Scan 7
Musical Courier 1892-08-03: Vol 25 Iss 649, 1892
64 lines. Read by computer on 23 September 2026, twice; the two readings disagreed in places. Printed page 8. See the scan on archive.org.
1THE MUSICAL COURIER.
3shall be nameless. That he hath a cunning humor will be apprehended after reading:
5THE DIVA'S LAST FAREWELL TOUR.
6(Billiard room at Craig-y-Nos Castle, Wales.)
7ADELINA—Coco! Marcus Mayer wants me for another American tour. Do you think that our friends across the great pond will swallow another farewell dose?
8NICHOLAS (surveying the effects of a massé shot with critical eye)—Ces bons Américains! Zey vill swallow anysinks.
9ADELINA—But you know it would be my 876th farewell tour, Coco.
10NICHOLAS—Cela ne fait rien, Addie. Ce cher Marc must announce it as positively ze very last appearance. Ces bons Américains vill swallow ze bait as zey have been doing for ze last ten years.
11ADELINA—But, Coco, at that rate it will be my everlasting appearance.
12NICHOLAS—C'est bien, Addie. Vat is ze proverbe Anglais? "Ve must cut ze hay while ze moon shines." Besides, you know zat ve need a new billiard table; ze old one is in such poor condition zat now even you can beat me. (Ces bons Américain, comme je les aime!) "Ze Last Rose of ze Summer," "Home, Sweet Home," une valse par Arditi. Voilà you répertoire! No study, no effort, no nozinks. Crowded houses, flowers, delirious women, infatuated school girls—quelle gloire!
14(Several months later, behind the scenes of the Metropolitan Opera House, New York.)
15MR. SELZER (from the "Daily Mercury")—Divine enchantress! Golden voiced siren! Permit me to lay my homage at your feet and ask you for the 876th time what you think of America.
16LA DIVA—Cher ami, how glad I am to see you and dear America again! I adore America and her people—n'est ce pas, Coco? What appreciation of art! what enthusiasm! How little I imagined some—er—er—twenty-three years ago that the people of your great republic would applaud me again and again! (Where is Fif, Coco? Ce petit animal, he is up to some mischief again, I dare say.) Oui, mon cher Monsieur Selzer, that memorable evening when as a girl of sixteen I stood trembling with nervousness on the boards of the Academy—ah, Fif, where have you (covering the little beast with kisses) been, my darling, my pet? one of two readings
17LA DIVA—Cher ami, how glad I am to see you and dear America again! I adore America and her people—n'est ce pas, Coco? What appreciation of art! what enthusiasm! How little I imagined some—er—er—twenty-three years ago that the people of your great republic would applaud me again and again! (Where is Fifi, Coco? Ce petit animal, he is up to some mischief again, I dare say.) Oui, mon cher Monsieur Selzer, that memorable evening when as a girl of sixteen I stood trembling with nervousness on the boards of the Academy—ah, Fifi, where have you (covering the little beast with kisses) been, my darling, my pet? one of two readings
18NICHOLAS—I just caught him as he bit Arditi in ze left leg.
19MR. SELZER—Madam, may I give the American public the assurance—
20LA DIVA (with tears in her eyes)—Oui, mon ami! Tell my American friends that the idea of parting with them forever, of singing for them for the very last time—Coco, my flacon! (Overcome by her emotions the diva faints, but not before whispering to Coco: "Did you notice that the high G stuck in my throat to-night?") NICHOLAS (sotto voce)—Oui, ma chérie; but never mind, there were $12,000 in the house.
22(Scene in 1992 on board La Veuve Cliquet.)
23LA DIVA (waving her hand to those on shore)—Adieu, mes amis, adieu!
24MR. SELZER (from the "Daily Mercury," on the dock)—Queen of song, what can I deliver as your last message to the American people?
25LA DIVA—Tell them that just before I left my hotel I "closed" with Marcus Mayer for a last farewell tour in 1993.
