Scan 5
Musical Courier 1902-01-01: Vol 44 Iss 1136, 1902
34 lines. Read by computer on 23 September 2026. Printed page 6. See the scan on archive.org.
1abroad, for which he had been offered 5,000,000 lire. But—the Government refused.
3Many unfounded reports of the Pope's illness and even of his death have been circulating of late, to which a correspondent at Rome writes: "Pope Leo XIII. is perfectly well. There is absolutely no foundation for the report of his illness. To-day his Holiness presided at a meeting of cardinals composing the Congregation of Rites. The sitting lasted one hour and a half."
5Recently Milan was visited by "un terremoto," an earthquake. There were two shocks experienced sufficiently long and strong to frighten a good many of the inhabitants. The earthquake was felt also in a number of neighboring towns, where much damage was done and the loss of several lives reported at the time.
7I could have wished that these shocks might have served a different purpose; the one, the heavier and prolonged shock, to have exploded and annihilated the false theories, the self-deceiving notions about some things musical—to have stirred up musical matters generally in this capital of Lombardy, where the good people fondly, but erroneously, believe that nothing can be found or exists in the musical world that could possibly be better than known here; because here is where stands the time honored building of the Scala! Bravo!
9The other quake might have served to upset and dispel the preconceived and equally false notions entertained by some American students as to the wonderful voice transformation to be obtained here. When students are ready to pass opera, fully prepared vocally to appear before the public—then the many maestri in Milan can teach and "coach" to advantage and with benefit to the singer. For voice training, pure and simple—as good, if not better teaching can be had in the principal cities of the United States; and, with "home comforts" thrown in. This may sound like heresy—but my Italian life, my earlier six years of voice study and the last four years' experience (besides other years of musical study and vocal teaching) have taught me some things I know and remember.
11Since I am on the subject and still in the wishing mood, I could wish that a slighter shock, quake or upheaval of some sort might bring about a remedy or betterment of the condition of the Anglo-Saxon student, who misses and suffers so much for the want of home-like comforts and general conveniences—not found or known in this beautiful country.
13But—and alas! The emptied purses, the misjudged and ruined voices, the protested engagements, the shattered hopes, broken hearts, ruined careers and wasted, misspent lives are still found in Italy in spite of the thick, heavy veil of mist and mystery; the dense, impenetrable fogs of Milan—fogs through which not even His Majesty, the glorious sun at high noon, can force his way to brighten, cheer and comfort such unhappy existence!
15DELMA-HEIDE.
17MILAN, DECEMBER 10, 1901.
19It is just a month to-day since Mr. Blumenberg, the editor-in-chief of THE MUSICAL COURIER, wrote as follows regarding the question of Italian encouragement to American composers, in answer to a letter of mine on the subject:
21"For the last 125 years this country has been overwhelmed with foreign musicians. All I claim is that if a chance be given to the American musician he may contrive to be as successful as his American brothers in other lines and I claim also that because he has not been protected, and because for 125 years he has been overridden by foreign influences, he has not been able to do himself justice." * * *
23Well; Mr. Blumenberg's wish is gratified, and to a degree probably beyond his expectations, thanks to the generosity of an Italian patron of lyric art.
25On the inauguration of the Simplon Tunnel in 1904, forming as it will a direct link between Italy and the rest of Europe, Milan purposes solemnizing this great event by an exhibition, as far as practicable, of all the fruits of progress, not excluding art in all its branches. A group of artists and journalists foregathered for the purpose of furthering the idea of an international prize of 50,000 lire for painting and sculpture, with the view of attracting to Milan painters and sculptors of all nations. But at once the voice of regional faction, as unhappily too often the case in Italy, made itself heard and found such ready listeners, that if the idea of an international prize was not absolutely wrecked, it was at least checked at its very birth.
27As "counterpoint" to this, however, if I may be allowed the expression, we have Edoardo Sonzogno, a true patron of Italian art, to whom, if not actually indebted for the abolition of musical monopoly on account of the circle of iron by which, under the name of law, the stronghold Ricordi is rendered unassailable, we at least owe a debt of gratitude, for the sacrifice he has made of his millions in bringing into light young composers who otherwise would have remained unknown and furnishing music within the reach of all; Edoardo Sonzogno—who, impelled by love of country, and single-handed, offers an international prize of 50,000 lire for a musical work, and makes the announcement to the exhibition committee by the following letter:
29MILAN, December 7, 1901.
31To the Honorable Committee of the Milan Exhibition of 1904:
33While highly approving the idea of an international prize of 50,000 lire for painting or sculpture on the occasion of the Milan Exhibition of 1904, I am, as an Italian, sorry to see the controversy which has arisen respecting it, and which threatens to lower a subject of noble
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