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Musical Courier 1893-04-12: Vol 26 Iss 684, 1893
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1ability last Wednesday evening at the Manhattan Athletic Club Theatre, under the direction of Emilio Agramonte, assisted by Miss Anna Warren Story, teacher of acting and stage manager. They did the garden scene from "Faust" and the last act of "Mignon," besides several solo numbers. The chief singers were Miss Rena Atkinson, Miss C. C. At Lee, Miss Charlotte Riley, Miss M. K. Troup, Miss Annette T. Reynolds, Miss Marcelina Gonzalez and Messrs. B. F. Miller, S. Fischer Miller, Edward S. Roe, Stewart Holt and John H. Grotecloss, Jr. Miss Ida Branth, violinist, played Sarasate's "Gypsy Dances" with a strong bow, a supple left hand and much musical taste.
3Mr. and Mrs. Gerrit Smith and Francis Fischer Powers gave their Easter concert last Wednesday evening at the Mendelssohn Club House. It was musically, socially and financially one of the very big successes of this season. Such an aristocratic and elegantly attired audience is seldom seen even in gay Gotham. And look at the names of the artists who took part: Mrs. Lillian Blauvelt, Mrs. Clara Poole King, J. H. Ricketson and Gustav Danneureth, in addition to the three who gave the concert. The program included nineteen compositions, five of which sprung from American brains. All the artists were enthusiastically received, and none of them ever appeared to better advantage. It was really a great occasion.
5Three songs recently sent me, composed by Lillie Mahon Siegfried and published by Hitchcock, are cute, dainty and attractive. They are entitled "The Sea Breeze and the Scarf," "The Beautiful Land of Nod" and "Japanese Lullaby." They are dedicated respectively, and doubtless respectfully, to Fannie Edgar Thomas, Mrs. John Hamilton Bough and the New York "Herald," and the words are by Ella Wheeler Wilcox, except the "Japanese Lullaby," which was written by Eugene Field. The composer is gifted with a proper sense of the melodious, and her piano accompaniments are written in a manner indicative of studious contemplation. It is always a pleasure to notice as favorably as possible any music written by one of the fair sex, for so few of them make any attempt at composition. Try your hand at it, ladies; you may be more talented in this direction than you realize!
7John Delwyn Briggs and Mrs. Florence H. Jenckes were married in this city last Wednesday. Mrs. Jenckes up to the time of her marriage was the soprano of the Thirteenth Street Presbyterian Church. She is a pupil of Bristol, and has a powerful, agreeable voice. Congratulations and best wishes are in order.
9Mrs. Josephine Gro, chairman of the music department of the newspaper woman's booth at the New York Press Club Fair, is writing a souvenir march for the fair. She and Ella Wheeler Wilcox will have the poetry and music booth. Several of the music publishers have promised Mrs. Gro liberal donations of music and musical books, and success is already crowning this bright little lady's efforts.
11And still another wedding! Mr. Hymen has certainly been very busy of late, even though many people consider him a skin. This time "Mr. John Mack requests the honor of your presence at the marriage of his daughter, Pamela, to Mr. Enrico Mario Scognamiglio, on Saturday morning, April 15, 1893, at 11 o'clock, Church of Saint Francis Xavier, West Sixteenth street." I am not acquainted with the young lady, but the groom is the handsome 'cellist who recently settled in New York, having come from Baltimore. He is a gentleman of striking appearance, a good 'cellist and a fine musician. Whether or not he will continue to play in concerts after his marriage I have not been informed. Good luck and happiness!
13Miss Mary P. Kimball, daughter of Dr. E. S. Kimball, the well-known vocal teacher of Baltimore, who has been finishing her piano studies during the past year under Leschetizky, will sail for home from Genoa with her mother on May 25. She was an excellent pianist before she went abroad, and it is now thought that she will take rank among the very best American players on that much abused instrument.
15Everybody who has been fortunate enough to hear Miss Marcelina Gonzalez pronounces her one of Gotham's most accepted sopranos. This charming little brunette gave a concert last night at the Mendelssohn Glee Club Hall, together with Mr. Emilio de Gogorza, whose voice is rich and agreeable. It is needless to remark that it was an occasion of rare artistic merit.
