Scan 5
Musical Courier 1896-09-16: Vol 33 Iss 863, 1896
103 lines. Read by computer on 21 September 2026, twice; the two readings disagreed in places. Printed page 6. See the scan on archive.org.
1like all other myths its one interpreter, Gluck; after whom there was nothing left for anybody and nothing left to be said.
3And now Mlle. Muelle, dressmaker in chief to the Opera Comique, declares that Delna dressed the part too long, whereby the many strangers within the gates who do not read classic legends are at a loss to decide whether Orphée was lady or gentleman, and so, such is fame.
5A sort of dress rehearsal will be given Orphée here before its final début in grand opera. The acts will be sung, one each, at the Sunday concerts before the operatic representation. Here will be the union of lyric and dramatic in classic song and all ought to be happy. You all know, I suppose, that the rôle was originally created by a boy soprano voice, and that Mme. Pauline Viardot was the first woman to assume the part, thereby, in fact, allying her immortality with that of the composer. The tenor Alvarez will sing it at the concerts here.
7Don Juan, after its ten years' absence, is being rehearsed. The De Reszkés and Lassalle sang in it then. The charming Renaud will be the new Don Juan, Mme. Caron Donna Anna. What a shame that woman cannot sing and what a shame that they cannot replace her!
9They say that there is a plague of mediocre Mégis- tophélèses for Faust. Since Faure and later Gailhard nobody has been able to claim attention. Even Edouard de Reszké, they say, failed to give the devil his due. one of two readings
10They say that there is a plague of mediocre Méphistophéléses for Faust. Since Faure and later Gailhard nobody has been able to claim attention. Even Edouard de Reszké, they say, failed to give the devil his due. one of two readings
12The average of impression about Bayreuth brought back to Paris, both by Americans and French, is one of disappointment. No one can tell just what is the matter, but that it is not up to the standard, or to expectation perhaps, is certain.
14One French writer, while he cannot too highly extol the genius of the music, runs holes through the Tetralogy poem in a way that is chilling. He mocks the "efficacy" of the famous Ring, which, like some extolled patent medicine, destroys everyone who touches it. He shows up many of the characters in a despicable and ungod-like light, much of which is deserved. He speaks of Wotan as a most unworthy, undignified and contemptible person (which is true—he is one of the most horrid old men on the stage), Frika a vulgar concierge (after which nothing remains to be said), and poor punished Brünnhilde the most decent creature in the whole miserable gang (in which last I wholly agree with him, see THE MUSICAL COURIER March 18).
16Jean de Reszké is going to be so much in love with his new wife that he says the only thing that will possibly tear him from his Poland home this year will be his duty to help and support by his talents his friend Mr. Grau. Than which what could be more amiable!
18SALARIES.
20Discussion in regard to too high salaries for artists has reached even Paris, and the universal call of the modest musical papers is for reduction or at least arrêt in the dizzy ascending scale which even in a country of francs puts entertainment out of the reach of people not well endowed with money.
22A recent list reports Lassalle as getting 11,000 frs. a month in the past. Jean de Reszké 6,000 and Edouard 5,000 frs. a month; others yearly salaries from 15,000 frs. to 48,000 frs., of which Plançon had 24,000 frs., Delmas 15,000 frs., Mme. Adini 30,000 frs.; dancers from 3,600 to 40,000 frs. a year. In the Opéra Comique salaries have run from 2,000 to 8,000 frs. a month, Van Zandt and Heilbron having had the highest; Maurel 8,000 frs. a month, Galla Maria 7,000 frs., Bertini 3,000 frs. In the Comédie Française comedians got from 40,000 to 65,000 frs. a year, of which Coquelin had 60,000 frs., Mouret Sully 58,000 frs. To-day "sociétaires" have 20,000 frs. fixed salary, with Government subvention and extras. Stars of the various small theatres have from 150 to 800 frs. a representation, or to 3,000 frs. for a month. Stars of the café concerts have from 1,000 to 25,000 frs. a month!
24ROYALTY AND MUSIC.
