of two readings
86Male chorus a capella.
87Songs ………………………………………………. Taubert and Schumann one of two readings
88Songs …………………………………………………. Taubert and Schumann one of two readings
89Miss Pevny.
90Tarantelle …………………………………………… Cassmann one of two readings
91Tarantelle …………………………………………….. Cassmann one of two readings
92Victor Herbert.
93"Aus der Bauernstube" (Valse Ideal) (new) ……………. Koschat
94Male chorus.
96One more and I am done. This was the Vocal Society's program, with Miss Geraldine Morgan and Mr. de Pachmann soloists:
97Part songs—
98"Hail Golden Morn" ……………………………………. E. A. Sydenham one of two readings
99"Hail Golden Morn" ……………………………………… E. A. Sydenham one of two readings
100"The Rainbow" ……………………………………… Berthold Tours one of two readings
101"The Rainbow" ………………………………………… Berthold Tours one of two readings
102Tenor solo, aria, "Ah! tiz cheuz seno agli angeli," from "La Forza del Destino" ……………………………………… Verdi one of two readings
103Tenor solo, aria, "Ah! tiz cheuz seno agli angeli," from "La Forza del Destino" ………………………………………….. Verdi one of two readings
104Mr. Edward C. Towne.
105Part song, "To Mary in Heaven" ……………………….. George J. Bennett one of two readings
106Part song, "To Mary in Heaven" …………………………. George J. Bennett one of two readings
108Violin solo—
109Legende …………………………………………….. Wieniawski one of two readings
110Legende …………………………………………………. Wieniawski one of two readings
111Polonaise ……………………………………………. Wieniawski one of two readings
112Polonaise …………………………………………….. Wieniawski one of two readings
114Trios for female voices—
115"Ave Maria" ………………………………………….. Marbetti
116"The Swallow" ……………………………………… Henry Leslie
117Trio by Mrs. J. H. Otterstatter, Miss Louise Masse and Miss Charlotte Tilden.
119Piano solo—
120Scherzo, op. 31 ……………………………………… Chopin one of two readings
121Scherzo, op. 31 ………………………………………… one of two readings
122Nocturne, op. 55, No. 1 ………………………………. Chopin one of two readings
123Nocturne, op. 55, No. 1 ……………………………… Chopin one of two readings
124Three etudes, op. 25 ………………………………… Chopin one of two readings
125Three etudes, op. 25 ……………………………………. Chopin one of two readings
126Nos. 3 and 6. (By request) …………………………. Chopin one of two readings
127Nos. 3 and 6. (By request) …………………………… Chopin one of two readings
128Waltz, op. 42 ………………………………………… De Pachmann. one of two readings
129Waltz, op. 42 ………………………………………….. De Pachmann. one of two readings
131Part songs—
132"The Rose in October" * ……………………………… Sir William Robinson one of two readings
133"The Rose in October" ………………………………… Sir William Robinson one of two readings
134"Woe's Me, Woe's Me" ………………………………. Riesberg one of two readings
135"Woe's Me, Woe's Me" ……………………………….. Riesberg one of two readings
136"The Caravan" ……………………………………… Ciro Pinsuti one of two readings
137"The Caravan" ………………………………………… Ciro Pinsuti one of two readings
138(*Composed in the style of the seventeenth century, after an air by Clarence Lucas, and dedicated to the Vocal Society by F. W. Riesberg.)
139Trio by Mrs. S. M. Jones, Mrs. W. E. Howard, Miss Lavinia Hawley and Mr. Charlton Bidwell.
141Violin solo, "Hungarian Dances" ……………………….. Brahms-Joachim
142Piano solo—
143Rondo Capriccioso ………………………………….. Mendelssohn one of two readings
144Rondo Capriccioso ……………………………………… Mendelssohn one of two readings
145Harmonies du Soir (étude d'exécution transcendante) ……… Liszt
146Etude de Concert, No. 2 ……………………………… Liszt one of two readings
147Etude de Concert, No. 2 ………………………………. Liszt one of two readings
148Mazurka Brillante ……………………………………. De Pachmann. one of two readings
149Mazurka Brillante ……………………………………… De Pachmann. one of two readings
150An Idyl, "Narcissus" ………………………………… Massenet one of two readings
151An Idyl, "Narcissus" ………………………………….. Massenet one of two readings
152"Narcissus," Mr. E. C. Towne. A nymph, Miss Lavinia Hawley.
153Chorus of nymphs and shepherds.
154Mr. W. S. Jarrett and Mr. F. W. Riesberg, accompanists.
