Scan 13
Musical Courier 1897-09-15: Vol 35 Iss 915, 1897
73 lines. Read by computer on 21 September 2026, twice; the two readings disagreed in places. Printed page 14. See the scan on archive.org.
1for this coming season Le Villi; or, The Elfin Dancers. This half program work by Puccini was first brought out at the Dalverme Theatre, Milan, in 1884, and Il Piccolo Haydn; or, Little Haydn, a one act opera, by Gaetano Cipollini, which was first produced at the Theatre Sociale Como, January 24, 1893. one of two readings
2for this coming season Le Villi; or, The Elfin Dancers. This half program work by Puccini was first brought out at the Dalverne Theatre, Milan, in 1884, and Il Piccolo Haydn; or, Little Haydn, a one act opera, by Gaetano Cipollini, which was first produced at the Theatre Sociale Como, January 24, 1893. one of two readings
4I understand that the business interests of the Savoy Theatre have been turned into a limited company. The policy of the house will be essentially the same as heretofore, and Mr. d'Oyly Carte, Mrs. d'Oyly Carte and their son will be joint managers. M. Carte will retire for some time on account of ill health and his son will act in his stead.
6The Queen has presented Mlle. Janotha with a Jubilee medal. This artist played last week before Her Majesty at Osborne, and has always been a favorite there. I believe she has used the Steinway piano in all these performances.
8Mr. J. M. Glover, who was one of the late Sir Augustus Harris' conductors and right-hand men, has composed a successful comic opera, entitled Regin'a, B.A., which was produced at Birmingham on Bank Holiday. It seems to bid fair to have the run of the provinces, and will be played at Brighton next week.
10Sir Arthur Sullivan is taking a holiday on the Continent to recuperate his health. It is rumored that he is contemplating composing a setting to the Vicar of Wakefield.
12The disposition on the part of the English people to give support to legitimate comic opera has not only led to revivals of that form of music and to the composition by some of our leading men of new works of that order, but has led enterprising managers to the belief that there is a public in London that will support grand opera in English. I understand that there is a scheme well forward which has for its object the giving of varied repertoires of the standard works of grand opera and opera comique at the Olympic Theatre, which is being redecorated and will be rechristened for the purpose.
14My readers will remember the season of Signor Lago, which took place four years ago this autumn, when he he introduced to London opera-goers Tschaikowsky's Eugenie Onegin. The Carl Rosa Company, it is thought, will meet with success at Covent Garden, and the company has the right, by arrangement with the heirs of the late Sir Augustus Harris, to produce the Wagner dramas, as well as all the other works in the repertory of that house. It is to be trusted that Rip Van Winkle will have a long run, but in case it does not I understand that not only the operas the Prentice Pillar and Catharine, of which I have spoken before, will be given, but Mr. Hedmont will put on other grand operas, of which he can either secure the rights or which are non-copyright here.
16Among the artists engaged for the classical concerts on Saturday afternoon at the Crystal Palace, which open October 9, are the prodigy pianist, Master Bruno Steinld, Mme. Blanche Marchesi, Miss Maude McCarthy, the clever violinist; Miss Clara Butt, Mr. Santley, Miss Fanny Davies, Mme. Ella Russell, Mr. Ten Have, a pupil of Ysaye; Mr. Eugen d'Albert, Mr. John Child, Mlle. Zelie de Lussan, Mr. Gregorowitsch, Mr. Edward Lloyd, Herr Robert Hausmann, the 'cellist, and the young pianist, M. Gabrilowitsch.
18A very successful performance of As You Like It, by Mr. Augustin Daly's company, took place at Stratford-on-Avon Thursday afternoon. The play commenced in the open air, but rain coming on a change was made to the Memorial Theatre, where Ada Rehan, according to the press, made a great success.
20Among the callers at this office this week have been Mr. Maxson, organist and choirmaster of the Central Congregational Church, Philadelphia; Mr. E. F. Kreiser, organist of Grand Avenue Methodist Church, Kansas City; Mr. D. D. Comey, organist of the Baptist church, Fall River. These three gentlemen have been enjoying instruction under M. Guilmant, of Paris, and were en route for America. Another caller was Miss Mary N. Berry, of St. Louis, who has been studying abroad with Mme. Anna Lankow, and had the pleasure of attending the first cycle at Bayreuth with Mrs. H. B. Chamberlain and our Mr. Otto Floersheim. Miss Berry returns home much pleased with her European visit.
22The Carl Rosa Opera Company opened its autumn season at Liverpool last week. On the opening night Carmen was chosen, which gave an opportunity for the American mezzo soprano Mlle. Théo Dorré, who, according to our correspondent, achieved a success. Mr. Brozel, a young Italian, who sang with the company last year, was the Don José; Signor Maggi, another Italian, the Escamillo. The other members of the company do not call for mention in this connection. The orchestra and chorus were hardly up to their usual form, but their performances were fairly good under the conductorship of Mr. Claude Jaquinot.
24On Tuesday evening they introduced La Bohème. This gave Miss Cecile Lorraine, whose real name is, I believe, Miss Riley, of Boston, who had some experience in church work in Philadelphia, an opportunity. That she used it to the best advantage is open to some question. Our critic thought that the part did not suit her particularly well, and, although she was an agreeable singer, she lacks experience, and time only will show whether she has the qualifications to make a great artist or not. The part of Muzetta was taken by Miss Bessie Macdonald, an American, who made herself a favorite with the company and the public last year.
