Scan 17
Musical Courier 1892-05-25: Vol 24 Iss 640, 1892
143 lines. Read by computer on 19 September 2026, twice; the two readings disagreed in places. Printed page 18. See the scan on archive.org.
1the following well-known artists took part: Escalais, Richard and Reichenberg, and Messrs. Escalais, Soula-croix, Dubois, Mounet Sully, Coquelin and the band of the Garde Républicaine. Eugene Ysaye, the Belgian violinist, gives the first of a series of concerts at the Salle Pleyel-Wolff this week assisted, by Messrs. Crickboom, Van Hout and Jacob, at which works of the following composers will be interpreted: Castellon, Chausson, d'Indy, Gabriel Marie, Cesar Franck.
3The Musical Dramatic Exhibition in Vienna was opened by the Emperor May 7, and among the performances to be given the following Parisian companies are promised: The Théâtre Française Company from May 24 to 30; Miss Rejane, June 8 to 18, in a répertoire consisting of "Ma Cousine," "Amoureuse," "La Cigale;" Miss Jeanne Granier in "La Fille de Mme. Angot," for two weeks in August, under the direction of Victor König; August 19, the Sonzogno Italian Opera Company, from La Scala, Milan, giving the "L'Ami Fritz" and "Cavalleria Rusticana," by Mascagni, conducted by the young composer.
5Guiraud, the composer, died quite suddenly this last week after a short illness.
7At the Grand Opera Mr. Lassalle has reappeared in "L'Africaine," and the rehearsals of "Salammbô" are going on. The first performances are announced for next week. At the Opera Comique "Enguerrande" has been postponed until the present week. Three performances are announced for Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Miss Arnoldson makes her first appearance in "Carmen" also. At the Bouffes Parisien Theatre "Eros" has been replaced by the old favorite operette, "Miss Helyett," with all the old favorites, Miss Bianca Duhmael and Mr. Piccalugua. one of two readings
8At the Grand Opera Mr. Lassalle has reappeared in "L'Africaine," and the rehearsals of "Salambo" are going on. The first performances are announced for next week. At the Opera Comique "Enguerrande" has been postponed until the present week. Three performances are announced for Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Miss Arnoldson makes her first appearance in "Carmen" also. At the Bouffes Parisien Theatre "Eros" has been replaced by the old favorite operette, "Miss Helyett," with all the old favorites, Miss Bianca Duhmael and Mr. Piccalugua. one of two readings
10At the Folies Dramatiques the new vaudeville operette "Twenty-eight Days of Clairette," music by Victor Roger, proved to be only a "succès d'estime." It is called in Paris a "pièce de quartier," that is to say, written for a certain class of the people, and that not of the highest. The story is about soldiers and barrack life, and is made interesting only by the charming naïveté of Miss Ugalde, who plays the heroine "Mme. Vivarel;" the whole weight of the piece rests on her shoulders, and she invests the part with amazing sprightliness and "go." Gujon fils is very comical. The music is far from good, being of the "café chantant" order. Several swell musicals were given the past week. Mrs. J. C. Ayers entertained her friends with the first of a series of three to be given at her magnificent hotel in the Rue Constantin, on Wednesday evening last, at which Melba, Plancon, Bemberg and Hollman, 'cellist, took part. A crowd of fashionables from the French and American colony were present, and included Duc and Duchesse Pomar, Miss Fanny Reed, Marchioness of Anglesey, Lord and Lady Dufferin, Lady de Grey, Frank Holman, Countess Coetlegon.
12Mrs. Campbell Clarke gave a brilliant matinée at her residence in the Champs Elysées, at which the following artists assisted: Mr. Van Arnhem, Miss Teriane. Mr. Isidore de Lara sang several selections from his new opera "The Light of Asia," to be produced in London this spring. Hollman and Wolff also contributed numbers, assisted at the piano by Godard and Ch. Widor.
14At Mrs. Walden Pell's on Friday evening a large crowd stopped on their way from the vernissage in the Champs de Mars, and were entertained by fine music rendered by Miss Marshall, soprano; Miss Bressler, a young artist thirteen years of age, and Miss Chardon, pianist. Miss Hyde, a cousin of Emma Eames, also sang. Many fashionable people were present, including Julian Story and wife, Emma Eames; Mrs. Luckmeyer, Mrs. John Munroe, Christine Nilsson (who has promised to sing next Friday), Miss Ayer and Miss Lee Robbins, the American artist; Countess Nishech and Baronne de Klenck.
16Harris Phelps has issued cards for a soirée musicale and dansante on the 11th.