26(The steamer departs. In the front Coco is seen caressing Fif, while the diva pats something on the back resembling an Egyptian mummy. It is Arditi.) one of two readings
27(The steamer departs. In the front Coco is seen caressing Fifi, while the diva pats something on the back resembling an Egyptian mummy. It is Arditi.) one of two readings
29There is only one man in town who could have written the above. And the band played "Ta-ra-ra-boom-de-ay."
31The music editor of "Town Topics" seems to be deeply moved at the news of the return of the Mexican Hairless Pup (No. 2) with Aunt Adelina Patti (now no longer Pâté de Foyer Grau), all under the captaincy of M. Membrane Meyer. This from the last issue of the pious Ged fearing sheet.
32[By the way, there is no truth whatsoever in the rumor that Col. Elliott Free and Easy Shepard has assumed the editorship of T. T.]
33The news that Patti had signed an engagement to visit the United States in 1898-4 came over the wires Sunday, but was no news to persons interested in musical matters. It was known that la diva had no intention of renewing her contract with her late managers, and it was understood that there was but one bidder for her services. In spite of this fact, one of the dispatches mentioned that Mr. Abbey had for three weeks past endeavored to secure the prize. I have the best of reasons for believing that this statement is absolutely truthless, for long before last season came to a close the impresario referred to proclaimed that he had no desire to transact any further business with the great soprano. It is no mystery that last winter dissatisfaction prevailed all around. Patti was vexed at the importance assumed by the extraordinary performances in which the De Reszkes, Lassalle and Eames were concerned, and when messages went over the wires proclaiming that the receipts of the "big four" exceeded those of the "long star," much ill feeling arose. Then the hybrid performances, in which Patti took part, proving unprofitable, "popular prices" had to be resorted to, and while seats for the combination at the Metropolitan commanded $7, the choice stalls in the Garden could be bought for $2.50, and many remained vacant. So Patti and Mr. Abbey both had cause to rejoice when the parting hour was at hand. On the songstress' return next year she will no doubt find many thousand people anxious to behold her once more, and as low prices are to rule everybody will have a chance to say of the great and only what good Neapolitans say of their picturesqueness, if occasionally malodorous, city. The announcement that the approaching tour will be her farewell I cannot but take with many grains of salt. So long as Patti sings "Bel raggio," "Comin' Thro' the Rye" and "Home, Sweet Home," twice a week for twenty-five weeks of the year, she ought to outlast Mr. Sims Reeves. I shall look for her antipenultimate tournée toward 1945. one of two readings
34The news that Patti had signed an engagement to visit the United States in 1898-4 came over the wires Sunday, but was no news to persons interested in musical matters. It was known that la diva had no intention of renewing her contract with her late managers, and it was understood that there was but one bidder for her services. In spite of this fact, one of the dispatches mentioned that Mr. Abbey had for three weeks past endeavored to secure the prize. I have the best of reasons for believing that this statement is absolutely truthful, for long before last season came to a close the impresario referred to proclaimed that he had no desire to transact any further business with the great soprano. It is no mystery that last winter dissatisfaction prevailed all around. Patti was vexed at the importance assumed by the extraordinary performances in which the De Reszkes, Lassalle and Eames were concerned, and when messages went over the wires proclaiming that the receipts of the "big four" exceeded those of the "long star," much ill feeling arose. Then the hybrid performances, in which Patti took part, proving unprofitable, "popular prices" had to be resorted to, and while seats for the combination at the Metropolitan commanded $7, the choice stalls in the Garden could be bought for $2.50, and many remained vacant. So Patti and Mr. Abbey both had cause to rejoice when the parting hour was at hand. On the songstress' return next year she will no doubt find many thousand people anxious to behold her once more, and as low prices are to rule everybody will have a chance to say of the great and only what good Neapolitans say of their picturesqueness, if occasionally malodorous, city. The announcement that the approaching tour will be her farewell I cannot but take with many grains of salt. So long as Patti sings "Bel raggio," "Comin' Thro' the Rye" and "Home, Sweet Home," twice a week for twenty-five weeks of the year, she ought to outlast Mr. Sims Reeves. I shall look for her antipenultimate tournée toward 1945. one of two readings
35Patti and the Gospadin Bundelcund will eventually form a concert combination under the management of Don Whiskerando De Vivo.
