Scan 34
Musical Courier 1902-02-26: Vol 44 Iss 1144, 1902
54 lines. Read by computer on 22 September 2026. Printed page 35. See the scan on archive.org.
1Corey Answers "A Subscriber."
3DETROIT, Mich.
5Editors The Musical Courier:
7I NOTICE a query in the last issue of THE MUSICAL COURIER from a "Subscriber" as to why I had made a certain statement in regard to Joseph Baernstein which originally appeared in your paper. As is very often the case in such letters my statement was sadly misrepresented. The words he places in quotation marks I cannot find in my original letter from beginning to end. He charges me with saying that Baernstein is "the only basso in the country" who is equipped to sing Mephistopheles in Gounod's "Faust." Here is the statement that I made, which is very different in meaning; "the only available artist who has made any sort of success in the role is Baernstein." This refers to the singing of it in concert form, as was fully treated in the letter. There may be a dozen bassos in the country fully capable of singing the part, but if so they have not made themselves known. The directors of the St. Cecilia Society looked the ground over thoroughly, and as I said could find no one that was "available." The society could afford to take no chances in exploiting "novelties" in such a role, in which everything depends upon proper interpretation. In many works a fine voice and lyric style of singing would be successful with an audience, and redound to the high credit of the artist, but not so with the part of Mephistopheles. The society felt that it was absolutely necessary that they promise their patrons someone who would be sure to give the role the interpretation that it demands. If there are other bassos that are equally capable and adapted for the part, as was intimated by "Subscriber," they should use some of Mr. Baernstein's energy in making themselves known to the public and those in search of artists for their concerts. Concert directors are not gifted with unusual divination or clairvoyance in regard to unknown singers, but are limited to the word of mouth of friends, or the usual avenues of information, the newspapers. Directors of choral societies have responsibilities in this connection which can scarcely be realized by inexperience. The directors of the St. Cecilia Society gave the matter careful consideration for fully six months before making their decision in regard to the engagement of Baernstein. Letters were written to friends, newspaper reports were examined, the success of the singers followed in THE MUSICAL COURIER, and I myself personally visited people in New York who were in a position to know of the work of the list of artists that we had under consideration, after which we felt that we could confidently promise our patrons singers who would be as good as it was possible to obtain. We by no means intend any reflection upon the many good singers that are now before the public, but we do maintain that, all things being considered, we have made the very best selection that could be made for the purpose for which we desire the artists. It is not at all unlikely that in some works that we may elect to do in the future Mr. Baernstein may not seem best adapted to be engaged, in which case, if "Subscriber" is a singer, he may possibly get his inning. N. J. COREY.
9Erskine Porter.
11FOLLOWING are two of the many press notices of Erskine Porter, the boy soprano:
13The special feature of the musical program was the appearance of Master Erskine Porter, of New York, who is at present making a tour of the New England States. Master Porter is but eight years of age and is truly possessed of an exceptional voice. Musical critics have not been slow to note this, and to-day he stands in the front row of boy choristers. In his solo work last evening the quality of his voice was well shown. His register is wide, and his tones, which ring in their clearness, are taken with an ease and certainty. His voice has a mellowness which adds greatly to the effect of his singing.—Ansonia Evening Sentinel, January 20.
15Boston has been favored the past week in having in its midst one of the most wonderful of boy sopranos, Master Erskine Porter, of New York. The little fellow is only eight years of age, yet sings from memory over eighty high grade songs, secular and sacred. His voice ranges from low A to high E in altitude, and is marvelously rich, sweet and strong for one of his tender years. His expression is precociously mature and his execution brilliant and rapid. A number of the leading musicians and composers of Boston have been charmed by the singing of this little musical prodigy. If his voice grows in breadth and in sweetness in the next year, as it has in the past year, all musicians predict that Erskine Porter will be added to the list of America's great boy sopranos.—Boston Post, February 9.
17Master Porter leaves town on March 8 for Philadelphia and Washington, to be gone about three weeks. He will sing in prominent churches in both cities and fill other engagements.
19Flavie van den Hende.—Mlle. Flavie van den Hende, the deservedly popular young 'cellist, is having a very active and successful season. Appearances have followed one another in quick succession in Philadelphia, Pittsburg, Rochester and Brooklyn; she has filled two engagements in Bridgeport, Conn., and a number in New York, which include several very smart private musicales. Her vogue is so great in the latter form of entertainment, indeed, that Mlle. van den Hende is making a specialty of them this year, and she has already contributed delightfully arranged programs at the residences of such well-known patrons as Dr. Alfred Meyer, Louis Stern and Mme. Jefferson Seligman.
21JENNIE DUTTON SONG RECITAL.
23MISS DUTTON'S annual song recital is ever an enjoyable event, and this was again the case this year, when this program was given:
25Carmen Fantaisie…………………………………………..Hollman-Bièret
26Miss Martina Johnstone.
27La Visione (Romanza)………………………………………Vannuccini
28Obstination…………………………………………………….De Fontenailles
29Ma Mie………………………………………………………..A. L.
30A Toi………………………………………………………..Bemberg
31Miss Dutton.
32Ja bu bist elend……………………………………………..Sawyer
33Ich liebe dich allein………………………………………….Mayer
34Nocturne…………………………………………………….Barnes
35Hobart Smock.
36Blüthen, Blüthen über all…………………………………….von Fielitz
37Die Nacht ist Weich………………………………………….von Fielitz
38Das Kraut Vergessenheit…………………………………….von Fielitz
39Dream Land………………………………………………….von Fielitz
40Miss Dutton.
41Romance…………………………………………………….Wieniawski
42Spanish Dance……………………………………………..Rehfelt
43Miss Johnstone.
44Who'll Buy My Lavender?………………………………….E. German
45The Butterfly Is in Love With the Rose…………………H. K. Hadley
46An African Love Song………………………………………Nevin
47Miss Dutton.
49The first group of songs, Italian-French, were well received, the charm and finish of detail making them very enjoyable; the fair singer had to bow her thanks to the applause.
51The von Fielitz group was sung with beautiful German enunciation, with dramatic conception of their poetical contents, "Das Kraut Vergessenheit" especially. Miss Dutton makes of these beautiful German songs all possible, musically, dramatically, her temperamental range quite covering their wide demands. It is interesting to know that the "Dream Land," the text of which was printed on the back of the program, was sent direct to Miss Dutton by the composer, and is probably the only song composed by him to original English text—Rosetti's.
53The last group was charming in its variety and interpretation. Nevin's song bringing from Mrs. Nevin a great bunch of narcissi; to this Miss Dutton added another Nevin song, namely, "The Woodpecker." Martina Johnstone, violinist, and Hobart Smock, tenor, lent variety by their offerings, and a beautiful Knabe grand aided and abetted Isidore Luckstone at the piano. Among those present were Mrs. Henry Harkness Flagler, Mrs. C. H. Knight, Mrs. James E. Martin, Mrs. Peter Moller, Mrs. Dunlap Hopkins, Mrs. S. S. Carvalho, Mrs. Alfred Bishop Mason, Mrs. Howard Martin, Mrs. Adrian Joline, Mrs. Ella Wheeler Wilcox, Mrs. A. Harper Lynde, Mrs. Edward Lauterbach, Miss Bertha Runkle, Mrs. Royal Chapin,
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