Scan 33
Musical Courier 1898-05-18: Vol 36 Iss 950, 1898
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1CORRESPONDENCE
3LINCOLN.
5LINCOLN, Neb., May 11, 1898.
7LINCOLN, Neb., is far from the centre of musical cultivation, and is often passed unnoticed by artists journeying West. But for a town of 50,000 inhabitants it possesses an unusual number of competent musicians, animated by an unusual spirit of friendly co-operation. Without this harmonious working toward one artistic end the great results accomplished in the past winter would have been an impossibility.
9An excellent orchestra of forty pieces was organized under the leadership of August Hagenow. Five orchestral concerts were given during the winter with a smoothness of finish astonishing in so young an organization. This orchestra easily ranks first among those west of the Mississippi.
11But the symphony concerts are over, the strings are silent till the fall, and with the winds and the brass are but a memory. It is the May Festival of May 3 and 4 of which I would write.
13This festival closes the season of the Matinee Musicale, a club of 100 women. Each year the musicians of Nebraska are asked to meet at Lincoln, the guests of this club, and assist in the concerts both by solos and in the choruses.
15This year 100 women responded to the invitation. A well-trained chorus of fifty, with a soprano soloist, Mrs. Cameron, came from Omaha. Other towns sent smaller numbers, individual singers or choruses. Two programs were given by the Lincoln Club, assisted by the visitors. Part songs for 150 voices, arias from the standard operas and violin and piano numbers comprised the first night.
17The second program was in the afternoon. That pretty cantata, by Mrs. H. H. A. Beach, "The Rose of Avontown," was a decided credit to the Lincoln Club and its fine director, Mrs. P. V. M. Raymond. Without the assistance of Mrs. Raymond this festival could not be a success. She has had great experience as director in oratorio work, and is a concert accompanist of the highest rank.
19The third concert, the artists' program was a combination of voice, piano and harp. Miss Mary Louise Clary, the contralto, and Mrs. Hadden-Alexander, the pianist, came from New York for the occasion, and an attractive harpist, Miss Mildred Webber, from Chicago. None of these musicians had been heard in Lincoln. The power and richness of Miss Clary's voice won great appreciation. She divided the honors with Mrs. Alexander. Few pianists arouse as great enthusiasm as was elicited by the poetic fervor of Mrs. Alexander's interpretations. Her brilliant technic was momentarily forgotten in the breathless interest with which the audience followed her playing.
21The harp, though beautifully and artistically handled, was tame in comparison with the piano. Miss Webber was recalled many times, her delicate skill and the novelty of her instrument in the West appealing to many. All through the festival the weather was atrocious. The rain fell in torrents, but the Matinee Musicale not only made it an artistic success (which was the principal desire), but will more than meet expenses. This progressive club feels it has a greater duty to the community than merely holding semi-monthly meetings for its own members, and would contribute something toward the real musical growth of the city.
23ANNIE L. MILLER.
25TOLEDO.
27TOLEDO, Ohio, April 10, 1898.
29WHAT a great pity that Toledo, with all her really good teachers, ambitious students and ardent lovers of music, should not possess more people who consider it important to keep a musical journal, and whose interest in musical affairs extends beyond the borders of their own city. So engrossed are the majority in their own particular work that the activity in the great world of music neither interests nor enthuses them.
31Sousa and his band were greeted by a large and enthusiastic audience at the Valentine, February 27. Miss Maude Reese Davies, soprano, and Miss Jennie Hoyle, violinist, were the soloists.
33Siloti played at the Auditorium February 28. The Russian pianist displayed great technic. The Russian pieces by Rachmaninoff, Glazounoff and Arensky were brilliantly played and with fine tonal effect.
35Lovers of chamber music were given a treat March 4, when the Spiering String Quartet filled the Auditorium with delectable sounds. The men play with brilliancy, spirit and excellent effect, while intelligence of a high order marks their work. The reading of the C minor Quartet of Beethoven could scarcely rank with that given the Tschaikowsky D major and the Dvorák F major Quartet. Miss Marguerite Hall's rich mezzo soprano voice was shown to good advantage in German, French and English songs, which she sang with much feeling and good taste.
37Fannie Bloomfield-Zeisler held her court at the little temple of music known as the Auditorium March 7. A week before Siloti held us in awe by his wonderful technic, but this time our emotional side was wrought upon by the playing of a pianist whose every emotion is communicated to her audience through the medium of the piano. Madame Zeisler's broad, noble style and earnest, graceful delivery, combined with the utmost delicacy and refinement, make her an artist who appeals to every music-loving person.
39The Welsh Prize Singers gave a pleasing entertainment at the Valentine March 9, under the auspices of the Young Men's Christian Association.
41The Park Sisters, instrumentalists, assisted by William R. Moss, reader, entertained a large audience at Epworth Church March 14.
43April 22, 1898.
