Books › Musical Courier 1907-06-12: Vol 54 Iss 24, 1907 › scan 14
Scan 14
Musical Courier 1907-06-12: Vol 54 Iss 24, 1907
32 lines. Read by computer on 25 September 2026. Printed page 13. See the scan on archive.org.
1[Artists contemplating American engagements can secure valuable practical advice by consulting Mr. Delma-Heide, Paris representative of The Musical Courier.]
314 RUE LINCOLN, AVENUE DES CHAMPS-ELYSEES,
4CABLE AND TELEGRAM ADDRESS, "DELMARHEIDE."
5PARIS, MAY 27, 1907.
7Adelina Patti has been heard once again in Paris, to the delight of a circle of select ones, friends and admirers fortunate enough to be invited to listen to the divine singing of the "diva." Jean de Reszké, that admirable artist, who is counted also among the successful professors of Paris, invited his friends to a never to be forgotten soirée Saturday last. In the little theater at his own residence he produced he "Barbiere di Siviglia" as it will never again be produced—as it cannot be produced—elsewhere.
9Madame Patti, such a long time away from the theater, made a reappearance, and the public immediately welcomed her as if she had left the stage only the day before. She sang with the same virtuosity, the same superior skill and the same charm as during the time of her great triumphs. The audience, among whom the best in Paris was represented, made her repeated ovations, which for several minutes interrupted the orchestra. During the lesson scene Madame Patti was obliged to add extra numbers, when enormous floral pieces were brought upon the stage; besides the "Una voce poca fa," the "Voi che sapete" and the Tosti "Serenata" were vociferously applauded. In the course of her professional career the artist has perhaps known more widespread success, but never has she sung before a more select assembly. Adelina Patti as Rosina was accompanied by first class artists. Almaviva was Signor Anselmi, a young tenor possessing every gift—a superb voice, consummate art, physical force and capacity to act. Figaro was Signor Ancona, whose performance was equal to the best in his career. Signor Pini Corsi made a merry and delightfully original Bartolo, while Edouard de Reszké, who played the part of Basilio, chose one of the most delightful roles of his repertoire, a role with an extraordinary amount of character in it. The small roles were taken by De Reszké pupils, Signorina Mafalda as Berta, Signor Binyon as Fiorello, and Signor Guardabassi in the part of an officer. Other pupils formed the chorus, the ladies including Signore Edwards, Le Fornia, Marcel, Stevens and Teyte; the men being Signori Behrens, Green, Hughes, Harris and Seagle. Signor A. Catherine made an excellent maestro concertatore. The mise-en-scène was skillful and the movement excellent; the scenery was attractive and the entire performance very spirited. That the little theater, however, should have been constructed without regard to ventilation proved to be a general surprise and not altogether comfortable.
11As a hostess Mme. Jean de Reszké was most charming, and M. de Reszké delightful in welcoming the guests. But what a pity that nothing remains after such a soirée but the souvenir of a unique pleasure!
13At the Opéra, "La Catalane," a new opera in four acts, book by MM. Ferrier and Tiercelin, with music by F. Le Borne, had its première on the 24th inst. The work will be discussed in next week's letter.
15It is announced at the Opéra that M. Gailhard has engaged Caruso and Chaliapine for the beginning of next season. Commenting on this report, Pierre Veber, the well known critic, says: "He (M. Gailhard) takes all for himself; what does he leave for his successors? It makes the office of manager more difficult than it has been for himself. MM. Messager, Broussan and Lagarde have only one way of producing something new—let them engage French artists, who have not been exhausted abroad."
17With deep sorrow the announcement is made of the sudden death of Edouard Mangin, the best known of the conductors of the Paris Opéra. The day before his death M. Mangin was about as usual. Early in the morning the servant returned to the room and found his master lying on the floor unconscious. M. Mangin was immediately carried to his bed, but all was useless—he was dead, struck down by an attack of congestion of the brain.
19The life of the regretted chef d'orchestre may be summed up in a few words: Work, talent, artistic conscientiousness, honesty and devotion to his daily task. After brilliant studies at the Conservatoire, leaving which he carried off three first class prizes—piano, solfeggio and harmony—the deceased became a professor of the Paris schools, being chosen at the same time to be chef du chant at the Théâtre Lyrique. He fulfilled these functions till 1870, the epoch when he served in the army. When the war was over, M. Mangin accepted the post of chef d'orchestre of the Lyons Grand Théâtre, and then with some friends he founded the Conservatoire, which later was made a branch of the Paris Conservatoire. In 1882 he was nominated as professor in the Paris institution. Here he distinguished himself from the first by his seriousness and the brilliancy of his teaching. He was called in 1887 to be chef de chant at the Opéra. In 1893 he took his place at the conductor's desk, and soon acquired the reputation of an excellent orchestral chief. Beloved by his musicians and artists, adored by his pupils, he realized in his life the ideal of the amiable and obliging man—always ready to render a service.