26Much is being made over the story, true or false, of the Princess of Wales going to Bayreuth with a lady of the court, the two dressed in English travel costume to preserve incognita. Why not? Why should not poor royalty have some pleasure as well as the rest of us?
28The only thing I see out of the way in the matter is the "English travel costume," for of all the homely, awkward, unbecoming and stupid created things is the travel costume of an English woman. The Princess, being a woman of taste and elegance, however, would be apt to have hers modified to meet trim taste at least. Any way, not only Princess but Prince of Wales is passionately fond of Wagner especially and music in general. Indeed public opinion is being brought to bear to coax the latter to intercede for lower prices everywhere for musical entertainments, and he is frequently told that had his good father lived—a man who really adored music and did much to popularize the classic masters—things would not be as they are now.
30The musical qualities of the Austrian lady who is to become the wife of the French Pretender have often been remarked upon, as well as the fact that she actually composes, and that Patti has sung her romances. History abounds in examples of royal musicians. Charlemagne it was who established regular musical instruction first in France. Charles VI. played the clavecin, Frederick II. the flute, Richard Cœur de Lion was a first-class troubadour, and now I believe this Montenegro family has a musician.
32For that matter, Livie played the lyre, Héliogobale the organ, Caligula composed, Adrian played the cithare and would no doubt have enjoyed the autoharp. Titus both sang and played; Nero was a tenor.
34Surprise at the Princess' going to the opera makes one think of some unwilling piano pupils, who, passing by the window of King Louis of Bavaria and hearing him play the piano, looked at each other in dismay, saying: "What! Does a king have to play a piano, too!"
36Widor and Paul Vidal are candidates for the position as professor of composition at the Conservatoire, a position made vacant by the démission of M. Massenet.
38(By the way, Massenet wishes it emphasized that he is not J. Massenet, but Massenet. Please remember this everybody in writing to or about him. Leave off the "J.")
40The Chimes of Normandy has passed its 1,630th representation. On the anniversary occasion 6,000 frs. were garnered. What a success! And, really, the piece deserves it as given here.
42A Paris editor is issuing a new edition of La Marche Slaves et Francs, by Bagnat, in view of the coming Russian fêtes. It is written for orchestra, piano and band. A march in Slave rhythm and other motives, the Russian Hymn and the Marseillaise are included in the book.
44The Exposition of Music and Theatre at the Palais de l'Industrie is having success. Every Friday musical festivals are given and the programs are exceptionally interesting. The festivals are devoted to different composers. Saint-Saëns and Hillelacher have already been treated. M. Kerrion is chef d'orchestre and the work is most excellent. Various soloists of merit assist. A Spanish soprano, Mme. Ibanez, has established a name thus; as also Mlle. Kerrion, sister of the director.
46On Friday last quite a sensation was created through the playing of an étude, Paganini-Liszt, by Madame da Preinsler da Silva. This young artist, who is very beautiful withal, showed an impeccable virtuosity, charm, elegance of style and a delightful sense of shading in the playing of this brilliant piece. She was warmly applauded by a large and brilliant audience. She is passing the summer at Montmorency, and, by the way, on Rue Grétry.
48Among the manufacturers at the exposition the names were noted of Pleyel, Wolff & Cie., J. Thibouville-Lamy et Cie., Couesnon & Cie., Bernardel, Dutrech, music boxes, mechanical instruments, Strausky Brothers, Flocke, Prévoist, Mustel, Alexandre and many others. More anon. one of two readings
49Among the manufacturers at the exposition the names were noted of Pleyel, Wolff & Cie., J. Thibouville-Lamy et Cie., Couesnon & Cie., Bernardel, Dutrech, music boxes, mechanical instruments, Strausky Brothers, Flocke, Prévost, Mustel, Alexandre and many others. More anon. one of two readings
51The sole strangers at the exposition are Cateura, Gimenez & Izabel, from Barcelona, representing a new piano, or rather a new system of pedals, of which M. Cateura is the inventor. The idea is, by use of these pedals or dampers to create different timbres or intentions in the instrument, making the interpretation of various subjects more possible than ever to players.
