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Musical Courier 1897-11-24: Vol 35 Iss 925, 1897
74 lines. Read by computer on 26 September 2026. No printed page number was found. See the scan on archive.org.
1Miss Lillian Butz.
3THERE can never be a more important moment in a young artist's career than the moment when she stands for the first time before a large and critical audience. This is the moment toward which her dreams and hopes have tended; this moment is to her what the first ball is to a society girl; she may know with reasonable certainty from now on whether she is to be a success or failure, whether a wall flower in the musical world or a rose gradually opening into fuller bloom.
5Fortunate indeed is the young artist who passes this crucial test successfully, who awakens the interest of the audience by her manner and appearance before she sings a note, whose modesty, intelligence and training are perceptible in the pose, the glance, the ensemble which convey a subtle impression of power. Fortunate indeed, for if her voice be equal to the exacting demands of a cultured modern audience there will be little further question of her stepping onward from one musical triumph to another.
7No more fortunate début has recently been made than that of Miss Lillian Butz, concerning whom a few facts have been gained that should interest all Americans. Miss Butz's début before a brilliant audience in Brussels was one to satisfy the most critical taste. A famous singer said of her before she came on the stage: "A débutante; I am sorry for her." A few moments later, as the singer watched the slender young girl standing quietly upon the stage waiting for the orchestra to begin its accompaniment to a difficult aria, she said, "I am not sorry for her; Miss Butz will be a success."
9Her words were soon justified; a storm of applause broke forth from the audience, congratulations were numerous, flowers were showered upon the stage. A well merited triumph had been gained by the lovely young American. And in a far away Ohio home the musically gifted parents of a gifted daughter were to rejoice in knowing that one American girl had passed unscathed through the trials of foreign study. For an opening success like that of Miss Butz has its lesson for American girls. To reach this point of success meant the sacrifice of many smaller pleasures; meant a constant and unremitting attention to study; meant the careful attention to everyday living, without which no voice can be kept pure and sweet.
11Miss Butz, it is true, had certain advantages to aid her in her foreign studies. She came of musical ancestry, her father and mother being well known in Ohio as the directors of the Dayton, Ohio, College of Music, incorporated under State laws. Their children are all possessed of musical talent. Miss Lillian Butz herself was carefully educated at an excellent private school, and in her special study of Latin laid the foundation of those linguistic attainments which have been of so much value abroad. Her French, German and Italian are correct, and give added charm to the modern songs of Brahms, Tchaikowsky, Grieg, Massenet, Chaminade, &c., as well as to Italian arias and scenas.
13Her voice is a fresh, clear soprano of fine timbre, and well adapted to an extended repertory. Foreign critics speak especially of its delightful timbre, and also of her clear and beautiful enunciation and artistic phrasing. A certain dignity of style, both in voice and manner, a dramatic temperament and intense musical feeling seem to incline her especially to operatic and oratorio music. Instead of being hampered, as so many young singers are, by orchestral accompaniments, she so forgets herself in the delight of the music itself that she becomes but a part of the volume of sound. This absorption in the true spirit of music belongs only to what may be called the musical aristocracy—to that small upper circle which has shed lustre over the annals of music from Catalani, Pasta and Malibran to the few great cantatrices who are queens of the modern stage. In a young singer this evidence of a fine musical nature is worthy of note as arguing well for future triumphs.
15The true musical temperament of Miss Butz shows still further in the more than ordinary individuality with which she invests the old time favorite arias and songs. She brings to her interpretation the delightful freshness of a purely artistic nature. Her own feeling is felt by the audience and her artistic interpretation has been appreciated by artists wherever she has sung. For Miss Butz's début was not the only moment of success. There have been many European appearances since her début, when her earnest feeling and high artistic finish have commanded praise.
17The secret of Miss Butz's sudden success in Brussels—it is well to recapitulate—is no doubt the fact that she went abroad with her voice already well placed, with a good musical education, with a good knowledge of foreign languages and was therefore able to devote herself to the study in various musical directions which she felt that she required.
19How thoroughly she has merited consideration may be seen by reading the few notices appended, which are selected to illustrate certain definite and valuable critical opinions. Brussels, it should not be forgotten, is the very centre of the artistic and intellectual life of Belgium, and not less critical, perhaps in some respects more critical, than Paris or Berlin.
21Mlle. Lillian Butz, a young American cantatrice, achieved a brilliant triumph at last night's concert. Mlle. Butz has a most delightful soprano voice, fresh and of excellent quality. She vocalizes without effort, and arrives at the highest notes of the register with surety and ease. The singer is, moreover, an artist who possesses style and emotion. At once she gained the entire sympathy of the numerous public, who evinced their sincere appreciation by many hearty recalls.—La Fédération Artistique.
23A young American artist, Lillian Butz, gave us the opportunity last night to thoroughly admire and appreciate her excellent work. She is a brilliant exponent of the Italian school of singing.—L'Indépendance (Bruxelles).