155Mr. Mischka is conductor of this, our leading mixed chorus, the material of which is largely made up of church and solo singers. United they do some fine work and on this occasion everything was lovely. The choruses were superb in every sense, and I want to acknowledge a most intelligent and worthy performance of the number to which my name is attached. The "Narcissus" came at an hour when it was at a disadvantage, nevertheless it commanded attention.
157Miss Morgan, the "Geraldine" of the old days in Leipzig-Berlin, achieved a pleasing success, and those Buffalo women who have been interested in her education may well be proud of their protégé. Of Pachmann nothing new can be said—he was Pachmann.
159The Canisius College concert was enjoyable and well attended. Father Bonvin, the musical prefect, has an orchestra of thirty odd, who do good work.
161Mr. E. Wesley Pyne is to be the new organist of St. Paul's, in place of Gilbert. F. W. RIESBERG
163Toronto Letter.
164APRIL 30, 1892.
166Editors Musical Courier:
168IN a mild and humble way I have for some time been endeavoring to direct attention to the unsatisfactory condition of musical matters in this city, and I am glad to find that the facts which I asserted, but which for a long time nobody else did, have at last found voice at the hands of others.
170There have lately been some royal pitched battles in our local papers, with THE MUSICAL COURIER as a legitimate culminating point. I am not going to volunteer to assume the ungrateful position of umpire between your correspondents Mr. Torrington and "Progress." But it seems to me that in the letters of these gentlemen one of the main points has been lost sight of. That is, that musical effort in Toronto is hindered in a great measure because it is too diffusive, not sufficiently concentrated. We have too many societies by half in proportion to the people who support music. The consequence is that the Philharmonic and the Choral societies especially have been greatly hampered in their work. When an exceptionally efficient orchestra, for instance, is required for a concert by either of these societies the funds are not available with which to engage it, and the executive have to do the best they can with the means at their command. Result, poor orchestral work. Who is to blame in such a matter? Surely not the conductor, but the public who are so blind to their own interests that they do not see that concentration of support, in a small place like this, is their only hope by which to secure musical entertainments of really high artistic merit. If they would only concentrate and the results were still unsatisfactory the patrons of music would have reason for kicking out the incapable conductor and substituting a man who understands his business.
172If the public will only take the matter in hand, cut to the root, and refuse to support every new Tom, Dick and Harry who comes to town and wants to start a musical society, they will quickly bring about a better order of things.
174In this matter it must be understood that I am not even inferentially calling in question the ability of any one of our local conductors. They may be all right and it is perfectly legitimate on their part that they should want societies, but the public of Toronto need to be told plainly why music is in its present unsatisfactory condition in this city.
176Pavilion Music Hall, on Thursday evening, April 28, held a packed audience in attendance at the second concert for this season of the Toronto Vocal Society. I would like to give this concert a good, long notice, but I can't, because of the two seats allotted me. I hold one directly behind a great, big pillar and under the gallery. I could neither see nor hear properly. The consequence was that most of my time was employed in reading over the book of words and its very attractively displayed advertisements. About these advertisements—oh, but this won't do! I should talk about the concert. Well, as intimated before, I don't know anything about the concert, except that next day's papers, in reviewing the event, were crowded with complimentary adjectives, so I suppose it was a success. I'm very glad of that, as the Vocal Society and their conductor, Mr. Buck, are nice people and the matter of the very bad seats was accidental.
178SNIFF. one of two readings
179(no line here) one of two readings
181His Verses Set to Music.—Mr. William Henry Gardner, of Winthrop, Mass., the song text writer, has lately had the honor of having some of his verses set by two London composers, viz., Sebastian B. Schlesinger and Faustina Hasse Hodges, both of whom are well known in this country. Dr. Geo. F. Root has also set two of his song poems, reminiscent of the war times.
183The Music Club Ticket.—This is the regular ticket proposed by the nominating committee of the Music Club for election during the latter part of the present month: For president, Anton Seidl; corresponding secretary, J. F. von der Heide; treasurer, H. Wallerstein; governors, Robert G. Ingersoll, Bernardus Boekelman, John A. Kamping, Jesse Williams.
185Musical Items.
186Dr. Haas and Paderewski.—Paderewski has presented Dr. H. H. Haas, of Virginia (the author of an article on his compositions which appeared in this paper), with a very handsome large sized panel portrait of his, made by the London Stereoscopic and Photographic Company, and bearing an autograph inscription which indicates the lovely congenial nature of this great artist and ends with the words: "In dankbarer Erinnerung." (With kind regards.)
