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Musical Courier 1892-06-15: Vol 24 Iss 643, 1892
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1Paris Musical Items.
2Paris, May 17, 1892.
4A charming musicale was given yesterday afternoon by Lagrange at her hotel in the Rue Coudercet. The program consisted of twenty numbers, interpreted by the most advanced members of her class of pupils. Among the most successful who took part were Mrs. Van Arneim, who sang magnificently an aria from the "Cid" of Massenet and a mélodie by Widor, accompanied by the composer. Mrs. Regina (Atwater) showed her abilities as an artist in her selections, "Merci Dilet," Verdi, and an aria from "Robert le Diable." Miss Elsie Lincoln also scored a success in an aria from "Philemon and Baucis," Gounod. Of the contralto voices the most successful was Miss Webb, of Brooklyn. Her number on the program ("Chant d'Hindou") was rapturously encored. Of the rest of the pupils Misses Archmere, Bell, Rogers, Clarke and Johnston showed unusual proficiency in their selection.
6Lagrange was very warmly complimented on the success of the pupils in their singing, which showed the excellence of their teaching, each and every number on the long program being listened to attentively by a large audience consisting largely of friends of the pupils. Francis Thomé, the talented son-in-law of Lagrange, played several of his compositions; also a musical setting to the charming little sonnet, "Ninon," by De Musset.
8Among the audience were Mrs. Thors, Mrs. Maurice Strakosch, Mrs. Thomé, Mrs. Barret, Mrs. Howard, Mrs. Wilkie, Mrs. Bell, Countess Coëtlogon and others.
10"Enguerrande" at the Opéra Comique, produced last week, is rather a musical failure. The "Figaro" says the composer has tried to obtain effects of the new school with old methods. The libretto also is very bad and the probability is that the opera will be put on the shelf very shortly. It is particularly unfortunate just at this time, as two of the strongest and most successful artists, Misses Arnold and Calvé, go to London this week, the latter opening in "Cavalleria Rusticana" on Monday evening.
12Miss Brennerberg's concert, which took place in the Salle de la Géographie last week, was largely attended and was made particularly interesting by the appearance of Miss Nellie Rowe, a contralto from Australia. Her singing was remarkably intelligent and her voice a very powerful and sympathetic one. She gives promise for future brilliant prospects.
14Miss Brennerberg delighted her audience with several solos, one number, the "Reverie and Agitato," composed by her teacher and dedicated to her, being the "pièce de résistance" of the concert. Marsick accompanied Miss Brennerberg on the piano and seemed most proud of his talented pupil.
16The first rendition of the grand opera "Merowig," libretto by Geo. Montorgeuil and music by Rosseau, and which obtained the first prize in 1891 from the city of Paris, is to be given at the Trocadéro May 21, with Miss Pregi, Messrs. Faure, Alvarez and Lambert as soloists, assisted by the Grand Opéra chorus and the Colonne Orchestra.
18Many well-known composers have died within the last month, Guiraud being laid at rest in Père la Chaise cemetery last week, and Ferdinand Poise died yesterday at his residence in Rue Fontaine. He wrote several operas; among the number the score of "La Coupe Enchantée," which was lost in the fire at the Opéra Comique five years ago.
20The mise en loge of the clever candidates for this year's prix de Rome was held at the conservatoire yesterday. The test is a fugue in four parts on a given subject, a chorus for four voices with orchestral accompaniment, the time allowed the candidates being a full week.
22The Minister of Fine Arts has delegated Joncières to represent him at the unveiling of the monument to Olivier Métra at Bois le Roi next week.
24During the performance of "L'Africaine" at the Opéra last evening Lassalle was taken suddenly ill and became very hoarse.
26Renaud, who was in the audience, finished the opera amid great applause. On Sunday afternoon next a monster gala concert is to be given at the Trocadéro, complimentary to Emile Bourgeois, chef du chant et d'orchestre at the Opéra Comique. Among the host of volunteers we find the names of Mrs. Melba, Mrs. Richards, Miss Landouzy, Messrs. Vagent, Soulacroix, Gibert, Bomet, Delmas and many others. Among the engagements made for operatic work next season the manager of the Grand Opéra at Brussels has secured Mrs. Saville and Misses Girard and Scala for the Théâtre de la Monnaie, also Miss Zabelle has been engaged for the Grand Opéra at Rouen, the young ladies all being Marchesi pupils and of much promise. Miss Scala is a New York lady and has a beautiful voice.
28Will Taylor.
30Paris, May 24, 1892.