21Edouard Mangin was born in Paris on December 7, 1837, hence he was in his seventieth year. The last work he conducted in public was "Tannhäuser," last Wednesday, at the Opéra. Deceased was a chevalier of the Legion of Honor.
23The funeral services were performed yesterday at the Church of Saint Augustin, attended by a crowd of mourners. Military honors were rendered at the house by a company of the Fifth Regiment of Infantry. A special carriage was required to transport the numerous wreaths and floral offerings. During the ceremony the orchestra and chorus of the Opéra, directed by Paul Vidal, performed the andante movement of Mendelssohn's Italian symphony, the "Misere mei" of Steenman, with M. Delmas as the soloist; fragments from the "Valkyrie" and the march from "Hamlet." The interment followed at the Père Lachaise.
25Another case of sudden death is that of Madame Calvo de Picciotto, the pianist and singing teacher. Only the other day she was seen in excellent health at a drawing room musicale, and a day or two after she was dead, having passed away without suffering, caused by congestion, or, more correctly, a clot of blood on the brain. A short time ago her father died in a similar manner—without warning or speaking. Madame de Picciotto was of Italian parentage, and at the Paris Conservatoire she had won a first prize for piano playing when only twelve years old. Later she studied singing and for the stage which, however, were given up when she married and devoted herself to vocal teaching. She was a splendid musician and had been successful in teaching. Had she been less modest and more willing to become known through publicity she could have been made celebrated as a teacher. Among public singers who had studied with Madame Picciotto at different times were Emma Eames, Suzanne Adams, Chauncey Moor, Minnie Tracey and others. The death of Madame Picciotto will be much regretted by all who knew her.
27The last but one of this season's Students' Reunions was made attractive through the singing of Oscar Seagle, recently returned from an American concert tournée. With splendid voice and style this American baritone was heard in an aria from "Un Ballo in Maschera," Tchaikowsky's "Pilgrim Song" and the "Busslied" of Beethoven. Marie E. Ramzenberger gave great satisfaction with her singing of the "Gesang Weyla's," "Traum durch die Dämmerung," "Aus meinen grossen Schmerzen" and "En prière," by Wolf, Strauss, Franz and Fauré respectively. "Illumined Lives" formed the subject for a discourse to the students by the Rev. Dr. Shurtleff.
29Mrs. Whitney-Hoff's last salon musicale offered an entire program by Raoul Pugno, who played beautifully a delightful selection of morceaux from the works of Bach, Handel, Scarlatti and Beethoven; a four part group of Chopin gems, and a mixed group by Schumann, Weber, Grieg, himself (Sérénade à la Lune"), and the eleventh rhapsodie of Liszt. Among those present were: La Duchesse de Luynes, Comtesse Molitor, Comtesse de Noé, Madame Frederick Blumenthal, Mrs. Harjes, Madame Haviland, Mary Cassatt, Baronne de Graffenried, Madame Guiloux, Madame Peytel, Mlle. Coquelet, Baronne Schelking, Mlle. d'Ussceaux, Madame Landowska, Mrs. King Clark, Mlle. Sassoni, Mrs. Younger, Miss Tracey, Count d'Ussceaux, MM. Morellos, Holman-Black, Charles Foerster, etc.
31Minnie Tracey gave an enjoyable tea-musicale at her home for Emil Sjögren, the Swedish composer. The artists who took part in the program—which was devoted to the visiting composer's music—were Madame Roger-Miclos, in a suite for piano; the fourth sonata, for violin and piano, played by Georges Enesco with the composer; Charles W. Clark sang three of Sjögren's songs, accompanied by the author, and Miss Tracey was heard in three of his "Tannhäuser" songs and two Spanish lieder of his. Among the people present were: M. Lyon (Maison Pleyel), Léon Moreau, Marcel Chailley, René Chausarel, Jane Noria, Chauncey Moor, Madame Rey-Gaufrès, M. Kjellström, Dr. Gustave Richelot, M. and Madame Gaeffe, Mr. Holman-Black, Comtesse de May, Baronne de Fauville, Comtesse St. Brissan, Baronne Salvador, Baronne de Baye, Mrs. Lillie, Madame Noufflard, Charles Lee Gay, Fery
The computer misreads some letters and numbers. Where a name matters to you, read the scan.