26Wednesday evening was reserved for the most interesting début of any of the artists they have introduced this year. This was Mr. Barron Berthald, in the part of Tannhäuser. Mr. Berthald's pure tenor voice enabled him to give a dramatic reading of the part seldom seen outside of London, and his expressive singing made him an immediate favorite. His fine acting in the Tournament Scene and his pathetic return in the last act were characterized by great intensity of feeling. His métier evidently lies in dramatic roles. Miss Rita Elandi, also an American, sang the part of Elizabeth, and Mr. Ludwig that of Wolfram. The minor parts were fairly well taken. Herr Eckhold conducted. The chorus and orchestra showed improvement on previous performances.
28On Thursday a matinee of La Bohème was given, and in the evening the Bohemian Girl, and Maritana on Friday, when a large audience at these performances showed distinctly that these two evergreens still have ample following in the provinces. In the latter Mr. Berthald, in the part of Don Casar, showed he could sing lighter roles with facility—a thing little dreamt of when we saw his interpretation of Tannhäuser.
30Saturday afternoon Gounod's Faust was drawn upon, when Miss Elandi sang the part of Marguerite to the Faust of Mr. Brozel. Mr. Lemrière Pringle was the Mephistopheles, and his work on this occasion indicated that we may look for very good things from him.
32La Bohème was repeated in the evening. The report of their work in Dublin I will give in my next letter.
34SEPTEMBER 4, 1897.
36Mr. Hedmont produces his opera Rip Van Winkle at Her Majesty's Theatre to-morrow evening. The cast does not include any well-known names, except his own in the title role, and that of Mr. Homer Lind, as Derick von Staus. Mr. Hedmont has, however, carefully selected artists who have talent, and while individually they will not be of much value as "draws," he hopes the ensemble they have been able to obtain will be a potent feature in attracting the public. Mr. S. P. Waddington will be the conductor, and an orchestra requisite for the demands of the music has been retained. Nothing has been spared either in the mounting, and it is earnestly hoped that at last there will be support enough given to the performance of a serious opera, so that it may have a good run.
38On account of dates clashing The Wizard of the Nile at the Shaftesbury has been postponed until the 6th inst. Unfortunately, this work can only be run at this house a few weeks, as Messrs. Williamson & Musgrove, the Australian managers, have secured the theatre for a run of one of Mrs. Brown Potter's successes, enjoyed at their theatres in Melbourne, Sydney and other places.
40In my mention of the people who had been honored by having conferred upon them the Gold Medal of the Philharmonic Society I inadvertently omitted the name of Madame Albani, who was given this distinction the past season.
42A new work, which is attracting considerable notice in the musical world, is A Welsh Singer, by Allan Raine, to be published in America, I understand, by the Appletons.
44It is reported that Signor Mancinelli's Hero and Leander, which was given at the Norwich Festival last year as an oratorio, is already booked for performance at several Italian theatres the coming season. The Weekly Sun says that this composer-conductor is collaborating with Mozzuccato on another opera.
46Among the foreign soloists who expect to visit us this coming season are Stavenhagen, Busoni, M. Gabrilowitsch, the Russian pianist, and M. Gregorowitsch, the violinist, whom my readers will remember in America last year.
48Herr Georg Liebling, from Berlin, will give an orchestral concert in St. James' Hall November 8, to be followed by a piano concert later.
50Among the tours which Mr. Vert has arranged for the autumn are those of Dr. Richter with his orchestra, the Meister Glee Singers, Madame Albani and the composer Edward Grieg.
52I understand that Lady Hallé has made arrangements through Mr. Vert for her first visit to America next year.
54The Carl Rosa Opera Company has been continuing its work in Dublin the past week, the works performed being Carmen, Faust, Taunhäuser, La Bohème, Maritana, and Il Trovatore. As I spoke about the artists and the performance last week there is nothing special to add.
56I have received word from Mr. W. C. Carl of his success in Stockholm. He expects to be in London early next week.
58Madame d'Arona left London on Wednesday for Paris. I have just received reports of the playing of young Marc Hambourg in Melbourne. These speak highly of his work, and the improvement he has made during the two years since he first visited the colonies.
60Mme. Frances Saville, one of the prima donnas at Covent Garden the past season, will sing the part of Mimi in La Bohème, in German, at Vienna the coming season. After a series of engagements there she will make a tour in Russia.
62Mme. Alice Esty, formerly with the Carl Rosa Company, is now studying with Herr Kneise, of Bayreuth, the role of Isolde, preparatory to singing the part in English next month at Covent Garden.
64I have just heard of the death of Mrs. Charles Lockey, whose demise at the age of seventy-six is announced at Hastings. Like the eminent tenor, her husband, she was a member of the original cast of The Elijah, first given at the Birmingham Festival in 1846 under Mendelssohn. She sang for many years as contralto in duets with her sister—Anna Williams—and afterward attained some renown as a soloist.
66Signor Sarasate has decided not come to London for the forthcoming season. It is understood that he has recently come in for a large fortune.
68The following Wagner operas will be given by the Carl Rosa Company in English at Covent Garden during their autumn season: Die Walküre, Siegfried, Tristan, Tannhäuser, Lohengrin and Die Meistersinger.
70Mr. Plunket Greene's tour of forty-five recitals, which I announced last week, will take place in Canada, British Columbia and California. Mr. Greene returns to England in January.
72Miss Mary N. Berry, a mezzo soprano from St. Louis,
The computer misreads some letters and numbers. Where a name matters to you, read the scan.