32"Salammbô," the grand opera written by Ernest Reyer, author of "Sigurd," was produced at the Opéra for the first time here on Monday evening last, after a successful run at the Théâtre de la Monnaie at Brussels. The new management commenced by a master stroke in placing the opera on the stage in magnificent style, gorgeous costumes, mise en scène, &c. The scenery was a revelation. One scene, laid in Carthage, with a staircase crowded with hundreds of people, is rivaled only by the famous "ship scene" in "L'Africaine." The costumes, designed by Brachine (there were over 1,500), were simply dazzling. The subject, taken from Flaubert's novel, was an interesting one, and the libretto followed the story very closely. The music of the score has been strongly criticised, many claiming it to be the composer's best work, but the general opinion is that the work is hardly up to the standard. A few numbers like the "Air des Colombes" and the camp duet and the temple act will become favorites, but there is a great deal of noisy and uninteresting music which makes it at times a little tiresome.
34The interest, however, centres entirely on the splendid rendition of the heroine by Miss Caron, that admirable artist, who invests the part with so much fire and artistic excellence that it stamps her as an artist of the first magnitude; the other rôles are filled by Messrs. Vaguët, Renaud and Delmas. The ballet was led by the charming Miss Hirsch, who scored a great success by her graceful and finished dancing. Melba makes her final appearance here this week prior to her departure for London, where Lassalle and Plançon and Mrs. Deschamps join her at the Covent Garden. At the Opéra Comique they are playing "Enguerrande" and "Marriage of Figaro." Calvé and Sigrid Arnoldson have both left for London to join Harris' forces at Covent Garden.
36We attended the wedding of Guilmant's daughter at the Trinité Church on Tuesday afternoon last. The church was crowded with most of the musical and artistic celebrities of Paris. The music was of the highest order, and the reception given after the ceremony was attended by a large number of the friends of the family. Prominent were Victorien Sardou, Baron Tombelle, Clement Loret, Messrs. Dubois, MacMaster, Gigout, Miss Taine, Mrs. Conneau, Miss Effie Stuart and many others.
38Miss Taine, the organist, gave an interesting concert at the Salle d'Horticulture in the Rue Grenelle last week. Her performance of several numbers, which included a scherzo by Guilmant, second gavot by Godard and the elegie of Massenet, was a perfect revelation and displayed her abilities as one of the best lady organists that I have heard here. She also displayed great taste in her selections throughout the entire program. Miss Cognault, a charming soprano, greatly pleased in her selection, "Chanson Sarrazaine," by Joncières, and an air with variations, "Cendrillon," by Nicolo. A chorus of fifty voices led by Mr. Seguy contributed several numbers; one particularly, "The Angelus," from Gounod's "Jeanne d'Arc," was very heartily applauded. Guilmant contributed also to the program by rendering several of his own compositions.
40Several swell musicales have been given this week, Mrs. J. C. Ayer leading the list by a very elegant affair on Saturday evening. She had the assistance of an orchestra of fifty musicians under the direction of Godard, and the vocal numbers given by Faure and Mrs. Deschamps Jehin. Mrs. Green, in the Rue Pépinière, also gave a small musicale on Friday afternoon last complimentary to Mr. Will Keith, the young baritone, from San Francisco; he has a magnificent voice and is hard at work studying an operatic répertoire with Giraudet; Miss Elisa Cushing, soprano, and Mr. Caylus, tenor, also assisted. At Mrs. Hutchinson's, Rue Marboeuf, on Tuesday afternoon there was some fine music; songs by Miss Lillian Devlin, Miss P. Horne, Miss Bryant, Miss Blanche Taylor and Mr. Keith. Mr. A. A. Anderson, the American artist, also entertained a number of friends with some good music, Miss Devlin sang French songs, and Mr. Edward Noyes, the young American pianist, who was present, played a Chopin nocturne and a brilliant arrangement from Wagner's "Flying Dutchman." He is very popular in both society and artistic circles and his playing is always finished and artistic.
42Miss Elsie Lincoln, soprano, has made a success in London, having appeared at the Crystal Palace concerts under Mr. Mann's direction.
44Mrs. Van Arneim is engaged to sing the leading rôle in Massenet's "Le Cid" at the revival of that opera at the Grand Opéra in the fall.
46Miss Irene Brennerberg, the young violinist, has been engaged for two gala performances to be given at the Vienna Musical Exposition next month. She is hard at work with Marsick and has had several offers already for next season.
48At the charity fête given at the Opéra last week for the benefit of the famine in Russia the affair was socially a great success, but a very stupid program was carried out, the selection being very uninteresting. At the Menus-Plaisirs a new operetta, "Toto," is announced for the appearance of Miss Marguerite Derval. Paderewski is announced to play at the Salle Erard next Thursday evening.
