Scan 4
Musical Courier 1902-05-14: Vol 44 Iss 1155, 1902
113 lines. Read by computer on 22 September 2026, twice; the two readings disagreed in places. Printed page 5. See the scan on archive.org.
1THE MUSICAL COURIER
3PARIS, APRIL 23, 1902.
5THE principal event recently in Paris, socially, if not musically, was the performance given at the Opéra Comique for the McKinley memorial fund. The amount realized was about $4,000. Most of the American colony sojourning in Paris was present, with many French notabilities, including the President of the French Republic and Mme Loubet. The program was more remarkable for its dramatic than its musical features. It had been thought for some weeks before the performance that Melba (who is at present staying in Paris) and Jean de Reszké would appear. This was a delusion. Maurel, who was to have given an act from Verdi's "Falstaff," sent word that he was too ill to appear. This was a disappointment, as he had been quite well and rehearsed the day before. The program consisted of "Bastien et Bastienne," by Mozart; two acts of "Grisélidis," by Massenet; a couple of songs from Fugère, monologues by Sarah Bernhardt, Réjane and Coquelin, with a ballet, and "La Marseillaise" and the American national hymn. The solos of these airs were sung by Mme. Rothier and Miss Beach Yaw. As the public joined most lustily in both airs this last number evoked a great deal of applause. President Loubet contributed $100 to the fund, and sent his congratulations to Leicester Holme, who acted for some time as manager of the affair, and like most impresarii came in for a great deal of abuse during its initial stages.
7Apropos of impresarii, a great deal of discussion has been going on in the Paris edition of the New York Herald as to what constitutes an impresario, his rights, qualifications and duties. I reproduce some of them.
9"An enterprising impresario is an entrepreneur who promises a would-be prima donna the earth, until she finds herself like the man who fell out of the balloon, viz., 'not in it.'"
11Another: "I would say that the business qualifications of an enterprising impresario can be summed up in one word, 'Bluff.'"
13The London Times recently defined the impresario as follows:
15"His sole mission is to advertise extensively in order to obtain the large receipts necessary to pay the exorbitant salaries, and the greater part of his time is taken up in conciliating or making concessions for his stars who, like the gods in the Nibelungen, try hard to destroy each other in their frantic efforts to have the foremost role and the largest salary."
17I know a celebrated Parisian actress who receives with the utmost coolness the very large sum which she expects from the manager, to whom she gives no thanks, because she considers it is entirely due to her own great talent that this sum has been attracted to the theatre. Should receipts, however, fall below a certain amount, she roundly abuses him for not having done his share in the matter by properly advertising her.
19I wrote some little time ago that the details of a project on a large scale had been communicated to a Paris journal by Col. Henry Mapleson. This was that matters had been arranged to build a new, large theatre, near the Etoile, in which opera was to be given under the direction of Jean de Reszké, owing to the difficulty this latter had experienced at different times in his career to induce managers to carry out his artistic ideals. There was also, it was claimed, to be a school or conservatoire where singing and acting were to be taught. If I remember rightly, there was a great deal of talk in one of the large New York journals, some years ago, to the same effect. It appears, however, that matters were not so far advanced in this operatic scheme as Colonel Mapleson seemed to think. Jean de Reszké on being interviewed on the subject considered that his name had been somewhat too extensively used, and that although he had been spoken to a long time ago, still it was purely in a tentative way, and the project had never reached, so far as he was concerned, any further development. Although not unwilling, he admitted, to undertake the management of such an enterprise, still it would be only at the end of his career as an operatic singer.
21Personally, I do not think there is the slightest chance for another operatic theatre or conservatoire in Paris, as the existing institutions are already highly subventioned by Government, and to successfully compete with them would require such an enormous expenditure that profit would be impossible. The enormous loss on the last attempt to re-establish Italian opera in Paris will not be forgotten by those interested in such matters. This was an affair in which the well-known impresarii, the Brothers Corti, of the San Carlo, Naples, were interested, with Victor Maurel as artistic director. Although the troupe was composed of a very strong personnel, with such artists as the brothers de Reszké, Calvé, &c., who became afterward famous, still the thing was an artistic and great financial failure.
