Scan 6
Musical Courier 1903-07-08: Vol 47 Iss 1215, 1903
79 lines. Read by computer on 23 September 2026, twice; the two readings disagreed in places. No printed page number was found. See the scan on archive.org.
A town on its own line is one of the directory's headings. That is where the town on a maker's page comes from.
1MILAN
3CORSO VENEZIA 34, MILAN, ITALY.
4June 22, 1903.
6The program of the "stagione del tempo" at Milan, as well as in other parts of Italy, has been rain, rain, rain for something like six weeks past, accompanied by nasty, chilly, treacherous weather generally.
8This has had a dampening and discouraging effect on most out of door entertainments, of which Italians are so fond. The music in the parks and public places has on various occasions been interrupted and made impossible; summer garden parties have frequently been driven indoors, and the Teatro d'Estate has tried in vain to open, or rather to continue open, while time and again the open air loving popolo have endeavored to force the season by remaining in front of restaurants and cafés dining or supping "al fresco."
10Winter weight underwear is still most seasonable and overcoats are in plentiful evidence, topped with an almost brimless sailor straw hat or the Panama that was so popular last summer in the States. This general costume of overcoat, little straw hat, with low cut tanned shoes, to which may be added a red or some flaring, flaunting colored tie or shirt, completes a rather picturesque, though every day seen dress.
12The ladies have not yet outgrown the habit (referred to on previous occasions in this correspondence) of wearing fancy low cut but high heeled house shoes, dainty slippers of kid, of white, gray or other delicate color, in these days and nights of rain. The outside world of men, the onlookers, offer no objection or protest, of course, to this practice, being preoccupied, too busily engaged, perhaps, in a mental or psychological study of the spectacle, the sights of dainty feet prettily clad though unfittingly surrounded in the rain.
14However, I am not criticising, nor philosophizing even, but simply stating a few dry facts in wet weather.
16In answer to inquiries from a reader of The Musical Courier as to why no mention had been made in this column of certain spring season performances given at the Dal Verme and the Lirico theatres, I can but say that their artistic merit was not considered worth notice, much less criticism; that the so called opera scheme, managed in each case not by the house proper but by outside speculating impresari, deserved no encouragement and got none from this paper.
18To have written about singers displaying diamonds and fancy dresses, with no sense of the artistic fitness of things; who were paying the managers for the privilege of appearing in such show before the public, a public that attended merely to witness these displays, not being particularly interested in the music of such performances at the time, why—to have entered into details regarding such affairs would have been a waste of printers' ink, paper and the readers' time, or patience perhaps. The less said about such performances the better, especially when it seemed charitable to be silent.
20Signora Eleanora de Cisneros, the American mezzo-soprano, who is successfully pursuing her operatic career in Italy, informs me of her splendid engagement for the months of August, September and October to sing at the Teatro Lirico, Rio Janeiro, in the following operas: "Carmen," "Giocconda" (Laura), "Aida" (Amneris), "Mignon," "Ugonotti" (Urbano), "Andrea Chenier" (Madlon), "Trovatore" (Azucena), "Linda" (Pierotto).
22I learn further that Mrs. De Cisneros made an audition at the Scala for Director Gatti-Casazza and Cleofonte Campanini, the new conductor, who offered her an engagement to sing Erda and Flosshilde in "Oro del Reno" (Rheingold), but as they insisted on her presence here for rehearsals during the first week of November she was obliged to decline on account of not being able to return from Brazil in time.
24Since then, however, Mrs. De Cisneros has received a contract for the Carnival and Quaresima seasons at San Carlo, in Lisbon, to sing in the following comprehensive repertory: "Norma" (Adalgisa), "Semiramide" (Arace), "Nabucco" (Fenena), "Ugonotti" (Urbano), "Marta" (Nancy), "Rigoletto" (Maddalena), "Tannhäuser" (Venus), "Lohengrin" (Ortruda), "Faust" (Siebel), "Profeta" (Fede), "Sansone e Dalila" (Dalila).
26Being on the subject of American singers abroad, I may as well continue the list. Frank V. Pollock, an American tenor, made a successful first appearance recently at Bologna, singing the part of the Duke in Verdi's opera "Rigoletto." Mr. Pollock has now returned to America to fill some concert engagements, but expects to come back to Italy in September for more operatic study and experience.
28Signorina Marcella Cratti (Marcia Craft), another American singer, a soprano of good range and quality, with intelligence and a will to do things, recently sang ten performances of Violetta, the title part in Verdi's "Traviata," at Como. I traveled to Como to attend one of the representations and was well repaid for the trouble I had taken. Not only was I most agreeably surprised at the progress of the young singer since last heard, but found much worthy of praise in her deep understanding of the part as an actress. The last act was particularly well conceived. In truth, I have never witnessed the death scene more realistic nor nearly so well acted by any youthful singer in Italy.