50Will Taylor.
52Paris, June 1, 1892.
54The last week has been a very brilliant one, both socially and musically. On Thursday evening a small but highly enjoyable musicale was given at the studio of Mr. Leslie Caldwell, the young American artist, who resides at 17 Rue Campagne Premier. The studio, which is highly artistic and filled with beautiful and artistic pictures, bric-à-brac and tapestries, was crowded with the many friends of Mr. Caldwell and some delightful music was heard. Mrs. Brasor Pratt, the contralto, charmed everybody with her artistic rendering of several French songs. Mr. Caylus, tenor, from the Opéra, also sang several numbers. Mr. Caldwell sang several German Lieder, besides several exquisite piano solos by Messrs. Magrath and Connolly. The guests included Count and Countess Kessler, Alexander Harrison, the artist; Dr. Cecil Austen, Miss Cleary, Mr. W. H. Hyde, Miss Blanche Taylor, Miss Young, Miss Hoe and Miss Geraldine Reid.
56Miss Sybil Sanderson has appeared here for the first time at the Opéra Comique in "Lakmé" and repeated her former successes. "Enguerrande" has been withdrawn and "Les Troyens," by Berlioz, is being rehearsed prior to an early production. Many of the theatres are closing, and the last performances of "La Femme de Narcisse" are announced. The cafés chantants in the Champs Elysées are all in full swing. The Jardin de Paris opened on Saturday night.
58Miss Yvette Guilbert, the celebrated (?) chanteuse, opens for the summer season at the Horloge, in the Champs Elysées. According to the Paris journals the celebrated Bianca Donadio, who, if I remember rightly, was heard in opera in America several years ago, has taken the veil and retired to the Convent of St. Anne, in Rome, in the Via Merulana, and her voice is now heard only in the convent choir. A disappointed life is said to be the reason for her retirement.
60Will Taylor.
62Brooklyn News.
64A probable conservatory of music for our sister city—Mrs. Thurber's efforts meeting with deserved success and encouragement—Pipe and drum corps in a Roman Catholic church—the Brooklyn symphony society branching out—other news and gossip from musical Brooklyn and news drifts by the way.
66Bureau of The Musical Courier, No. 284 Fulton street. Brooklyn, June 3, 1892.
68Mrs. Jeannette M. Thurber, whose enthusiastic love for music has long been known throughout the country, and especially in New York in connection with the National Conservatory of Music, which she established there at great expense to herself, has conceived the idea of enlarging the scope of that conservatory by establishing a branch institution in Brooklyn. It is but fair to say that the same energetic spirit that has moved musical matters and established the organization in New York will be the moving factor in establishing one in Brooklyn. Whether or not the Brooklyn branch is to become a success ultimately is a thing to be determined. One thing is certain, that the whole undertaking is as yet tentative. Its success will depend, not on any musical éclat that Mrs. Thurber can bring over from New York, not from the fact that it has the name of New York upon it; not even from the fact that it has great wealth behind it: it must depend upon the quality of its instructors. If the National Conservatory is better equipped with better teachers, better methods, better opportunities than any school yet presented to the public in Brooklyn, then Mrs. Thurber will win the day. There is no just grounds for unfriendly rivalry between such a conservatory and the music schools; Brooklyn competition is always healthy and will in the end inevitably and invariably develop the best result.
70The interest shown in Brooklyn in the venture may be inferred from the fact that on the day for the trial of the voices Association Hall was literally jammed with musical novitiates eager to press their claims. The same interest was shown in the examination of performers on the piano, violin and other orchestral instruments.
72Should such a conservatory as has been proposed be successful important results will follow for Brooklyn. First, the establishment of a permanent metropolitan orchestra, such as is needed in Brooklyn. Brooklyn is weak as compared with other cities in orchestra.
74To establish a permanent and reputable orchestra some things are necessary. First, an intelligent appreciation of instrumental performance, founded on culture in that direction. Boston has had this for a decade in Nikisch and others; New York in Thomas and Seidl. Such a conservatory will go not a little way toward helping to merge the two cities into one, thus rendering the establishment of such an orchestra more easy and more effective.
76The Brooklyn Symphony Society elected a permanent coach in the person of Miss Chapman. Miss Chapman is without any question a remarkable musician. Her tempo and note reading are far more than ordinary. She is a little midget, but has strong intellectual qualities, coupled with a high temperament, which if aroused would make her a veritable terror to those under her baton. She can conduct any part and prefers to do so without the aid of any instrument, even the piano. She can sing good basso and will be heard in a female quartet which the society will organize at its next concert. She goes to Lib-
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