17That delightful harpist, Miss Avice Boxall, tall, stately, handsome and accomplished, gave a concert last Friday evening at the Y. M. C. A. Hall, Harlem, under the auspices of the "Fear Not" and "Golden Rule" circles, King's Daughters and King's Sons. Miss Boxall, who played both the harp and piano with her usual skill and brilliancy, was ably assisted by Miss Geraldine Morgan, violinist; Master Winfred Young, soprano; Mrs. Alec Irving, contralto; Charles Stuart Phillips, tenor; H. J. Bauer, bass, and Miss Jeanne Pottinger, accompanist.
19We all know that William C. Carl can play the organ more than a little bit. His first recital of this season drew a big audience to the First Presbyterian Church last Friday afternoon, and everyone who attended will make a point of going to the rest of the series. Among Mr. Carl's selections were three new compositions by Th. Dubois: "Alleluia," "Noel" and "Fiat Lux," the "Noel" being dedicated to Mr. Carl. He also played from manuscript a new suite for organ, written for and dedicated to himself by Henri Deshayes. The assisting artists, Miss Kathrin Hilke, David G. Henderson and Dr. Carl E. Dufft; all did superb work, Mr. Henderson's number being a song, "Spring Voices," composed by William C. Carl. Next Friday afternoon at 4 o'clock the assisting performers will be Miss Kate Percy Douglas, soprano; Miss Grace Julia Hodgkins, contralto, and John Holland, violinist. The entire recital will be devoted to Italian composers, ranging chronologically from Andrea Gabrielli, of the sixteenth century, down to Pietro Mascagni.
21"Iolanthe" was mightily well done last Friday and Saturday evenings at the New York Athletic Club by the Amateur Operatic Association under the musical and stage direction of Louis R. Dressler. The cast as announced in this column two weeks ago was changed in only one respect, Grant Odell assuming the rôle of the "Earl of Mount Ararat" in place of William F. Brown. All of the principals did excellent work, surpassing that of most of the professionals who have appeared in this operetta in New York. Frank Molten's patter song in the second act was marvelous in rapidity and distinctness of utterance. Grant Odell's make-up was immense, and his singing was not surpassed by any. Fred Parker was a creditable "Earl Tolloller," and Jack Shaw did good work on the stage as "Private Willis" and behind the scenes as stage manager. Miss Louise Cowles and Richie Ling made love to perfection, and sang and acted admirably. Their part of the work has never been done better in Gotham. Mrs. Frank Molten's rich contralto was heard to decided advantage in the title rôle, and Mrs. Emma W. Smith was a substantial and dignified "Fairy Queen." The choruses went with a snap that was delightful.
23Purdon Robinson met with a rousing reception last evening at Historical Hall, Brooklyn, at one of the Phelps-Grosse chamber music concerts. His high baritone voice has a velvety quality that is extremely delicious, and his style is eminently effective and artistic.
25The Manuscript Society held another of its delightful private meetings last Saturday evening at the Gilsey House. Incredulous folk, who don't believe that any good thing can come out of Nazareth, should attend one of these meetings and hear the original works of American composers at their initial performance. Every doubting Thomas thus far has been promptly convinced even against his will.
27The Lincoln Club, of Long Island City, enjoyed its first entertainment last Wednesday evening at the club house. It is very easy to understand why the affair was a great big success when the names of the artists are given. Mrs. John P. Gray, soprano; Miss Julia Wickham, contralto; Dr. Carl E. Martin, bass, and Mrs. Carl E. Martin, pianist. There was one more performer, who tried hard to make the audience laugh; but modesty almost prevents me from stating that his name is ADDISON F. ANDREWS.
29A Protest From Detroit.
30Editors Musical Courier:
31DETROIT, Mich., April 5, 1893.
32THE prizes offered by the National Conservatory of Music for the best symphony concerto, suite and cantata being awarded last Thursday in New York, I noticed the prize of $500 for the best symphony was awarded to Mr. Henry Schoenfield, of Chicago, and see by the "Dictionary of Music," published by Scribner, that this gentleman was born 1856, that making him thirty-seven years of age. One of the requirements of the competition states that competitors must be under thirty-five years of age.
34Is the above book quoted from correct in stating this gentleman was born on the above date? If so, his composition should not have been awarded the prize.
36In justice to the American composers under thirty-five years of age who may have sent manuscript compositions to the committee for examination, and with all due respect to the committee who made the awards, I feel if his age as the above date would make it had been known to them he would have received his just reward in having his manuscript returned.
38JOHN T. WOLCOTT.
40Richard Muller.—The Leipsic Arion has nominated its late director, Richard Müller, honorary director, with a continuation of his present salary for life.