45The Toledo Symphony Orchestra, under direction of Arthur W. Korthauer, gave its third concert March 30 at the Auditorium. The opening number, the first movement of Beethoven's Symphony No. 5, received an unsatisfactory reading. To play notes correctly is not sufficient, due regard must be paid to phrasing, tonal effect, interpretation and the myriad details that go to make up an excellent performance. The phrasing of the "Cujus Animam" ("Stabat Mater") of Rossini was not always good. The "Danse Macabre" of Saint-Saëns was played with spirit and good effect. A charming number was the Pierre Serenade for stringed orchestra. It was smoothly played throughout and the tone was pleasing. The overture to "William Tell" was very well played and greatly enjoyed by the audience. "Hochzeitmarsch Aus Dem Sommerabendtraum," by Mendelssohn, formed the closing number.
47It is always a genuine-treat to hear Mrs. Albro Blodgett sing. Her beautiful voice was in an excellent condition, and she sang with all the verve and freshness which always characterize her singing. "Spring Song," by Reinhold Becker, and "Thy Beaming Eyes," by MacDowell, were artistically sung, but the singer's reading of Saint-Saëns' song "My Heart at Thy Sweet Voice" was decidedly her best effort and fully deserved the hearty applause of the delighted audience. Mr. Korthauer played the accompaniments in his usual artistic manner.
49Sunday evening, April 17, Sousa and his band presented the conductor's patriotic spectacle "The Trooping of the Colors" at the Valentine.
51We have had some Italian opera. The Baggetto Italian Grand Opera Company appeared here Wednesday and Thursday nights, presenting two Donizetti operas, "La Favorita" and "Lucia di Lammermoor."
53LINA ZOERB.
55NEWPORT.
57NEWPORT, R. I., May 5, 1898.
59OWING partly to the war excitement musical matters have been rather quiet here of late, though the rehearsals of the Philharmonic Society for the public performance of "The Creation" on May 19 are progressing steadily. The soloists engaged are Mrs. Kilski Bradbury and J. C. Bartlett, of Boston, and F. L. Martin, of Providence. The intermission music still continues an attraction, although interfered with on one or two occasions by illness. The following are those who took part since the last meeting: Ella K. Maitland, Bessie W. Hunter, Jessamine A. Chase, Lillian E. Boyle, Sadie Bailey, Alice C. Banning, Marion Clarke, Mrs. Charles E. Lawton, Mrs. L. M. Wheeler, Mrs. T. W. Freeborn, Alfred G. Langley, Charles Ulmann and F. A. Fredericks.
61The intermission announced for May 12, which is the last for this season, includes quartets for ladies' voices, the Spinning Chorus from Wagner's "Flying Dutchman," and "Deck We the Pathway" from "Paradise and the Peri," Schumann. The ladies composing the quartet, which has before given much pleasure at the Philharmonic, are Miss Mae Titus, Mrs. J. P. Peckham, Miss Maud Marsh and Miss Ella K. Maitland.
63Two very enjoyable trio concerts were given in Odd Fellows' Hall, April 18 and 25, by Mrs. Charles E. Lawton, Miss Jessamine Allyn Chase and Alfred G. Langley. The trios, which were for piano, violin and violoncello, were excellently interpreted and the ensemble was very good. The programs were varied, including the Beethoven trio in C minor, op. 1, No. 3, which, with the Mozart trio in G (Peters' Edition No. 5), was especially well done; the Andante from the Schubert trio in B flat, op. 99; Saint-Saëns' trio in F, op. 18; the slow movement from Dvořák's trio in B flat, op. 21; two movements from the trio in D minor, op. 49, Mendelssohn, and the "Rondo all' Orgaefese," from the Haydn trio No. 1 in G.
65The selections of the soloists were from Händel, Purcell, Bach, Brahms and Gaynor. Miss Maud Rees, of Providence, contralto, who has made many friends here by her winning ways and finished work, was the soloist at the first concert, and Mrs. Lucy Hagar Miller, of Boston, soprano, sang at the second.
67F.
69DENVER.
71DENVER, Colo., April 26, 1898.
73THE Damrosch-Ellis Company gave two performances in this city on Monday and Wednesday evenings of last week. They opened with the "Barber of Seville," and gave a concert program embracing scenes from "Rigoletto" and "Romeo and Juliet" on Wednesday evening. The house was packed on both occasions, prices ranging from $1.50 to $5. Mr. Damrosch brought his German opera company out here two years ago and was very successful. This time he advertised a "grand Italian opera company, with the same chorus that sung in Chicago and New York." The chorus here was composed of eight men who showed no indication of ever having sung together before. This was Melba's first appearance in this city. She did not create a marked impression in "The Barber," as she seemed to act and sing as though it were not necessary to exert herself greatly in the "provinces." When she sang the scene from "Lucia" in the concert program, however, she aroused more enthusiasm than I have ever before seen displayed in Denver. While the engagement was successful financially, considerable dissatisfaction was expressed locally over the meagre equipments of a company supposed to present grand opera and charging very "grand opera" prices.
75Melba says she will never visit Denver again until an ordinance is passed requiring bicycles to be provided with bells. While taking her daily walk she was nearly run down by a careless wheelman and badly frightened.
77The Denver Choral Society has in rehearsal Bennett's "May Queen," which will be presented some time in May.
