Scan 8
Musical Courier 1901-12-11: Vol 43 Iss 1133, 1901
72 lines. Read by computer on 22 September 2026, twice; the two readings disagreed in places. Printed page 9. See the scan on archive.org.
1Such is the state of things," continued Reyer, "and for my part I am so disheartened that I have ceased to write. They are about to mount my opera of 'The Statue,' a work composed thirty years ago, but that is quite outside the immediate discussion, but I assure you that if I composed a new work, and they were to ask me for it at the Opéra, I would not give it to them. The only remedy for this state of things is, in my opinion, to revive the taste for the best classics of the French school by mounting these works at our subsidized theatres, thus forming the taste of our young composers, while permitting the development of their own personality, in case they possess one."
3I give the opinions of Reyer without commenting on them. The incident of a number from "Freischütz" being hissed at a concert performance I know nothing of, but I can bear testimony to the enthusiastic reception that greeted the close of the overture to this opera at its splendid performance by the Philharmonic Orchestra of Berlin last season, under Nikisch, at the Cirque d'Été of Paris.
5COLONNE CONCERT.
7Redemption, symphonic piece………………………………………César Franck
8First Symphony………………………………………………………..C. M. von Weber
9Fantaisie for piano (first time)………………………………………Louis Aubert
10Fantastic Symphony…………………………………………………Berlioz
11Overture to Phèdre…………………………………………………Massenet
13The study of the symphony continues at these concerts. Weber's place as a symphonic composer is analogous to that held by Méhul, Hérold. The work is only interesting from the point of view of musical history. The enthusiasm that greeted the close of a fine performance of Berlioz's Fantastic Symphony was so great that the "March to the Torture" had to be repeated. The only novelty was a fantaisie for piano and orchestra by Louis Aubert, a pupil of the Conservatoire, where he studied harmony under Gabriel Fauré. This work is scarcely so much in the form of a concerto properly so called, as a symphonic movement, with a part for piano solo. It seemed to me uninteresting, although very well played by Louis Diemer, to whom it is dedicated, and who was the composer's piano teacher.
15LAMOUREUX CONCERT.
17Third Symphony (Eroica)………………………………………….Beethoven
18Stella, Lyric poem…………………………………………………Henri Lütz
19Fantaisie for piano and orchestra…………………………………E. Bernard
20Siegfried Idyll………………………………………………………M. I. Philipp.
21Air from Alceste…………………………………………………Gluck
22Invitation to the Waltz (Weingartner)……………………………C. M. von Weber
24In England certainly, and possibly elsewhere, the dramatic stage has been inundated by what are termed "society" actors. To such an extent has this evil grown that competent and experienced actor folk find it, in the former country at all events, very difficult to earn a livelihood. I did not know that this influx of titled personages threatened the operatic stage until I read in a recent paragraph that Baron M. Battistini, who came to Paris to study the role of Werther with Massenet, has returned to Warsaw. "Werther" (of which the title role has been transposed from tenor to baritone for Baron Battistini) will be performed to-night. It is bad enough to have titled singing teachers, as the Marquis de T—— or Madame M——, Marquise de C——, glittering and delusive baits wherewith to entrap those who seek the tinsel for the gold, the unreal for the real, but if the aristocracy invades the musical field, why, heaven help us!
26I see by a London paper that Princesse de W—— is announced to give a vocal recital in London.
28It is not generally known that although Mario sometimes styled himself Marquis di Candia the title was not a genuine one, nor does it, I believe, exist.
30"Siegfried" is being actively rehearsed at the Opéra, and it is expected that it will be ready between December 18 and 20. The following is the cast of the principal roles: Siegfried, Jean de Reszké (Vaguet and Dubois); Pilgrim, Delmas; Alberich, Noté; Mime, Lafitte; Fafner, Paty; Forest Bird, Madame de Noce, and Brünnhilde, Madame Acté. I have already spoken of the lack of really distinguished female singers at the Grand Opéra of Paris. This is particularly apparent in assigning the role of Brünnhilde to Acté. This artist is capable and conscientious, an excellent Marguerite and Juliette. I appreciate her talent very much, but it certainly does not lie in the direction of the Wagnerian heroines. There was some rumor of engaging Bréval for the part, but she is at present singing in Massenet's new work at the Opéra Comique, and after that joins Grau's company in America. one of two readings
31"Siegfried" is being actively rehearsed at the Opéra, and it is expected that it will be ready between December 18 and 20. The following is the cast of the principal roles: Siegfried, Jean de Reszké (Vaguet and Dubois); Pilgrim, Delmas; Alberich, Note; Mime, Lafitte; Fafner, Paty; Forest Bird, Madame de Noce, and Brünnhilde, Madame Acté. I have already spoken of the lack of really distinguished female singers at the Grand Opéra of Paris. This is particularly apparent in assigning the role of Brünnhilde to Acté. This artist is capable and conscientious, an excellent Marguerite and Juliette. I appreciate her talent very much, but it certainly does not lie in the direction of the Wagnerian heroines. There was some rumor of engaging Bréval for the part, but she is at present singing in Massenet's new work at the Opéra Comique, and after that joins Grau's company in America. one of two readings
33DE VALMOUR.
35NEW YORK MUSICAL LEAGUE.