188The article which appeared in these columns on Mascagni's "Cavalleria Rusticana," signed H. H. H., was written by Dr. Haas and not by Mr. Henry Holden Huss, as some inquirers suppose.
190"Wang" Once More.—"Wang" cropped up once more last Monday night at the Broadway Theatre, uglier, funnier and more nonsensical than ever. De Wolf Hopper acted and sang with his old time gusto and color. He sings better than ever and has added several new and thrilling words to his repertory. The bibulous elephant was on hand, or rather feet, and sipped beer in the same key as the orchestra. Della Fox looked like a Mendelssohn scherzo in white flannel, the children sang "Baby," and the Cambodians sneaked in to the same old Leitmotiv. "Wang" is a gem of idiocies strung out far into the night and the wedding music is a triumph of cacophony, hideous in its effects. The girls are pretty, the story morally innocuous and De Wolf Hopper's legs as weird as a tornado in church.
192New York Artists Praised.—St. Joseph's Cathedral at Hartford, Conn., was consecrated with magnificent and imposing ceremonies last Sunday. About the musical portion of the dedication the Hartford "Telegram" has this to say: "The musical part of the program was probably the finest event of the kind ever given in Hartford. The organist was Prof. Bruno Oscar Klein, of St. Francis Xavier's Church of New York, and he proved himself to be a perfect master. The solo work was also by a New York quartet, consisting of Mrs. Annie Burch, soprano; Mrs. Mary Littel, contralto; Albert Littel, tenor and Max Treumann, bass. Mrs. Burch has a very pleasing voice which she handles with considerable taste. Mr. Treumann was by far the best soloist of the quartet, his solo, the 'Qui tollis,' being magnificently rendered."
194The Young People's Union Benefit Concert.—A concert was given in aid of the Central Methodist Episcopal Church last Monday evening in the church, on Seventh avenue, near Fourteenth street. Miss Ida Letson played the "Rondo Brilliant," by Weber, for piano, in a telling manner, and displayed considerable endurance in playing the accompaniments to over twenty selections. Miss Hat-tie Diamant gave her songs with much taste, and Misses Bessie Letson and Davey also deserve much credit. The other participants were Miss Cecelia E. Way, mezzo soprano; Miss Daisy Phyfe, reader; Geo. W. Morgan, Jr., baritone; Geo. Holden, tenor; E. E. Quinlan, organ, and A. Spiegel, zither. The house was crowded and the concert netted a considerable sum.
196Miss Castle to Go to Europe.—Miss Florence Castle, of Chicago, a talented young pianist of that city and a pupil of the American Conservatory, J. J. Hattstaedt director, recently had tendered to her a benefit concert at Central Music Hall, Chicago, in which Mr. George Ellsworth Holmes, baritone; Mrs. Proctor Smith, soprano, and Mr. Max Bendix, violinist, gave their valuable assistance. The affair was a complete success, artistically and financially. Miss Castle played a Liszt rhapsody and some minor compositions and will go to Europe for a two years' course under Leschetizky.
198Miss Groebli's Return.—The friends of Miss Marie Groebli will be pleased to learn of her return to New York. She has been abroad more than two years, the greater part of which was spent in London, where she sang in Sullivan's "Ivanhoe." She has just finished a tournée on the Continent, and intends to rest over the summer at her cottage at Bayville, L. I.
200WANTED—A position as musical director at a college or head of piano department, or teacher of advanced pupils at a conservatory; fifteen years of experience and continual success. "South," care of MUSICAL COURIER.
202A Communication.
203TOPEKA, Kan., May 3, 1892.
205Being a subscriber of your most valuable paper you will kindly allow me a word with regard to choir singing without a conductor.
207In your issue of April 27 you mention a Brooklyn choir's intention of giving "The Holy City" under the direction of the organist, Professor Schmidt, "without a conductor." May I be permitted to say that Sunday evening, April 17, I gave the same work, with the exception of the double chorus, at the First Presbyterian Church here, where I have the pleasure of being organist and director, under the same circumstances, with the exception of the harp accompaniment.
209We rehearsed it but little over three weeks and all went smoothly from beginning to end.
211I confess I was highly gratified with the work of my chorus of twenty-five voices, singing beautifully good throughout. Their "attacks" were excellent and they sang from beginning to end with precision and earnestness which is often lacking where a work of this order is attempted.
213Inclosed is an account clipped from the "Daily Capital," our principal paper. Yours, H. S. Wilder.
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