30Miss Craft, with her mother, left for Boston, to spend a short vacation in the United States.
32Mme. Ella Russell-Righini has been visiting Milan on a matter of business. There is a possibility of her singing at one of the important theatres of Italy next winter. Meanwhile Madame Russell has returned to England to take part in the Handel Festival, but expects to be back in Italy by the end of June to spend the summer at Varese.
34As a patriotic American abroad I have to acknowledge with thanks an invitation from Mr. and Mrs. Louis Lombard to celebrate the Fourth of July at their home, Château de Trevano, Lugano, Switzerland. The program for Independence Day will include a patriotic address in the park under the flag, national airs by the orchestra, fireworks and a balloon ascension.
36Speaking of national airs and the flag brings to mind the different manner of various nations giving vent to their feelings on such occasions, the wild demonstrations of the Italians on hearing their "Marcia Reale," for instance; the French, the Germans, or even the English. When, in the United States, the "Star Spangled Banner" is played there is not one in a hundred among the thousands of civilians who removes his hat or rises to his feet, or in any way gives evidence that the inspiring strains of the glorious anthem are floating and awaking echoes, and bringing back the days of Fort McHenry, of Francis Scott Key and the second war of independence; when England, driven back across the ocean, sullenly admitted she had met more than her match, and profited by the lesson.
38English crowds would do otherwise. When the national anthem is heard in England, with its confound their politics, frustrate their knavish tricks, get them into a fix, "God Save the King," or something on that order, every man in the throng removes his hat and rises, and the music is drowned out by the thunder of the chorus from the loyal throat of Cousin Bull.
40Outward respect is not always best evidence of inward respect, but it is never amiss.
42"Diner from Francs 3 Andover. Wine inclosed" is what I read and received while at Genoa recently.
44At the examinations of the Milan Royal Conservatorio Giuseppe Verdi the composition class produced the following program of new creations (performed in the order of 2, 1, 3, 4, 5):
46Classe di Composizione, Prof. Cav. Vincenzo Ferroni.
47Ouverture in re magg. per orchestra…………………Cantù Agostino
48Classe di Composizione, Prof. Cav. Gaetano Coronaro.
49Quartetto in la magg. per archi………………………..Soro Enrico
50Allegro moderato. Minuetto lento. Andante. Allegro con brio.
51Esecutori—Allieva, Gabriolo Angelo, primo violino; allievo, Chiti Giovanni, secondo violino; allievo emerito, Russolo Giovanni, viola; allievo, Moro Camillo, 'cello.
52Sonata in re min. per violino e piano…………………Soro Enrico
53Allegro, ma non troppo. Andante sostenuto. Allegro finale.
54Esecutori, Prof. Coggi Ariodante (docente volontario), violino; Allievo Pick Riccardo, piano.
55La Montanina, idillio (Versi di Luisa Anzolletti)…Oddone Elisabetta Calendimaggio. La Serenata. Lontananza. Il Ritorno. Cantata dall'Aurice.
56Tema con Variazioni per orchestra…………………….Oddone Elisabetta one of two readings
57Tema con Variazioni per orchestra…………………..Oddone Elisabetta one of two readings
58Direttore d'orchestra, Maestro Ettore Panizza.
60It will be observed that even in Italy female composers are coming to the front, Signorina Elisabetta Oddone appearing in the dual capacity of authoress and vocal executant.
62A Musician Drowned.
64While entertaining a company of Yale men on the yacht Esprit on the Sound, Joseph Schultz, a New Haven musician, was washed overboard and drowned. The yacht owner is David Gaines, of New York city. Mr. Schultz was fifty-five years old.
66Nordica in Paris.
68ILLIAN NORDICA is staying at Hotel Ritz, Paris, but it is said that she will return to America within a few months.
70CARL can be engaged for a limited number of Organ Concerts in the West in September, after his return from Dawson City, in the Klondike, where he plays an engagement in August.
72It will be necessary to make early application for dates, as tour is limited.
74Address THE CARL ORGAN CONCERTS, Care of D. S. JOHNSTON CO., SEATTLE, WASH.
76LOUISE B. VOIGT SOPRANO. Oratorio, Concert and Song Recitals. Address RICHARD BYRON, Manager, 301 West 189th Street, NEW YORK.
78E. PRESSON MILLER, VOICE CULTURE. 601-602 Carnegie Hall, New York. Telephone: 1350 COLUMBUS.
The computer misreads some letters and numbers. Where a name matters to you, read the scan.