53The grand opera enterprise formed in Belleville, the laborers' district of Paris, is working to a marvel so far.
55La Juive, Guillaume Tell, Robert le Diable have already been mounted and played in admirable fashion. Good enough idea! There cannot be too much music. Everybody is hungry for music as for love. All they want is the right sort for the right person, and everything goes right.
57There is an immense hand-painted fan down on the Avenue de l'Opéra representing a whole maitrise or boy choir in the full exercise of their functions; all clad in their little surplices and sabots, one of their number playing the little harmonium, all singing away with that innocent, unconscious, concentrated attention characteristic of the French artist at work.
59The companion fan represents the same angel band, in same surplices and sabots, hooking apples as hard as they can pocket them from a good-natured tree-top over a difficult looking garden wall. The dramatic moment is there, however. The French dog of his master, all bones and hair and rage, has just caught the situation and is clambering the stones toward the pair of hemispheres nearest to him. What to do, and whether to save the apples or get hurt, is written in admirable consternation over the faces of the young musicians.
61Miss Margaret Reid has reached Paris after her London season. Reports and impressions are strongly in her favor, and the chances are that she will be heard in Covent Garden again next year. Albani, Eames, Melba and Margaret Reid are cited "the leading prima donnas." This is much, as Miss Reid is very young.
63On the Isle of Man the other day, when Trilby was struck by fire, the situation was saved by the orchestra's playing a lively air, which saved a panic.
65Miss Emma Stanley, a young American who has been engaged in the Theatre Royal at Shent, Belgium, makes her début in October in La Juive. Success to her! She is a good, clever girl and earnest student.
67Mme. de Jouvencel, who has been en villégiature at St.-Honoré-les-Bains, returns this week to Paris. She went expressly as a convalescent for tranquillity. I fancy she found it, as she describes the fleas the only live objects in the place. She is restored, which is the main thing.
69Madame attributes one great part of vocal inferiority of the day to the fact that vocal students all "sing out too much and too long." They abuse the vocal muscles and do no mental work. They work all the bloom off their voices.
71An old Polonaise song, Poland is Not Dead Yet, has been prohibited as "a menace to Germany." What next?
73Sara Bernhardt has interpreted seventy rôles since her début. And remember her theatre work is not half of her life.
75M. de Trabadelo is the first professor back in the field. He returned August 1 and has his hands full already.
77M. de Vaux Royer, of Pennsylvania, has arrived in Paris and is stopping at 86 Rue Lafayette. He is working over violin studies, studying French and waiting for M. Marsick to come back to town. M. Royer was pupil of Van Gilden and Hille in Philadelphia, of Ysaye in Brussels, of Wirt and Halir in Berlin. He was prepared to enter the Berlin Conservatoire as pupil of Joachim when ill health compelled his return home. He has taught and played in concert much since and is now back in Europe.
79The Society of Composers here has arranged a competition for the year 1896.
801. String quartet, 500 frs.
812. Sonata for piano and violoncello, 500 frs.
823. Motet for voices with organ accompaniment, 200 frs.
834. Sextet in three parts for wind instruments, 300 frs.
84The first prize is given by the Beaux Arts, second by Pleyel, Wolff & Cie., third by M. Ernest Lamy, a legacy, fourth by the society.
86There is a nice article on The Invisible Orchestra in the last week of August Guide Musical, Brussels.
88Germany, one of the most warlike nations in the world, was the mother of the modern symphony, and Sparta, certainly not a peacemaker, was mother of the choral chant. Well, maybe it was the influence of music in their savage breasts that made them the docile creatures they are now.
90Napoleon said that a statesman's heart should be in his head. That sort of thing always works peace.
92FANNIE EDGAR THOMAS.
94… SIGNOR GIUSEPPE …
95DEL PUENTE,
96The Baritone.
97OPERA AND CONCERTS.
98Vocal School: 1726 Spring Garden, Philadelphia, Pa.
99Broad Street Conservatory of Music,
100GILBERT RAYNOLDS COMBS, DIRECTOR,
1011331 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, Pa.
102ILLUSTRATED CATALOGUE FREE.
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