Books › Musical Courier 1927-01-13: Vol 94 Iss 2, 1927 › scan 48
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Musical Courier 1927-01-13: Vol 94 Iss 2, 1927
105 lines. Read by computer on 27 September 2026, twice; the two readings disagreed in places. No printed page number was found. See the scan on archive.org.
1January 13, 1927
3Shuberts Present The Nightingale
4Messrs. Shubert presented The Nightingale, a musical romance based on the Life of Jenny Lind, at the Jolson Theater on Monday night, January 3, with an excellent cast headed by Eleanor Painter, and featuring Stanley Lupino, Tom Wise and Ralph Errolle. From the out-set it must be stated that it would be hard to find two better singers than Miss Painter and Mr. Errolle. Both sang unusually well and fitted snugly into their respective parts of Jenny Lind and Captain Rex Gurnee, the young American army officer, with whom the Swedish singer falls in love—in the play. According to the authors—Guy Bolton, who has provided a mighty fine book, and P. G. Wodehouse, responsible for the lyrics—an effort was made to adhere, as far as possible, to the historical sequences, "without doing violence to the characters depicted." In reality Mme. Lind was supposed to have been in love with a young Englishman in the service of Queen Victoria. As in the play, the engagement was broken off, and the singer subsequently married her faithful accompanist and friend of all times, Otto Goldschmidt. In the final act, one is therefore led to believe the singer will marry the German, Captain Gurnee having married a year previous, after losing his belief in Jenny Lind. Signor Belletti, her assisting tenor, also has, so to speak, "passed out of the picture."
6Throughout the performance, the singing was unusually good. Ever since the male chorus of The Student Prince took New York by surprise, the Shubert productions have had a similar 'body of singers. The Nightingale is no exception. It has a male chorus of about forty virile voices who drill remarkably well between times, and sing with a tonal beauty and finesse that would be difficult to match. In the second act, their piece de resistance came with the Negro Spirituals, which brought down the house—and justly so! Again their singing from back stage as the curtain fell on the last act was most effective. Nor must the chorus of girls be forgotten. How charming they looked in the billowy silken costumes of that period (1850) and how gracefully they moved about in the intricacy of the popular dance of that time—the polka. In addition, they not only were pretty, and refreshingly so, but also had intelligence and showed it in their singing, each seeming to have to her credit a servicable voice. It must be added that in the better class musical comedies of today one finds many aspiring vocal students from the various studios, and what admirable training they are receiving. Musical comedy today is a haven for youngsters, and a font of experience is theirs for the trying. one of two readings
7Throughout the performance, the singing was unusually good. Ever since the male chorus of The Student Prince took New York by surprise, the Shubert productions have had a similar body of singers. The Nightingale is no exception. It has a male chorus of about forty virile voices who drill remarkably well between times, and sing with a tonal beauty and finesse that would be difficult to match. In the second act, their piece de resistance came with the Negro Spirituals, which brought down the house—and justly so! Again their singing from back stage as the curtain fell on the last act was most effective. Nor must the chorus of girls be forgotten. How charming they looked in the billowy silken costumes of that period (1850) and how gracefully they moved about in the intricacy of the popular dance of that time—the polka. In addition, they not only were pretty, and refreshingly so, but also had intelligence and showed it in their singing, each seeming to have to her credit a servicable voice. It must be added that in the better class musical comedies of today one finds many aspiring vocal students from the various studios, and what admirable training they are receiving. Musical comedy today is a haven for youngsters, and a font of experience is theirs for the trying. one of two readings
9The last time the writer saw Miss Painter was in The Chiffon Girl. She seems now to be in the best vocal condition in years. She looked the part of Jenny Lind, and when she sang she did extremely well, her upper notes being full and resonant and well produced. She was down on the program to sing Comin' Thro' the Rye in the farewell scene, but she was heard in The Last Rose of Summer, which was exquisitely done.
11In May Moon, the popular duet she sings with Mr. Errolle, both did very artistic work. Mention also should be made of how true to life the happenings of the bedroom scene are in the life of a present day prima donna. To them the real humor of the occasion was given home.
13Ralph Errolle, recently a member of the Metropolitan Opera Company, is a valuable addition to the legitimate stage. He is the possessor of a voice of admirable tenor quality, sings with good style and effect, and looked handsome in his uniform. He acted as well as his part would permit. But his wig—or was it his own hair plastered down?—should be remedied, because it detracts from his appearance.