25Lillian Butz has a beautiful voice which she conducts with great art—the timbre of the voice is very distinguished. Purity and sweetness of tone, accuracy of intonation and extreme flexibility characterize the singing of Lillian Butz.
27Mlle. Butz is a most excellent and thorough musician. In her operatic scenes and arias, sung with orchestral accompaniment, it was plainly evident that Mlle. Butz has a most brilliant future. In addition to her beautiful voice, she has a handsome stage presence and magnetic personality—she is eminently fitted to be genuinely successful.—Le Guide Musicale, Paris.
29Lillian Butz has a soprano voice of remarkable purity and delicious quality. Her singing with orchestra was a most pronounced and artistic success. A rich voice and a most charming presence rendered her doubly attractive and rapturous recalls demonstrated her popularity.—Le Petit Bleu.
31Miss Lillian Butz, a talented young American singer, scored a great triumph at Saturday's concert. She sang with orchestral accompaniment an aria from "I Puritani" and one from "Don Juan" with brilliant finish and much delightful charm, and was warmly applauded and recalled by a critical audience, which included a large contingent of the American colony here. A deluge of beautiful flowers rained upon the fair young singer. Lillian Butz has a clear, rich soprano, and made herself heard in the original Italian with ease and distinctness. We cordially extend to this new prima donna our sincere wishes for a speedy return to Brussels, where she will always be assured of a hearty welcome.—The Belgian Times and News.
33Splendid success of Mlle. Butz at last night's concert! It was a triumph of which to be proud, and well merited by this fair young artist. Lillian Butz has a beautiful soprano voice which she thoroughly controls, and which is especially remarkable for a very distinguished tone quality (est d'un timbre très distingué). Mlle. Butz is an excellent musician, evincing style and artistic finish in every interpretation. Her singing with orchestra demonstrated how truly she is a singer of the future (chantés avec orchestre, elle a démontré qu'il y a en elle une chanteuse d'avenir). Without doubt she will win the most brilliant success in her coming tournée in America, after which we are promised the return to us again of the charming Lillian Butz.—Le Soir (Belgique).
35Miss Butz will return to Europe after her stay in America, for a tournée through England, Germany, France and Belgium. Her American tour is under the direction of Henry Wolfsohn.
37Hortense Hibbard.—Four Trio concerts are announced by Hortense Hibbard, to be given on Tuesday afternoons. Gustav Dannreuther, violinist, and Anton Hegner, 'cellist will assist, together with Adelina Hibbard, soprano. The dates are as follows: November 30, at 279 Madison avenue; December 7 at 53 West Fifty-fourth street; December 14, at 37 West Forty-seventh street; and December 21, at The Osborne, 205 West Fifty-seventh street.
39The following is a list to be played: Mendelssohn, op. 49; Godard, op. 32; Schubert, op. 100; Arensky, op. 32; Rheinberger, op. 112; Chaminade, op. 11; Dumky-Dvorák; Rubinstein, op. 52.
41Carl's Fiftieth Recital.—The fiftieth recital in the "Old First" Presbyterian Church was given by its distinguished organist and choirmaster, William C. Carl, on Friday afternoon, November 19. A program of exceptional interest had been prepared for the occasion, and was carried out by Mr. Carl, assisted by the members of the choir, with a spirit and enthusiasm truly inspiring. One is almost tempted to the use of superlatives in writing of Mr. Carl's recitals. The fugue in D minor, by Bach, a Concert-Satz, by Thiele, and an Andante, by Haydn (arranged for the organ by Mr. Carl) afforded ample opportunity for the display of Mr. Carl's virtuosity. The part songs by the choir were remarkable for their purity of tone and precision of attack. The final recital of the series will be given on Friday afternoon, November 26. The program will be devoted to the works of Alexandre Guilmant. Mary Louise Clary, contralto, and Hubert Arnold, violinist, will assist.
43Special Attractions.
45MR. H. M. HIRSCHBERG, IMPRESARIO.
47Mr. DAVID BISPHAM,
48BARITONE.
49SECOND AMERICAN SEASON.
51BERTHA HARMON FORCE,
52SOPRANO.
53Oratorio, Opera, Concert, Musicales.
55MARGUERITE HALL,
56MEZZO SOPRANO.
57Concert, Oratorio, Recitals, Musicales.
59WILLIAM LAVIN,
60TENOR.
62THE HASTREITER CONCERT CO. …
64HELENE HASTREITER, Contralto.
65SIG. EDGARDO, Tenor.
66GIACOMO QUINTANO, Violin Virtuoso.
67RUDOLF VON SCARPA, Pianist.
68On tour, commencing in the South November 15.
70Sole Direction:
71Mr. H. M. HIRSCHBERG,
72IMPRESARIO,
7336 West 15th Street, New York.
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