23The principal event at the Opéra has been the revival of "Die Meistersinger." It also served as an occasion for the debut of M. Rigaux, a young baritone who won three prizes at the last Conservatoire examination, viz.: singing, opera, opera comique. I heard him myself on that occasion in the air of Rysoor from "La Patrie," by Paladilhe and had occasion to notice his voice, sonorous and warm, which he managed fairly well, and his intelligence as an actor manifested in a certain instinct for the stage which one must possess in order to succeed as an operatic singer. All these qualities enabled him to make a successful début as Beckmesser, and with further experience Rigaux will prove a useful addition to the Opéra.
25Renaud the principal baritone at the Opéra, will not, it appears, renew his engagement there. More the pity for the Paris Opéra, as he and the bass Delmas are unquestionably the first singers in France.
27The performances of "Siegfried" appear to be finished at present, Jean de Reszké appearing at present as Roméo. Program for the week: Monday and Friday, "Roméo et Juliette"; Wednesday, "Meistersinger"; Saturday, "Samambo."
29At the Opéra Comique, nothing new as yet to chronicle. Program for the week: Monday, "Le Légataire Universel" and "La fille du Regiment"; Tuesday and Saturday, "Mignon"; Wednesday, "Le Roi d'Ys"; Thursday, "Manon"; Friday, "Carmen."
31The last (twentieth) concert of the New Philharmonic Society was to me the most enjoyable of all. It gave us the opportunity of hearing the famous Bohemian Quartet. Although perhaps in a quartet of Schumann the particular characteristics of this organization were perhaps a little out of place, it is impossible not to admire the extraordinary fire, dash, brilliancy, color and wonderful feeling for rhythm manifested in the other compositions by Bordin, Tschaikowsky and Dvorák. The Quartet in F by this last composer raised a storm of enthusiasm which broke out after every movement.
33These concerts have given the Parisian public a chance to hear new compositions in the field of chamber music, new organizations, new singers and new songs. I am glad to know that a second series is to be attempted next season.
35This is the published list of singers engaged for the Festival Lyrique to be given in Paris in May and June, when "Götterdämmerung" and "Tristan and Isolde" are to be given under the direction of Alfred Cortot and Willy Schütz at the Château d'Eau Theatre: Mmes. Litvinne, Marie Brema, Gulbranson, Adinz, Jansen, Olitzka, Melgounoff, Hildur Fjord, Visq, Rosa Stelle, &c. Messrs. Ernest van Dyck, Dalmores, Castlemann, Dufriche, Victor Maurel, Henry Albers, Froelich, Emblad, Daraux, H. C. Bataille, &c.
37The conductors will be Hans Richter, Alfred Cortot and Felix Mottl.
39Tamagno will shortly appear at the Opéra Comique at a benefit performance to be tendered to one of the retiring artists—Grivot. The Italian tenor will sing the second act of Verdi's "Otello."
41I noticed in a recently published report in THE MUSICAL COURIER of a conference given by Haslam, the Paris singing master, that certain views by Fauré were quoted. It appears that it was J. B. Faure, the famous baritone, who was meant, and not Gabriel Fauré, the composer. The name of the first has no accent over the final e, the name of the composer has.
43Schumann's name has appeared with remarkable frequency on Paris programs this winter as composer for orchestra, of chamber music for piano and for voice. The first concert of a series of four to be given by the pianist Risler will be devoted to this composer's works, the program consisting of the Fantaisiestuck for piano, quartet for strings, and the quintet for piano and strings. A later one will be devoted to the composer's vocal works, the entire program being given by von Zur Mühlen accompanied on the piano by Risler.
45Among many excellent concerts which have been given recently, and which it would be impossible or uninteresting to mention, one given by Mlle. Minnie Methot must be mentioned. The program was most excellently arranged, and as excellently performed. The vocal portion comprised choice selections from many composers—Mozart to Massenet. The first was represented by an air from his "Nozze di Figaro," the last by an air from "Grisélidis." An aria from "Manru" was also given, this for the first time in Paris, I should imagine. The Figaro among other journals particularly praises Mlle. Methot's brilliant voice, excellent style and expression. I exceedingly regret that I was unable to be present at what, I understand, was a highly successful and artistic concert.
47DE VALMOUR.
49MARK KAISER'S ORCHESTRAL CLASS.
50A Successful Concert in the Hall of the Y. M. C. A.
51NEW ORLEANS, May 4, 1902.