18Through the courtesy of Clement Loret, the organist at St. Louis d'Antis Church in the Rue Mathurins, I enjoyed a wedding service from the organ gallery. He rendered his new wedding march and the "Scherzo Fanfan" dedicated to Guilmant, and also there were vocal selections rendered by Delmas, basso from the Grand Opera, and Monherat, tenor of the Opera Comique. The selection included "Ecce Panis Angelicus" by César Frank; "Les Deux Abrahams," Ch. Widor, and a 'cello solo, a serenade by Goltermann. Marchesi gives two concerts in her hotel May 28 and 29; at the first concerted numbers by members of her school, at the second an operatic concert comprising scores from operas in costume. A stage will be constructed in her music salon and only the press and a few intimate friends to be invited, to be assisted by professional artists from the Opera. The final concert will be held in the Salle Erard about June 25.
20Will Taylor.
22The Mozart Symphony Club.—The Mozart Symphony Club had much success at the Kingston Festival last week. The violin solos of John F. Rhodes and the solos on the viola d'amour played by Richard Stoezler were interesting features of the festival. Mr. Stoezler gave the "Prize Song" from "Meistersinger" with telling effect. The club played numbers by Haydn, Mozart, Rubinstein and Hoffman.
24Toronto Letter.
25May 20, 1892.
27ON Tuesday and Wednesday evenings of this week the Philharmonic Society, Mr. F. H. Torrington conductor, gave their only concerts for this season. The Philharmonic, by reason of the character of its work during twenty years of existence, is recognized as the most important oratorio society in Canada. Its career has been a varied one and of late it has been having a hard time financially. This, I have previously explained, has been largely due to over competition. In the face of difficulties which have cropped up within the past two years any other man than Mr. Torrington would have been discouraged and probably have abandoned the Philharmonic to whatever fate likely to befall it. But with the pluck and loyalty of the proverbial Briton he has stuck to the helm, even at serious pecuniary sacrifice. It is to be hoped that such devotion will have its fitting reward.
29In the past the Philharmonic has always been foremost in introducing the best solo vocal and instrumental (orchestral) talent to Toronto. This season, however, the condition of its exchequer made it necessary to rely almost wholly on "home" talent. Without any desire to institute odious comparisons, I think I only express popular sentiment when I say that as regards the outside solo talent which was engaged it was in no sense superior to what could have been secured here. The "home" talent did honor to themselves.
31The executants for the concerts under notice comprised a chorus of about 300, an orchestra of sixty-five and some eleven soloists. The program for the first was as follows:
33PART I.
34Finale, Symphony, op. 2……………………………Saint-Saëns
35(First time in Toronto.)
36Philharmonic Orchestra.
37Aria, tenor, "Salve Dimora" ("Faust")……………………….Mr. Wm. Kaiser.
38Intermezzo sinfonico, "Cavalleria Rusticana"………………Mascagni
40PART II.
41Dramatic cantata, "Callirhoë"………………………..Dr. J. Frederick Bridge
42The singing of the Philharmonic chorus was fully equal to its reputation. Mr. Torrington has a singular faculty for securing nobly broad and impressive effects with his singers. The orchestra played remarkably well, both in the accompaniments and their own special selections, the "Cavalleria Rusticana" number winning an insistent and tumultuous encore. Dr. Bridge's "Callirhoë," which was written for the Birmingham Festival of 1888, was given its first presentation in Canada. It is a scholarly work and extremely modern in construction, but of a character hardly to be thoroughly appreciated on a single hearing.
44The call of very unexpected duty elsewhere and at the eleventh hour prevented my hearing the second concert, when Gounod's "Redemption" was given. It may be said, however, that all local press reports of the event speak in the highest terms of the performance, and Mr. Torrington and his associates have every reason to be gratified with the success attained.
46S. M. F.
48Philadelphia Correspondence.
49PHILADELPHIA, May 20, 1892.
51THE third week of Gustav Hinrich's opera season opened with a good performance of Verdi's "Aida," with the following cast:
52Rhadames…………………………………………..Albert Guille
53Amneris……………………………………………..Clara Poole
54Aida…………………………………………………….Selma Koert-Kronold
55Amonasro…………………………………………..Giuseppe Del Puente
56Ramis………………………………………………….W. H. Clarke
57Priestess…………………………………………….Greta Risley
58King…………………………………………………..Richard Karl
59Though devoid of many of the spectacular effects usually attendant upon the production of this opera the performance was an interesting one.
61Mrs. Kronold is at her best as the ill fated Ethiopian slave, and Clara Poole's "Amneris" is one of the most effective renditions of the rôle ever heard in this city. Del Puente sang "Amonasro" with vocal force and dramatic fire, and Guille, despite a noticeable cloudiness in his upper register, was an excellent "Rhadames." Chorus and orchestra lent an efficient aid.
63For the first time in two seasons "La Traviata" was produced on Wednesday evening.