15Tom Wise, at home in the part of P. T. Barnum, having appeared here some time ago in a play of that name, did well in the part of that famous character. The comedy fell to Stanley Lupino, that irresistible rough and tumble comedian, who has the capacity for making his audience laugh by just looking at him. He had a clever little partner in Violet Carson, late of The Student Prince; a natural born comedian, she dances well and sings rather cleverly, as was shown in the trio in the first scene of the first act. A word, too, for the singing of Ivan Dneproff as Belletti, whose typical open Italian method of singing quite won the audience. William Tucker as Goldschmidt was sympathetic, and revealed a voice of agreeable quality.
17The score by Armand Vecsey is of a high standard of merit, but whether his tunes will become popular is yet to be discovered. He has given the singers plenty to do and music that requires good singers. The most favored of the numbers were: Waltz Song, May Moon and Two Little Ships, with a comic song, He Doesn't Know, which was highly amusing as sung by Lupino. Once in September, also, must be listed among these.
19There come to mind only two criticisms: the performance is too long and could easily be cut in places, so as to make it less draggy, and Lucius Henderson as Major General Gurnee over-acted very considerably. Otherwise The Nightingale is enjoyable to the extreme and well worth seeing and hearing.
21Major Bowes' "Family" Travels South
22The "Family" of Major Edward Bowes, which gladdens the air every Sunday evening from the stage and broadcasting studio of the Capitol Theater, increased its aerial empire on January 9. The area reached by this popular group of artists, extending along the Atlantic seaboard and out to the Middle West, has been enlarged by the addition of two southern stations—WHAS, Louisville, Ky.; and WSB, Atlanta, Ga. By way of welcoming these new members to the vast Capitol "Family" circle, Major Bowes has arranged a group of special southern numbers including songs and selections typical of the spirit and traditions of the sunny Southland. The addition of the two southern stations enlarges the Capitol chain to a total of ten stations.
24At the Mark Strand
25Again the Mark Strand presented a fine bill, for the week of January 1, the feature picture of which was The Lady in Ermine with Corinne Griffith. While the film was interesting, it did not take away from the merit of the balance of the program. The overture was Tchaikovsky's Marche Slav, Alois Reiser having his men well in hand throughout. Then came the Topical Review, with appropriate music, followed by the now interestingly-looked-forward-to frolic of Joseph Plunkett, which included two numbers of last week, the clever Box of Sailors in which the ballet and Male Quartet do some excellent work, and The Enchanted Forest, effectively set, with Mlle. Klemova, Nickolas Daks and the ballet. The finale was participated in by the quartet, Fay Adler and Ted Bradford, an addition to the program, the Trado Twins, skillful dancers, some in his uniform. He acted as well as his part would permit. But his wig—or was it his own hair plastered down?—should be remedied, because it detracts from his appearance.
27Tom Wise, at home in the part of P. T. Barnum, having appeared here some time ago in a play of that name, did well in the part of that famous character. The comedy fell to Stanley Lupino, that irresistible rough and tumble comedian, who has the capacity for making his audience laugh by just looking at him. He had a clever little partner in Violet Carson, late of The Student Prince; a natural born comedian, she dances well and sings rather cleverly, as was shown in the trio in the first scene of the first act. A word, too, for the singing of Ivan Dneproff as Belletti, whose typical open Italian method of singing quite won the audience. William Tucker as Goldschmidt was sympathetic, and revealed a voice of agreeable quality.
29The score by Armand Vecsey is of a high standard of merit, but whether his tunes will become popular is yet to be discovered. He has given the singers plenty to do and music that requires good singers. The most favored of the numbers were: Waltz Song, May Moon and Two Little Ships, with a comic song, He Doesn't Know, which was highly amusing as sung by Lupino. Once in September, also, must be listed among these.
31There come to mind only two criticisms: the performance is too long and could easily be cut in places, so as to make it less draggy, and Lucius Henderson as Major General Gurnee over-acted very considerably. Otherwise The Nightingale is enjoyable to the extreme and well worth seeing and hearing.
33AMUSEMENTS
34MARK STRAND BROADWAY AT 47th STREET
35DIR. JOSEPH PLUNKETT
36BEGINNING SATURDAY, JAN. 15th
37William Fox presents
38"THE MUSIC MASTER"
39with LOIS MORAN, ALEC B. FRANCIS, NEIL HAMILTON, NORMAN TREVOR
40STRAND SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
42George Kiddon, etc. Pauline Miller, in good voice, sang the brilliant L'Amour Toujour L'Amour by Friml, and Bernardo De Pace, down on the program as The Wizard of the Mandolin, came in for his share of the audience's favor. He is amusing and his offering refreshingly different from the ordinary type of artist. Following the feature, a new Hy Mayer cartoon, Tripping the Rhine, and organ selections closed the very entertaining bill.
