Scan 27
Musical Courier 1902-03-05: Vol 44 Iss 1145, 1902
25 lines. Read by computer on 21 September 2026. Printed page 28. See the scan on archive.org.
1HOTEL RALEIGH, 319 SUTTER STREET, SAN FRANCISCO, February 24, 1902.
3BOTH Nordica and Hofmann have come and gone, leaving the most enjoyable of reminiscences behind. Hofmann was fêted and dined as much as he would while among us; and here be it said that he is a young man with a mind of his own, and knows exactly what he wishes and will have nothing else. One of the most elaborate functions given in honor of this world famed artist was a dinner given him by Sir Henry Heyman in the famous "Red Room" of the Bohemian Club, on Thursday evening, February 13. Sir Henry is well-known both in and out of Bohemia as a perfect host, and on this occasion those who were fortunate enough to be his guests were received by Sir Henry in the beautiful "Owl Room," after which they all proceeded to the Red Room, where at 7:15 o'clock dinner was served. It is said to have been the most perfectly appointed and elaborate dinner ever given in the club to a visiting artist, and the remarkable point in the affair is this, that Sir Henry is a violinist, while Josef Hofmann is a piano virtuoso.
5Even Hofmann himself could but exclaim at the beauty of the appointments, and Sir Henry had neglected nothing by means of which to delight the eye as well as the palate. The decorations were beautiful and lavish. Suspended from the ceiling directly above the round table hung a gorgeous Chinese umbrella 16 feet in diameter, from every point of which hung a lighted Chinese lantern, and from the centre a beautiful Oriental lamp. Upon the table were rarest flowers, the centrepiece being a magnificent antique copper vase filled with branches of rare plum blossoms, while the table was literally concealed beneath the profusion of delicate orchids, great purple violets and ferns of every variety. Here and there candelabra, with wax candles shining through rose colored shades, cast a soft glow over the surroundings; while the favors were bouquets—gorgeous carnations of enormous size. The menus were printed in gold on heavy white cardboard, in the corner of which appeared the club crest in raised gold and letters. Mr. Hofmann was not slow in expressing his surprise and delight in the honor thus conferred upon him by a fellow musician, a little act of courtesy which appears to be very rare in these days of self-advancement at whatever cost.
7Sir Henry was in one of his happiest moods, and his graceful tact put everyone instantly upon good terms with his neighbor, and as he also acted as toastmaster, paying his distinguished guest the highest possible compliments which a man of his rare attainments can win. He spoke of him as "not alone an artist by birthright and inspiration from the Giver of all good gifts, but as a distinguished and refined gentleman as well, worthy of all honor and esteem." The very cream of Bohemia, all representative men of San Francisco, were present, and it follows that the stories, speeches and flow of wit were unusually brilliant. Those who made up the list of guests were: Josef Hofmann, Casimir Hofmann, Eugene Schmitz, mayor of San Francisco; Park Commissioner Altman; F. P. Deering, president of the Bohemian Club; Horace G. Platt, ex-president Bohemian Club; Vanderlynn Stow, ex-president Bohemian Club; Louis Sloss, Jr., vice-president and manager Alaska Com. Company; Judge M. C. Sloss, Judge Superior Court; Charles J. Dickman, one of our noted artists; I. G. Waterman, inventor, and Sir Henry Heyman, the ideal host.
9Loudon Charlton, the manager of Nordica's concert tour, presented his compliments to your San Francisco correspondent on Saturday last and wished to be cordially remembered to the home office. The Nordica season has been one of unparalleled success, and Saturday the diva sang to a packed house, people standing and sitting in the aisles everywhere. I think she was a greater success in her concert work on this occasion than in any of the previous concerts. In her first concert it seemed in effect as it would for a giant to undertake the work of a liliputian. But the second concert gave us a new Nordica and her lied work became more subdued, producing a far better effect. The "Serenade" of Boucher and Berceuse of Chaminate, with which she opened the program, were impressively tender and sympathetic. "Chere Nuit" of Bachelet was encored, and "Elsa's Dream" splendidly done. "Waldesgesprach," Schumann, was a wonderfully romantic rendering, and to an encore after the "Kirchgang" of von Fielitz, she gave the Grieg "Boat Song" beautifully. One of her most effective numbers was Rogers' "At Parting." I have never heard it sung with so rare feeling as she gives it. Mrs. Beach's "Ecstasy" was an exquisite number also, and "Titania's Cradle."
11Liza Lehmann's setting of the old poem of Shakespeare's lovely words, "I Know a Bank," was a revelation. Oscar Weil is a local composer of superior attainments and great talent, and his "Spring Song," with violin obligato, by Miss Grace Freeman, also a local musician, was warmly greeted and greatly enjoyed. It is a lovely composition, and Nordica brought out the kernel of its worth in her rendering. It was a very pretty sight to see the stately Nordica leading out the shy young violinist to share the honors with her. To a rousing encore she gave Nevin's delightful negro song, so popular through her rendering, "Mighty Lak' a Rose," and truly as Nordica sings it you cannot but feel that
13heaven
14Is comin' close to you.
16She gives it the infinity of tenderness. One has felt more than ever that Nordica is a past master in portraying vocal emotion. The number with which she finished the second program was the grand aria from the Hungarian opera "Las los," by Erkel, and it was a magnificent conception magnificently executed. In her third concert the "Eliand," of von Fielitz, was the greater part of the program, with a few new numbers, and some which had become favorites through hearing her sing them. The last number was the old "call" of Brünnhilde, which never fails to stir us all, and in which Nordica, as we love her best, comes back to us. Her costuming has been elegant, but in nothing has she looked so womanly sweet as in her farewell concert, when she wore a simply designed white lace gown with a white hat.
18E. Romayne Simmons' accompaniments were beautifully done.
20Now that Nordica is gone, and we can think it all over again, we feel more than ever that this woman, with her many gifts, sound of heart, with all her great attainments, fair of face and figure, is the queen of America's song birds, and we are glad she belongs to us.
22Bouvier and Greenbaum are doing a good work, not alone in what they have already given us, but next week we are to hear the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, with Adolph Rosenbecker, conductor; Mme. Ragna Linné, soprano; E. C. Towne, tenor; Jan van Oordt, violinist, and Franz Wagner, 'cellist, soloists. The programs covering four concerts are made up of most attractive material, and the prospect is a most enjoyable one. A later prospect gives us Katherine Fiske, contralto; Max and Julia Heinrich in the melodramatic setting of Richard Strauss' "Enoch Arden," as well as song recitals, after which comes Fannie Bloomfield-Zeisler; and next month Emma Nevada, another American girl who has become famous; and with her Pablo Casals, court 'cellist to the Queen of Spain; Maquarre, for two years flute soloist of the Lamoureux and Colonne orchestras in Paris; Moreau, the distinguished French pianist and composer, and Heate Gregory, the well-known American vocalist. The concert is dated March 1, and the program is full of good things.
24The local concerts are offering many attractions on their own account. On March 4 little Aileen McCabe, the
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