65Marie Van Canteren, who is an excellent coloratura soprano, was quite a successful "Violetta," and sang with much charm. Guille, though not an ideal lover, was vocally a pleasing "Alfredo," and Del Puente was, as always, dramatically impressive and vocally superb as "Germont." The veteran baritone wears admirably.
67The orchestra, we are grieved to say, was in excrable form at several points in the opera.
69"Cavalleria Rusticana" was given during the week with an entirely new cast. Hayne Clark as "Turridi," Mertens as "Alfio," and Van Canteren as "Santuzza" were all well received. one of two readings
70"Cavalleria Rusticana" was given during the week with an entirely new cast. Hayne Clark as "Turridu," Mertens as "Alfio," and Van Canteren as "Santuzza" were all well received. one of two readings
72For next week is announced the first performance by the American Opera Company of Meyerbeer's "L'Africaine." "Don Giovanni" is to be heard during the following week, and then we are to have the long heralded and anxiously awaited "L'Amico Fritz," which is already in rehearsal.
74Several artists of the opera company, the local singing societies and other well-known soloists appeared at festival performances in aid of the Police Pension Fund which were given in the Academy of Music during the past week.
76A. H.
78Kingston Korrespondence.
79KINGSTON, N. Y., May 20, 1892.
81THE third and last concert of the Kingston Philharmonic Society for the present season on Wednesday evening last was in most respects a pleasing success. The array of solo talent was a bit too liberal and the program too long in consequence. The choral work of the society, though an improvement upon that of the February concert and better than was generally expected in view of the ill advised and absorbing diversion caused by the society's participation in the recent "Pattil hippodrome" in Madison Square Garden, was still much below the musical standard reached in previous years. This was especially apparent in Parker's "Redemption Hymn," the leading choral number of the evening. In this beautiful work the tempo was unmercifully hurried and there was entire absence of dynamic coloring, as though the conductor was reading the work for the first time without conception of its import. In short, the result was a mechanical skeleton of bones without musical flesh. The lovely and soulful contralto theme which Miss Nelson sought to idealize went down and was well nigh lost in the race of the baton. On the other hand, however, it is all the more pleasant to the conscientious reviewer to speak of the fine rendition of "The Boatman's Good Night," by Schiva. This was the best work of the choir and really enjoyable. In the "Tannhäuser March" and the well worn "Cavalleria Rusticana" excerpt the society was inadequate from lack of men's voices. This chronic trouble here has been more aggravated than ever the past season.
83The appearance of Miss Christine Nielson, the noted Chicago contralto, was a most interesting feature of the concert. With the exception of her singing in "The Messiah" at Washington last winter this was her first appearance upon the concert stage of the East. She has a noble voice, guided by refined artistic musical conception, evincing much careful study and the highest aims. Added to these is her charming personality. She is emphatically an oratorio singer without any special ambition to tickle the popular ear. Her use of the "vibrato" seems at times excessive and is probably due to an emotional nature. She was well received and won hearty applause. Her numbers, in addition to the "Redemption" solo, were an aria from "Samson and Delilah," "Gretchen am Spinnrade," by Schubert, and "My Heart's in the Highlands," by Schumann.
85Mr. Andreas Dippel, the silver voiced and artistic German tenor, of course charmed everybody with his "Romanz" from "Les Huguenots," and the "Magic Song" of Meyer-Hellmund.
87The Mozart Symphony Club, of New York, gave the instrumental part of the program in an artistic, finished and most effective manner. The ensemble work of the club is good and was highly appreciated. The "Viola d'Amour" solo of Richard Stoezler won a hearty recall and the "Souvenir de Haydn," by John F. Rhodes, was exceptionally good. The 'cello playing of Mario Blodec was also artistic. Miss Mary Forrest, the soprano of the club, sang Ardit's showy "Parla Valse" most effectively. She has a flexible voice which she uses with skill. Miss Camille Toulin, the harpist, was also highly acceptable, though not as prominent in the program as her merit deserved and the audience would have preferred by reason of its extreme length. Mr. W. R. Chapman was the Philharmonic conductor. He is a most ambitious leader, who halts at no undertaking of whatever magnitude. He is endeavoring to secure a re-engagement here, and is full of great schemes for next season.
89ALLEGRO.
91Minneapolis News.
92SONG RECITAL.
93May 14.
95A MOST delightful concert was given at Century Hall on the evening of May 12 by Mrs. Amalie Joachim, wife of the famous violinist, and her talented pupil Miss Villa Whitney White, assisted by the Beethoven String Quartet of St. Paul.