44Hotel Biltmore Musicale
45The Biltmore Musical Morning was a particularly interesting and stimulative occasion, with Moriz Rosenthal, Queena Mario, and Dorothea Flexer to furnish the tonal treats. The trio of artists were in fine form, the audience responded warmly, and encores were as plentiful as the near luncheon hour would permit.
47Turso, DeAngelis and Ruisi in Concert
48Pauline Turso, studying at the Avitabile Studios, of which Marian Talley is a product, will be assisted in her grand opera concert at Aeolian Hall, New York, to-night, January 13, by F. DeAngelis, tenor, and N. Ruisi, basso.
50SUMMY'S CORNER
51Violin Bow Technic
52By Henry Hoaré
53Price: $1.50
54An outstanding work dealing with this particular phase of Violin artistry. Devoted exclusively to the problems surrounding the Bow and the fundamental principles of its technic. Available in all stages of Violin playing.
55It has received well merited praise from noted Violinists such as—
56Arthur Hartmann
57Jacques Gordon
58Alexander Bloch
59Otto Fessler
60Louis Persinger
61Hugo Kortschak
62Paul Vernon
63Adolf Weidig
64Joseph H. Chapek
65CLAYTON F. SUMMY CO., Publishers
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68DORWIN'S VIOLIN STUDIO
69A School of Individual Instruction
70528 1/2 Penn St.
71Reading, Pa.
72MME. CAROLINE LOWE
73VOCAL TEACHER AND COACH
74Theatrical Singers' Troubles Adjusted
75Studio: Chickering Hall, 29 W. 57th St. Studio 7A N.Y. Plaza 269
76MARGUERITE POTTER
77singer and vocal pedagogue, will deliver an illustrated lecture on "The Vocal Problem," Wednesday evenings beginning January 12th at 8.30. Admission by card only. Address: Secretary, 817 Steinway Hall, 109 West 57th Street, New York.
79GERMANY'S FOREMOST OPERATIC BUREAU
80Special official representative: Berlin State Opera. Placing artists with Munich, Dresden and all other leading German opera houses. Also Barcelona and Madrid. Correspondence in English.
81MERTENS, BERLIN
82Dorotheen Strasse 78
84STUDIO—For daytime, instrumental use; small musicales—lessons—practising. Steinway piano. Moderate rates. Adele Alexander, 513 West 110th Street, (near Broadway Subway, Fifth Avenue and Riverside buses), New York. Telephone: Cathedral 2329.
86OPPORTUNITIES
87The Vanderbilt Studios of New York
88Mrs. Mabel Duble-Scheele, Proprietor
89342 West 56th Street
9015 East Ninth Street
9115 East 38th Street
92342 WEST 56th STREET
93Two, three, five room studio suites, having housekeeping facilities, with one or two baths, at moderate rentals. 15 East 38th Street, piano studios rented by the hour, Lexington 10125.
94YOUNG MAN, pianist-teacher, excellent musical background, graduate large music school, member faculty three years, European study leading masters, desires to affiliate with music school. Address: "W. E. D." care of MUSICAL COURIER, 437 Fifth Avenue, New York.
96FOR SALE—CELLO—Landolfi, 7/8 size, splendid condition, wonderful tone. VIOLA—Storioni, 1785, excellent state and tone. VIOLA—Ceruti, 1803, beautiful instrument. Certificates of authenticity. Reasonable prices. Address: "L. S. C." care of MUSICAL COURIER, 437 Fifth Avenue, New York.
98TO RENT PART TIME, attractively furnished studio with piano, reception room, and lavatory. Most desirable for teaching. To be seen by appointment. 4 West 40th Street, New York. Telephone Longacre 9127.
100ATTRACTION small office with separate entrance to sublet, Steinway Building, furnished or unfurnished, including use telephone and if desired part time stenographer-secretary experienced booking artists. Write Becker, Room 1619 or telephone Circle 3501.
102METROPOLITAN OPERA HOUSE STUDIOS—Several large studios are available unfurnished on yearly lease, also sublet part time. For particulars inquire of Manager, Mr. Black, 1425 Broadway, New York. Tel.: Penn 2634.
104STUDIO—For daytime, instrumental use; small musicales—lessons—practising. Steinway piano. Moderate rates. Adele Alexander, 513 West 110th Street, (near Broadway Subway, Fifth Avenue and Riverside buses), New York. Telephone: Cathedral 2329.
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