Scan 13
Musical Courier 1896-07-15: Vol 33 Iss 854, 1896
78 lines. Read by computer on 23 September 2026, twice; the two readings disagreed in places. Printed page 14. See the scan on archive.org.
1to great enthusiasm in Is not His Word, and some of the other solos. Mme. Clara Samuell took the second part in the duet Zion lifteth her hands, and in Lift thine eyes, and Miss Jessie King, Messrs. R. Grice and W. H. Brereton sang in the concertel numbers.
3It was fortunate that Mme. Blanche Marchesi transferred her second recital from the small Queen's Hall to St. James' Hall, for the former would scarcely have held the large audience who assembled to hear the French artist on June 25. Mme. Marchesi literally charmed her audience with her perfect singing. Her voice is exquisitely developed; training here has done its utmost and has accomplished success. Her upper register is clear and limpid, the chest register firm and unaffected. In her lower middle voice there is a want of clearness, which to some persons may be distasteful, but which in our opinion gives a sensuous tone that is far from being displeasing. There is in her voice none of the "angelic" quality such as Melba possesses, and which finds its prototype in the boy soprano. In homely and pathetic songs Marchesi is at her best. Brahms' lullaby, Sandmännchen, she sings à ravir. Several songs were encored, and every face in the audience gave evidence of just appreciation. Mme. Marchesi's collaborateur, Herr Heinrich Kiefer, is a cellist with exceptional skill. His technic and tone are good, and his playing is refined and intelligent.
5Wednesday was the last opportunity for this season to hear Mme. Patti. In her genre she has been unequalled, and the public appreciated the few opportunities she gives of enjoying her exquisite singing of the old and well-known arias. These might, perhaps, be a little tedious in this novelty-craving age, but she sings them with such charm that the public still waxes enthusiastic over her art. The Albert Hall was full to overflowing, a very brilliant sight. Mme. Patti gave Luce di quest anima, cavatina from Donizetti's Linde di Chamounix, and Schubert's Ave Maria, followed by encores, Home, Sweet Home, and Comin' through the Rye. The most perfect enjoyment was the duet from Faust, with Mr. Ben Davies. Mesdames Fisk and Gomez and Mr. Santley were all highly appreciated. Piano and violin solos were given by Mr. Albert Lockwood and Miss Ethel Barnes. The former displayed much musical intelligence, as well as a fine technic. The Meister Glee Singers wound up with Caldicott's quaint quartet, The House that Jack Built.
7It is interesting to note that Mr. John Dunn, who gave his first concert in St. James' Hall on Saturday afternoon, June 27, is the only British born soloist who was engaged by the Philharmonic Society this year. The good opinions gained by him on that occasion were fully confirmed on Saturday, when he played the Paganini concerto in D (first movement), for which he was encored. The Trille du Diable, Tartini, and the adagio from Spohr's eleventh concerto were both played in a conscientious manner, and showed a good deal of artistic feeling. Mr. Dunn seemed more at home in Paganini's Double Harmonic Variations than in the impossible Moto Perpetuo in octaves which followed. Miss Adelina de Lara assisted the concert giver in Sinding's charming suite in A minor, and played several solos, one of which, Popper's Spinnlied, was rendered delicately and well. Mme. Gomez contributed two songs.
9Mr. Hirwin Jones always scores a great success at his annual concert, and this year has proved no exception to the rule, Steinway Hall on the 23d ult. being filled with a large and fashionable audience.
11Mr. Gallrein's concert contained a well chosen program, executed by such well-known artists that it needs hardly any comment as to its excellence. The concert giver played Corelli's sonata for violoncello and piano with Mr. Hamish MacCunn, and Rubinstein's Sonata, op. 18, with Herr Reisenauer, and some solos by Bach, MacCunn and Popper—all most interesting performances. Herr Reisenauer played Chopin and Liszt for his soli, with all his exquisite technic. Mme. Amy Sherwin sang Clutsam's Wedding Song, and gave as an encore a German song which I fancy is called Dornröschen. Her German declamation shows that she has had the advantage of Julius Stockhausen's teaching. Herr Hugo Heinz gave songs of Brahms and Oscar Meyer; this latter composer's songs will, I hope, become better known after his concert, which is to take place next week. They are very good.