37PERSONALS.
39Some Deaths.—Evan Sheppard, who had acquired fame in England as the first African negro to acquire proficiency on the violin, died recently in Hetton, aged forty-nine. He became an accomplished violinist and had filled engagements in many theatres and with various concert troupes. Latterly he had devoted himself to teaching. He married an English woman, and several children survive him.
40T. H. Russell, the comic vocalist, died in London recently. He was famed as the originator of the laughing song "The Man with the Wooden Arm," and was one of the organizers of the Society of Stags.
41John Allen, once an orchestra leader of note, died at his home in Brooklyn several days ago, aged seventy-two. He was born in London and began his career as a leader in 1840. For thirty years he was identified with the San Francisco theatres.—"Sun."
42Strauss Better.—Richard Strauss, the young Weimar composer and conductor, is convalescent at Reichenhall, in Upper Bavaria, near Salzburg. He is at work there on his opera, "Guntram," of which the first act is said to be finished.
43Richter and Nordica.—Dr. Richter was so pleased with Nordica's new rendering, at the last Richter concert, of the closing scene from the "Götterdämmerung" that he wrote the following in the book she sang from: "Der Meistersingerein Frau Nordica zur freundlicher Erinnerungen des Richter concert 4 July 1892 und ihrer Herrlichen wohlverdiensten Erfolg der Conductor Hans Richter."
44A Father.—Leopold Godowsky was made the father of a daughter July 21. Masseltoff.
45Women Composers.—It is gratifying to read the frequent notices of woman's progress in the composition of music, a field in which she has gained little distinction heretofore. Among the successful and original woman composers of the day is Mrs. H. A. Beach, who has completed her "Festival Jubilate" for orchestra and chorus to be presented at the dedication of the exposition in October. She has also nearly completed her aria and recitative from Schiller's "Marie Stuart," and is engaged on an oratorio. The young Italian composer and pianist, Virginia Mariani, has received signal distinction at the centenary fêtes held in honor of Rossini. Her "Apotheosis of Rossini" has been considered worthy of a prize by the committee, and is to be performed by this young composer and her two sisters, as harpist and violinist, the latter being scarcely more than a child.—"Sun."
46A Matrimonial Rumor.—Mrs. Fursch-Mardi is said to have taken unto herself a spouse. The name of the lucky man is rumored to be Baron Leon De Vay, a violinist of great talents and a member of a very distinguished Hungarian family. Can this be the truth?
47Sedohr-Rhodes.—Miss Sedohr-Rhodes, the young American soprano who has been engaged at a week's salary of $500 to take Miss Geraldine Ulmar's place in "The Mountebanks" at the Lyric Theatre, London, is a pupil of Marchesi, of Paris, under whom she has studied for three years. She made her début in Paris at the Salle Erard, where her singing of the madscene from "Lucia" created a sensation. She afterward appeared in opera in Brussels, where her success was so pronounced that she crowded the house nightly during her engagement, thus saving the manager of the Opera House from impending bankruptcy. Miss Rhodes is a California girl and has been educated by her uncle, Senator Evarts, of Illinois. She is a tall, slender blonde, with a handsome face and figure, possessing a light, clear soprano voice of extended range. Socially she is a great favorite, being a protégé of Mrs. Mackay and her daughter, the Princess Colonna. Miss Rhodes is a fine linguist, speaking French, German, Spanish and Italian. Before going abroad she studied for a year with Signor Emilio Agramonte, in this city.—"Herald."