97The program, a short one, consisted of the sweet songs of Schubert, Schumann and other German composers. Mrs. Joachim appeared but once in solo, giving a group of six songs:
98"Whither"…………………………………………..Schubert one of two readings
99Whither…………………………………………..Schubert one of two readings
100"Little Heather Rose"……………………………….Schubert one of two readings
101Little Heather Rose………………………………….Schubert one of two readings
102"Where Are the Violets?"…………………………..Shulitz one of two readings
103Where Are the Violets?………………………………Shulitz one of two readings
104"Dance Song"………………………………………Hussler one of two readings
105Dance Song…………………………………………Hussler one of two readings
106Serenade…………………………………………….Haydn
107"Spring Night"………………………………………Schumann one of two readings
108Spring Night………………………………………..Schumann one of two readings
110These were rendered with superb effect, receiving a most enthusiastic encore, to which Mrs. Joachim responded with bows. It was a pleasure to hear her sing, and her interpretation of the beautiful German songs was so truly the mark of an artist that to criticize were presumptuous. The fame of her celebrated husband does not in the least overshadow her own as an exponent of the songs of Germany.
112Miss White, a pupil of Mrs. Joachim, who appears in concert with her, has a sweet voice and sings with good expression, true phrasing and clear enunciation. Her solo was a triple number, consisting of Schubert's "Margaret at the Spinning Wheel" and two English ballads, "Clover Blossoms" and "Marie." To a rousing encore she responded with the old but never unwelcome "Annie Laurie," and this she sang with exquisite feeling. Together the ladies gave some beautiful selections from Schumann and Anton Dvorak. These were delightful, their voices blending in perfect harmony, and their phrasing was exactly the same.
114The Beethoven Quartet played selections from Beethoven and Schubert with good execution and expression.
116As a whole the concert was a gem in musical entertainment, and those who were so unfortunate as to miss it lost a rare treat.
118ZOCH'S PIANO RECITAL.
120The thirty-first piano recital by Hermann Emil Zoch took place at Century Hall on the evening of May 13. There was an immense audience in attendance, and the following program was rendered in the superb style for which Mr. Zoch is known in his own city as elsewhere:
121Sonata Appassionata, op. 57………………………..Ludwig van Beethoven
122Valse, A minor…………………………………….Frederick Chopin
123Scherzo, op. 39……………………………………Frederick Chopin
124Menuet in G……………………………………….Moritz Moszkowski one of two readings
125Menuet in G………………………………………..Moritz Moszkowski one of two readings
126"Spring Song"…………………………………….Jensen-Nieman
127"Waldweben," from "Siegfried"…………………….Richard Wagner one of two readings
128"Waldweben," from "Siegfried"……………………Richard Wagner one of two readings
129(Transcribed for piano by Louis Brassin.)
131"Orage" ("The Storm")…………………………….Franz Liszt one of two readings
132"Orage" ("The Storm")…………………………..Franz Liszt one of two readings
134It is not alone a pleasure to listen to Mr. Zoch's scholarly renditions, his clean, clear touch, to note his excellent conception and the poetic feeling with which it is expressed, but it is interesting to watch his perfect fingering. Clear and sparkling comes each note from his skillful finger tips, and his pianissimos are sweet and true as the sound of silver bells. On this occasion Beethoven's Sonata Appassionata, Moszkowski's menuet in G and Wagner's "Waldweben," from "Siegfried," were the most noticeable numbers. To hold an audience in uniring attention with piano music alone is a great success, and this belongs to Mr. Zoch.
136ACTON HORTON.
138De Pachmann Says Farewell.—Mr. Vladimir de Pachmann, the pianist, sailed for Europe last Saturday morning on La Gascogne. During his two years' stay here De Pachmann has given 130 concerts, most of them in Chickering Hall. Although he has received several offers to return the pianist has accepted none of them.
140Scharwenka Pupils' Concert.—The pupils of the Scharwenka Conservatory gave a concert in Behr Brothers Hall Monday evening of this week before a large audience. The pupils taking part were Miss Cora Schaefer and Miss Carrie Hirschman, pupils of Professor Scharwenka; Miss Bertha Cadogan, pupil of Mr. Petzet; Miss Maude E. Parr, mezzo soprano, and a mixed chorus of about twenty-five voices. Miss Schaefer gave a very spirited reading of Schumann's concerto in A minor, displaying a firm, clear touch and much ability. Miss Hirschman, who was unable through illness to finish her number, showed a surprisingly good technic for one of her age, having an almost masculine touch and playing with vigor and precision. Miss Cadogan also made an excellent impression. The chorus was very satisfactory both in volume and quality of tone.
142WANTED—Piano and organ tuner would like work part of the time or would take a steady position. Understands thoroughly the repairing of reed organs. Can also show up instruments in wareroom. Good reference from present employer, who is going out of business. Address R. H., MUSICAL COURIER office.
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