13Miss Nellie Rowe gave an excellent concert at 7 St. James' square on June 24, by permission of Lord Egerton of Tatton and the Duchess of Buckingham. This Australian contralto's beautiful voice has not lost its richness, but she has gained much in effectiveness since we last heard her. Mr. Oscar Meyer's charming setting of Du bist wie eine Blume, Miss Maude V. White's A Youth once Loved a Maiden, Fauré's Le Secret, and Quando a te lieta were given most artistically.
15By command of the Queen a state concert was given on Monday night at Buckingham Palace. Their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales, with their Royal Highnesses Princess Victoria and Princess Maud of Wales, attended by the Countess of Macclesfield, the Duke of Abercorn, the Earl of Gosford, Lord Colville of Culross, the Hon. Henry Stonor and Major-General Stanley Clarke, escorted by a detachment of the Royal Horse Guards, arrived at the garden entrance of the palace from Marlborough House.
17Among those present were His Royal Highness the Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, Duke and Duchess of Connaught and Strathearn, Prince and Princess Christian of Schleswig-Holstein, and Princess Victoria and Prince Christian Victor of Schleswig-Holstein; Princess Louise, Marchioness of Lorne, and the Marquis of Lorne; Duchess of Albany, accompanied by Princess Elizabeth of Waldeck, Duke and Duchess of York, Duchess of Fife and the Duke of Fife, Duke of Cambridge, Duchess of Teck and Duke of Teck, Prince and Princess Edward of Saxe-Weimar, Prince of Leiningen, Princess Victor of Hohenlohe, and two Countesses Gleichen, Prince and Princess Adolphus of Teck, the Thakore Sahib and Maharane of Gondal, Prince Victor, Prince Frederick, and the Princess Duleep Singh, and the Nawab Sultan ul Mulk.
19The following was the program:
21Coronation March…………………………………………..Meyerbeer one of two readings
22Coronation March ………………………………………….. Meyerbeer one of two readings
23Aria, Ombra mai fu…………………………………………..Händel one of two readings
24Aria, Ombra mai fu ………………………………………….. Händel one of two readings
25Madame Eames.
26Song, L'Addio…………………………………………………Mozart one of two readings
27Song, L'Addio …………………………………………….. Mozart one of two readings
28Chorus, Gypsy Life…………………………………………..Schumann one of two readings
29Chorus, Gypsy Life ……………………………………… Schumann one of two readings
30The Choral Class of the Royal College of Music.
31Air, Mignon…………………………………………………Thomas one of two readings
32Air, Mignon …………………………………………….. Thomas one of two readings
33Madame Mantelli.
34Chant d'Amour, Valkyrie…………………………………….Wagner one of two readings
35Chant d'Amour, Valkyrie ………………………………. Wagner one of two readings
36Signor Alvarez.
37Festival March……………………………………………….Clement Harris one of two readings
38Festival March …………………………………………….. Clement Harris one of two readings
39(Composed in honor of the wedding of Her Royal Highness Princess Maud of Wales.)
40Conducted by the Composer.
41Chanson, La Cloche……………………………………….Saint-Saëns one of two readings
42Chanson, La Cloche ……………………………………… Saint-Saëns one of two readings
43Madame Eames.
44Song, The Lost Chord………………………………………Sullivan one of two readings
45Song, The Lost Chord ……………………………………. Sullivan one of two readings
46M. Plancq.
47Quartet, Un di se ben………………………………………Verdi one of two readings
48Quartet, Un di se ben ……………………………………. Verdi one of two readings
49Madame Eames, Madame Mantelli, Signor Alvarez, M. Plancq.
50God Save the Queen.
51Conductor, Sir Walter Parratt.
53The orchestra and chorus (consisting of 160 performers) comprised Her Majesty's private band, assisted by the leading members of the Philharmonic Society's orchestra, and the chorus selected from the students of the Royal College of Music.