37THE vocal department of the New York Musical League (formerly Women's Philharmonic Society) held an interesting meeting in the rooms of the League, in Carnegie Hall, last Thursday evening. Vocal numbers were contributed by Mrs. Priscilla Wallace, Miss Mary Louise Gehle, Miss Martha M. Henry and Miss Freda Buesing. Miss Buesing, who is a pupil of Mme. Anna Lankow, sang "Frühlingsnacht," by Boehm, and "Since We Parted," by Allitsen, in a way to reflect creditably upon her teacher, who played most musical piano accompaniments for the songs.
39Miss Gehle, a pupil of Mme. Doria Devine, revealed excellent vocal technic in an aria from "Semiramide." Mrs. Wallace sang sympathetically, "Du bist wie eine Blume," by Cantor. Miss Henry, who is a young singer with taste and good enunciation, sang the aria, "Oh! Love, Thy Help," from "Samson and Delilah," and songs by Liszt and Schumann. The question discussed for the evening was:
41Resolved, "That Italian musicians have done more for the advancement of singing than those of any other country." The paper on the affirmative side was read by Miss Lillie d'Angelo Bergh, and Madame Lankow read the essay taking the negative side. William G. Stewart, director of the American School of Opera, took part in the discussion, which followed the reading of the papers. The subject for the evening is hardly new, but the Musical League is a private society, and therefore has a right to discuss any subject. What transpires at these private meetings really concerns no one but the members, and that is the reason why THE MUSICAL COURIER refrains from criticism or from giving advice.
43PRIME-STEVENSON IN NEW YORK.—Irenæus Prime-Stevenson has returned to his home in New Jersey, and will be there and in New York during the next few months, returning to Vienna—his European residence—in February or March. Mr. Prime-Stevenson's health is not as yet perfectly satisfactory, the climatic conditions of New York being unfavorable to his permanent improvement. He will return to Austria-Hungary by way of Sicily, Naples and Rome.
45MINNIE TRACEY.—The American soprano, Miss Minnie Tracey, is having extraordinary success in Europe. Her present concert tour embraces thirty-two concerts in Sweden, which will end the latter part of this month. After that she sings in Switzerland. On February 4 Miss Tracey is to sing in Mannheim, Germany, and probably will remain in Germany for some time.
47THE TWIN CITIES.
49Twin City Office THE MUSICAL COURIER,
50825 HAGUR AVENUE,
51St. Paul, Minn., November 30, 1901.
53THE musical season in the Twin Cities has opened auspiciously and is well under way. The several musical clubs have issued programs for the year, showing that this will be one of the most brilliant winters, musically, ever known.
55The first prospectus to reach me was that of the Ladies' Thursday Musicales of Minneapolis, and a fine course of study is outlined.
57The Philharmonic Club, Minneapolis, has planned a series of concerts for the winter season that will be most interesting. On December 9 the club will present "The Messiah," with the assistance of several well-known artists whose specialty is oratorio work. They are Mrs. Genevieve Clark Wilson, soprano; Miss Mabelle Crawford, contralto; Glenn Hall, tenor, and Joseph S. Baernstein, basso. The second concert, February 12, will be made up of English part songs, and the soloist will be Miss Sara Anderson, soprano. "The Creation" will be given on the evening of April 2 and the club has secured the services of Theodore Van Yorx, tenor; John W. Lince, basso, and Miss Electa Gifford, soprano, all of whom will give the oratorio in the best manner.
59The St. Paul Choral Club will give "The Messiah" at People's Church December 10, with the assistance of the same singers that the Philharmonic has engaged for their presentation. St. Paul's entertainment course will offer a number of superior musical attractions under the auspices of the Y. M. C. A. The first of these will be Nordica's recital at People's Church, December 3. The Twin Cities are to have a rare treat in that Nordica will present the entire program on December 2 in Minneapolis and the following evening in St. Paul, alone, with only an accompanist.
61The active members of the Apollo Club of Minneapolis are straining every effort to make this season an unprecedented one and great care has been taken to engage only the best soloists that can be secured. At the opening concert, December 11, Lyceum Theatre, Signor Campari, baritone, and Miss Mae Louise Campbell, soprano, will be heard in a number of good selections. Harold Bauer, the well-known pianist, will contribute to one of the later concerts.
63Music in Minneapolis.
65Fannie Bloomfield-Zeisler will give a recital in this city December 4 at the Lyceum.
67Canada's famous band, "The Kilties," is to give two performances, afternoon and evening, at the Lyceum November 30.
69The second concert of the Danz Symphony Orchestra was given at the Metropolitan Theatre Sunday afternoon, November 24. A large audience was present to enjoy a program that was well selected and gave evidence of careful rehearsals. Miss Clara Williams, soprano, was the soloist, and rendered Gounod's "Father, Hear Us," with rare interpretation. If Mr. Danz continues to maintain the high standard of programs he has given so far, there is no doubt that the Symphony Orchestra will become a permanent institution. It is to be hoped that music lovers of Minneapolis will embrace this opportunity and give such an organization the encouragement it deserves.
71A brilliant young violinist, Miss Florence Austin, made her debut at the Lyceum Theatre Wednesday evening, November 20. This was her initial appearance after several years of hard study abroad and she has fully justified the predictions of music critics who said that she would probably become a really great woman violinist. She
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