48Didn't Know His Bach.—An amusing practical joke has been played at the expense of that excellent musician, Dr. W. Spark, of Leeds, and it is referred to in the circular issued to the subscribers of the "Organists' Quarterly Journal." Last April, it seems, in the "Journal"—a publication which is, by the way, supposed to consist of "original" publications only—was published a fugue, which somebody speedily recognized as by Sebastian Bach. Dr. Spark now explains that the fugue was sent to him in manuscript, penciled in two staves, with the name of "Bexfield" on the right-hand corner. Dr. Spark added to it a pedal part, and was rather proud of it as an outgoing voluntary. Whoever was the wicked individual who palmed off on the worthy doctor a fugue under the name of "Bexfield," but really written by Bach, played a very innocent and undoubtedly successful practical joke. It so happens that the victim in this case is one of the most capable and experienced organists in England. If an unfortunate musical critic had fallen into the error he would indisputably have been howled at as an ignoramus. The moral is clear. However experienced and well read a musician he may be no mortal man can be supposed to know every one of the thousands of pieces that may from time to time have come under his eye. Dr. Spark's error shows that a mistake is quite possible even in the case of such well-known compositions as Bach's fugues.—London "Figaro."
49Santley III.—Charles Santley, the famous English baritone, is threatened with cancer.
50Honors to Sickner.—A. W. Sickner, inventor of "Sickner's Hand and Arm Guide for Pianos and Organs" has just received from the Parisian Academy of Inventors and Art, of Paris, a beautiful medal and diploma of award for the above invention, besides being made an honorary member of said institution.
51Mrs. Vogl.—Therese Vogl, once one of the great dramatic sopranos of Germany, wife of the distinguished tenor, Heinrich Vogl, will retire in October from active work at the Munich Royal Opera, where both she and her husband have been the leading singers for the last twenty-six years. Mrs. Vogl's voice has for several years been seriously impaired, but, with her husband, she has been one of the greatest exponents of the true Wagnerian tradition of operatic acting, both of them having had the benefit of the master's guidance during his residence at Munich. Mrs. Vogl was especially distinguished for her "Isolde," and she created the part of "Sieglinde" at the first performance of "Die Walküre," in 1870, at Munich. She will remain an "Ehrenmitglied," or honorary member of the Royal Opera Company.
52Pohl's Jubilee.—Richard Pohl, of Baden-Baden, for many years the editor of the Baden-Baden "Badeblatt," and widely known as a musical writer and critic, celebrated his fortieth literary jubilee on the first of July, on which occasion he received numerous and well merited congratulatory letters and telegrams from far and wide. It was he who first drew attention to the significance of the Wagner movement, and prominently made propaganda for the new movement—just as he had done for Berlioz and Liszt, and in every instance proved himself an excellent prophet.—"American Register."
53A New Violinist.—Mr. Charles D'Almaine, of England, a violinist of much promise, recently located in Chicago, is meeting with deserved success. Mr. D'Almaine is a pupil of J. T. Carrodus, of London, and the quality of his work evidences the careful student. The soulful expression to be found in all his efforts evinces full appreciation of his art and capabilities of the instrument.
54The Beethoven Conservatory and Elena Corani.—The management of the Beethoven Conservatory—Messrs. Epstein Brothers & Waldauer—of St. Louis, have made an important engagement in securing Mrs. Elena Corani, of this city, as the new vocal instructor of the institution. The Messrs. Epstein were in the city for some time and only concluded the engagement after having thoroughly investigated the subject, and their selection is a most fortunate one for the conservatory.
56"Parsifal" Next Year.—Next year "Parsifal" can be given anywhere outside of Germany. In Germany it can be performed only at Bayreuth.
58BREITKOPF & HÄRTEL,
5915 EAST 17TH STREET, NEW YORK.
60SOLE AGENTS IN THE U. S. FOR
61MESSRS. BREITKOPF & HÄRTEL, LEIPSIC, BRUSSELS, LONDON.
62MESSRS. G. RICORDI & CO., MILAN, LONDON, PARIS.
63CONSTANTIN WILD'S VERLAG, LEIPSIC, BADEN-BADEN.
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