55The Kneisel Quartet may be said to have conquered musical London, so slow as a rule to recognize the merits of artists whose works and names are almost unknown here. At their concert on Thursday, unfortunately the last this season, the well-filled hall showed how their fame has spread, and if they visit us next year, and their agent makes their coming universally known, there is no doubt whatever of their receiving a very warm welcome. We have quartets in London almost without end, but there are few in the world to equal the one which has come to us from Boston. Long association and training in the same schools has placed these players in complete accord with one another, and all who have been so fortunate as to hear them in London have been loud in their praise of the sweetness of tone, delicacy of shading and refinement of interpretation to which they have attained.
57Their program contained Beethoven's Quartet in C sharp minor, Mendelssohn's in D major, and the theme and variations from Schubert's quartet in D minor. Messrs. Kneisel, Roth, Svecenski and Schroeder sailed to-day on the Campania, and we all join in wishing them bon voyage and a speedy return to our shores. I cannot recall any musicians who have visited us of late years whose success has been so emphatic as that of the Kneisel Quartet, and it is absolutely certain that it is a success which will continue as long as they can be persuaded to visit us, because it is based on the firm foundation of true musical worth.
59WILL OF SIR AUGUSTUS HARRIS.
61By his will, which is dated April 29 last, Sir Augustus Harris appoints as his executors his wife, Lady Harris, and his brother-in-law, Mr. Frank B. Rendle. The will commences by leaving it to Lady Harris to select from his property such souvenirs as she may decide, and to present the same in his name to such of his friends as she knows he cared for, and who cared for him, and he gives her absolute discretion with regard to the same. The will then gives the executors absolute power and discretion either to continue and carry on for such period as they may determine all or any of the various operatic, theatrical and other businesses in which he was engaged, or from time to time to dispose of the same or any part or parts thereof as they may think fit. He bequeaths to Lady Harris all the gold, silver and other articles which have been presented to him, and also all his household furniture, and all his horses and carriages, and he leaves the residue of his estate as to one equal half part to Lady Harris, and as to the remaining half in trust for his daughter, Miss Florence Nellie Harris.
63The executors find it necessary, in order to enable them to deal with the various pressing matters of business that require immediate attention, to obtain probate at once, without waiting for the preparation of the various inventories and valuations of the property, which, on account of their magnitude, will take a considerable time to complete. They have, therefore, arranged with the authorities at Somerset House to grant probate in the first instance in respect of £23,677 2s. 9d., being the balances standing to the credit of the late Sir Augustus Harris' drawing accounts at his bankers. The inventories and valuations of the remaining property will be completed as soon as possible, when the further affidavits will be made and the additional duty paid.
65ALBERT HALL CONDUCTORSHIP.
67Dr. John Frederick Bridge, one of the most genial and popular men in the profession in England, has been appointed as the third conductor of the now world-famous Royal Choral Society. He has always had success in conducting choral bodies, and usually gets splendid work from amateurs, more through his humor than anything else.
69He is a native of Oldbury, where he was born on December 5, 1844. He studied first with his father, John Bridge, lay clerk of Rochester Cathedral, and afterward with Mr. J. Hopkins, of Rochester, and Sir John Goss, of St. Paul's. For six years he was organist of Manchester Cathedral and lecturer at Owens College, but in 1875 he became permanent deputy to the venerable James Turle, and afterward titular organist of Westminster Abbey, where he has officiated for twenty-one years. He took his degree (by examination) as Mus. Doc. Oxon. in 1874; in 1890 he became Gresham professor, and he has acted as examiner for musical degrees at three of our universities.
71Dr. Bridge is a prolific composer, his work embracing oratorios and cantatas written for the musical festivals, as well as part songs, services and anthems. He is a professor at the Royal College of Music, and in his Gresham lectures has given to the world much valuable information as a result of his exhaustive researches in some directions.
73The best wishes of the musical world will naturally be extended to Dr. Bridge in his carrying on the work so ably done by our late Sir Joseph Barnby. The choir has been brought to a high state of efficiency, and its continuance has a far-reaching influence for the good of art.
75OPERA AT COVENT GARDEN.
77"In composing Tristan I threw myself with complete
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