42Aug. Horn.—The death of Aug. Horn, celebrated for his piano arrangements of classical and modern music, took place in Leipsic March 25 in his sixty-seventh year.
44The Udel Quartet.—The Vienna Udel Quartet, that gave concerts in the Saal Bechstein April 6, 7 and 8, brought as its accompanist an excellent artist, Carl Frühling.
46Paris Opera.—The performances of Miss Wyns in the rehearsals of "Deidamia" were so unsatisfactory that her contract with the Grand Opéra has been cancelled. She is, however, engaged for the Opéra Comique, to make her début in "Mignon." The tenor Van Dyck begins his engagement April 1. It is reported that the Opéra Comique will produce Gluck's "Iphigenia in Tauris."
48Lending a willing ear to genuine criticism is that to which I owe my best musical improvement.
49PURDON ROBINSON.
51MR. H. R. HUMPHRIES, choirmaster of St. James' Lutheran Church, Madison avenue and Seventy-third street, is one of those men whose home and family find no rival in musical, social or ambitious life-style. To speak of "children" stops discussion of recital, concert or organ loft topics; the word "home" calls a light to the eye no compliment can summon; at mention of "wife" the smile of triumph fades to a deep tenderness of expression, and the voice takes on an added warmth as it speaks of the sweet woman he married "in the Old Country, when we were both children."
53His home, a truly charming one on 128th street, is his "very own." His son, fulfilling all the expectations that proudest father could entertain, is at Cambridge preparing for the Episcopalian ministry, after having graduated at Trinity, Hartford, with highest honors. An earnest worker, his summers are spent in prisons and missions, where his rare oratorical gifts have already made him a welcome and noticeable feature. Musical also, he was a member of Dr. Gilbert's Trinity Chapel choir. Another son is preparing to be a doctor. The daughter, an extremely pretty and engaging young girl, has marked musical talent. Her father intends having her make music a serious study as soon as her school duties come to a graceful stopping place. Realizing fully the advantages of scholastic education, he yet wisely places before them the following out of an art talent, believing that one cannot too early commence to follow the route evidently planned by Providence in bestowing an art instinct.
55He decries with an earnestness born of regret for the great waste of talent he has seen in a large musical experience through parents' mistaken idea that music of all things, especially for a boy, is a thing to be shunned. "They inevitably drift back into it," he says, "minus the time and advantage of an early training. Many wrecks of humanity are thus made which might have been rich and valuable additions to musical life. Indeed much of the musician disaster which people dread, is the result of this bull headed driving of the young mind North, when born headed for the South.
57His little girl has a talent for painting and literature as well, but beyond a general direction of the artistic tendencies, he does not mean to dissipate the central talent in other directions. One has but to meet Mrs. Humphries to realize the power of womanly charm over fame and art seductions.
59A critic and excellent musician in Birmingham, England, his father was his first teacher. Sight reading of musical notes and the rudiments of a musical education were taught in the family side by side with print and arithmetic, so that at five the boy and his brother were singing solos from "The Messiah" without any idea of being prodigies.
61At eight he was singing in public, and singing he has gone through the world every waking hour of his life ever since. Parental training was supplemented by that of boy chorister, and later as member of an oratorio society, of which Sims Reeves was a star member. His first triumph was upon being invited to "substitute" for the famous tenor, who frequently after the "big solo," "Thou shalt dash them," vanished, leaving 2 guineas with which to pay a substitute. Mr. Humphries was the favorite for this distinction.
63Of Sims Reeves he says: "His was a rich, warm voice, sufficiently full to accord with oratorio sentiment, yet so flexible that he could color in the most marvelous and finished manner every shade and tint of the uttered harmony. It was this peculiar shading interpretation, breadth of insight, aside from the voice, which gave to this man his permanent fame. He had none of the phenomenal compass, sensational timbre or trick of effect which has made scores of more ephemeral vocal stars. His radiance was pure and unvarying. Never heard him sing 'high C' in my life, yet I scarcely ever heard him sing without crying. His 'Thy rebuke hath broken his heart,' 'Comfort ye,' 'Behold and see,' from the Messiah,' Händel's 'Deeper and deeper still,' 'Waft her angels through the skies,' from 'Jeptha,' were musical epochs in the souls of all who heard them understandingly."
65In an apartment house on Clinton place, then the social centre of the city, Antonio Barili, a half brother of Patti, gave expensive lessons and prepared elaborate concerts,
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