53MARK KAISER'S orchestral class of orchestral players gave a concert in the hall of the Y. M. C. A. last night. The affair had been modestly announced in advance as a "musical," but artistically and socially it attained the importance of a concert. Mr. Kaiser directed the program:
55Fest Overture…………………………………………..Leutner one of two readings
56Fest Overture……………………………………………..Leutner one of two readings
57Love's Whisper…………………………………………..C. Marks one of two readings
58Love's Whisper…………………………………………….C. Marks one of two readings
59Bridal Song from Rustic Wedding Symphony………….Goldmark
60Symphonie Concertante for Two Violins………………Alard
61Messrs. Emile Goldstein and Carl Pinski.
62(Walter Goldstein, piano.)
64Intermezzo……………………………………………..Pierné one of two readings
65Intermezzo……………………………………………….Pierné one of two readings
66'Cello solo, La Fileuse……………………………….Dunkler one of two readings
67'Cello solo, La Fileuse…………………………………Dunkler one of two readings
68Valse Lento……………………………………………..Caesar Grisai.
69Suite, Peer Gynt………………………………………Delibes one of two readings
70Suite, Peer Gynt……………………………………….Grieg one of two readings
71Asa's Death……………………………………………Grieg one of two readings
72Asa's Death……………………………………………..Haydn one of two readings
73Anitra's Dance………………………………………….Haydn one of two readings
74Anitra's Dance…………………………………………Haydn one of two readings
75String Quartet…………………………………………..Messrs. Kaiser, Wehrmann, Pitard and Watt. one of two readings
76String Quartet…………………………………………..Bach one of two readings
77Aria………………………………………………………Bach one of two readings
78Aria………………………………………………………..Taubert one of two readings
79Liebes Liedchen………………………………………..Taubert one of two readings
80Liebes Liedchen…………………………………………Kieserling one of two readings
81Hungarian Dance………………………………………Kieserling one of two readings
82Hungarian Dance……………………………………….Kieserling one of two readings
84The daily papers published extended reports of the musical, and the musicians and music lovers of the city showed their appreciation by enthusiastic and discriminating applause. The Picayune said:
86The complimentary musical given by the orchestral ensemble class, under the direction of Mark Kaiser, was a notable event in the musical annals of New Orleans. Y. M. C. A. Hall was packed to the doors for the occasion, and that each separate number was enjoyed was evidenced by the unanimity with which they were every one encored. Mr. Kaiser is doing a great work. The young men of his class display musical ability of the highest order, and their orchestral selections last night were perfect treats.
88This is from the Times-Democrat:
90A really important musical event took place last night under the modest form of an invitation "musical" at the Y. M. C. A. Hall. It was nominally a complimentary soirée of music by an "ensemble class," under the direction of Mark Kaiser, but the occasion, in fact, went far beyond that scope, as it embraced a number of the most thorough musicians of the city and was the budding of a symphony orchestra.
92The revival of such music as can only be presented by schooled ensembles of stringed instruments has always been the hope of every violinist of the city who has genuine love for his art.
94ORGANISTS' PUBLIC SERVICE.
95THE nineteenth public service by the American Guild of organists was held at St. James' Protestant Episcopal Church last Thursday evening. The Rev. Dr. Edward Walpole Warren is rector of the church. Walter Henry Hall is organist and choirmaster. The order of the music at the service arranged for last Thursday evening was as follows:
97Organ Prelude, To the Peace Feast Sonata (first movement)…………………………………………..Rheinberger one of two readings
98Organ Prelude, To the Peace Feast Sonata (first movement)……………………………………………..Rheinberger one of two readings
99Processional Hymn, 16, See the Conqueror Mounts in Triumph………………………………………Hall one of two readings
100Processional Hymn, 16, See the Conqueror Mounts in Triumph……………………………………………..Hall one of two readings
101Psalms XXIV.-XXVII…………………………………….Cathedral Psalter one of two readings
102Psalms XXIV.-XXVII………………………………………Cathedral Psalter one of two readings
103Magnificat, in B flat…………………………………….Martin one of two readings
104Magnificat, in B flat………………………………………Martin one of two readings
105Nunc dimittis, in B flat…………………………………Martin one of two readings
106Nunc dimittis, in B flat…………………………………..Martin one of two readings
107Credo, Versicles and Responses………………………………………Martin one of two readings
108Credo, Versicles and Responses…………………………..Martin one of two readings
109Anthem, Rejoice in the Lord………………………………………Martin one of two readings
110Anthem, Rejoice in the Lord……………………………..Martin one of two readings
112A large and devout congregation attended. The music was dignified and rendered throughout with impressive-ness and churchly tone.
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