79The Welsh Prize Singers gave a concert in the First Baptist Church last Thursday evening under the auspices of the local Cambrian Society. In reference to the Melba company the Welshmen advertised: "You have heard great singers; now come and hear great artists." A little rough on the madame and her assistant satellites, this. They had an extremely lengthy program, which they gave creditably.
81There were, of course, the usual number of young singers here who wished to have the privilege of showing their skill before Melba. One of them went down to her private car, where she stopped while in the city, and sent in a note requesting a hearing. Back came the porter with this reply: "Madame Melba says you are a stupid ass, and she will not be bothered with you." Bimboni gave considerable encouragement to Charles Bozard, a young tenor, who sang for him.
83Robert Slack, the tenor of St. John's Cathedral, and Adams Owen, basso, have been engaged to sing in a production of "Stabat Mater" at Colorado Springs this week.
85The management of the Academy of Music is seeking new quarters, as their school has increased so rapidly that they have not enough room at their present location.
87In speaking of the local musical organizations in my last letter I inadvertently omitted to mention the Denver Opera Club. This organization has about fifty members, and under the direction of Emil Triferio meets weekly to study the grand operas. Their work this season has been chiefly devoted to "Trovatore," and an amateur production of this opera was planned for the spring season. They have presented scenes from the opera in operatic concerts very creditably.
89Frederic Howard will give a song recital on April 29.
91The May festival, which was to have been given in City Park by the Festival Society, has been abandoned.
93The Tuesday Musical Club held its last matinee concert of the season last Tuesday afternoon. Their last appearance this year will be on May 3, when they will be joined by the Apollo Club in a production of "Fair Ellen."
95I heard last week that Mrs. Flora Smith-Hunsicker, who has for seven years past been a member of the Temple Emanuel choir, will leave that organization at the end of this month. She will probably be succeeded by Mrs. W. J. Whiteman. No dissatisfaction was expressed with Mrs. Hunsicker's work, and the reason for the change seems to be somewhat of a mystery. The manner in which church choirs are organized in this city is somewhat unique and not altogether satisfactory. In fact, I think that Denver's church music is by no means as good as might be expected in a city of its size. With the exception of a few of the larger churches the singers are usually engaged by the month, and with frequent changes made by music committees to accord with the whims of some of the congregation it is extremely difficult for directors to produce good results. Mrs. Hunsicker is a pioneer among Denver singers, having been engaged in teaching, church and concert work for the past eighteen years. Some three years ago she gave up concert work, and has since devoted her time exclusively to her pupils and her church singing. She has always been extremely popular with directors because of the enthusiasm with which she enters into her work, and it is largely owing to her efforts that such good results have been gained from some of the choirs with which she has been associated. She is at present singing in the choir of the First Baptist Church. She has a worthy successor in Mrs. Whiteman, who will be remembered as making such a success when she sang before the M. T. N. A. in New York last summer.
97EUGENE TAYLOR.
99Omaha Exposition—June 1 to November 1, 1898.
101Miss Julia Officer begs to announce that she is sole manager of artists for the Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition to be held at Omaha from June 1 to November 1, and that all communications must be addressed to her personally, as she has no agents.
103225 Dearborn avenue,
104Chicago, Ill.
106HARPIST.—A teacher of the harp can secure an engagement by addressing the editor of this paper.
108FOR SALE—Two old, valuable, rich-toned instruments, 'cello and violin, $400 and $200, respectively. Would accept $500 for the two. Address Blakeley, 23 West Eighty-third street, New York.
110SITUATION WANTED.—A first-class piano tuner and good voice, fully qualified by extended experience for filling all the requirements of factory or ware-room, desires a change of location; can tune organs well if desired; salary moderate. Address R. W. Welles, 252 North Main street, Concord, N. H.
112A LADY (musician) of first-class antecedents and superior education, speaking fluently German, French and English, also in close acquaintance with musical and art circles in Vienna, offers a refined home and chaperonage in one of the best localities of Vienna to a young American or English lady wishing to pursue her studies there. Special advantage for next season. Address "Vienna," care of the Bureau of Information, MUSICAL COURIER. References exchanged.
114SUMMER SCHOOL—Piano, organ, harmony, under the direction of F. W. Riesberg (professor at the New York College of Music; organist Rutgers Presbyterian Church; sec.-treas. New York State Teachers' Association), at Cooperstown, N. Y., on Lake Otsego (2 miles from Richfield Springs), beginning July 1, eight weeks. Weekly concerts, free classes in sight reading, six and eight hands. Third season.
116Cooperstown is an ideal place for summer study; 1,300 feet above the sea level; 100 miles from New York; 10 miles from Ithaca; 12 miles from Binghamton; 12 miles from Utica; 12 miles from Oneonta; 12 miles from Cooperstown; 12 miles from Richfield Springs. Good board and rooms to $7 per week. A fine opportunity for teachers engaged the rest of the year to spend a delightful and profitable summer. Address F. W. RIESBERG, care THE MUSICAL COURIER, 19 Union Sq., New York.
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