Books › Musical Courier 1928-06-21: Vol 96 Iss 25, 1928 › scan 17
Scan 17
Musical Courier 1928-06-21: Vol 96 Iss 25, 1928
45 lines. Read by computer on 29 September 2026, twice; the two readings disagreed in places. Printed page 18. See the scan on archive.org.
1Mark Oster's Activities as Singer and Teacher
2When Mark Oster was a member of the Chicago Civic Opera Company and also of the Ravinia Opera he won the unanimous praise of public and press alike as a most reliable, routed artist, particularly well schooled in Wagnerian opera. Mr. Oster gained his reputation as an opera baritone abroad, having appeared with most of the leading opera companies in Germany, France and Italy. one of two readings
3When Mark Oster was a member of the Chicago Civic Opera Company and also of the Ravinia Opera he won the unanimous praise of public and press alike as a most reliable, routine artist, particularly well schooled in Wagnerian opera. Mr. Oster gained his reputation as an opera baritone abroad, having appeared with most of the leading opera companies in Germany, France and Italy. one of two readings
5During the past season he has been enjoying success as a member of the cast in the productions of the German Admirers of Art at the Auditorium in Chicago, singing leading baritone parts in the Gypsy Baron, The Beggar Student, Die Glocke, and others. After his performance of Max Bruch's Die Glocke, Herman Devries, in the Chicago Evening American, said, "Mr. Oster sang very well, shading like an artist, and evidently in excellent voice." The Chicago Daily News critic, Maurice Rosenfeld, was of the opinion that the baritone's opening air, "though written for basso, was impressively interpreted."
7Mr. Oster's teaching activities occupy a good part of his time, for his voice class is a large one. Many of his pupils are making names for themselves in the professional field and reflecting the excellence of his training singing in concert, opera, oratorio and occupying church and teaching positions. Max Brodsky, tenor, one of his most illustrious professional pupils, returned recently from a tour of Australia, to remain in Chicago for some coaching, only to sail again for London, where he has many concert engagements. Mary Krakowsky is at present on a fourteen weeks' tour under the Redpath Bureau, as is Otto Jensen. Mary Birowitz is filling a ten weeks' engagement on the road. Mildred Zell and Mrs. Griebnitz, sopranos, are kept busy singing with various societies, theaters and churches in and around Chicago.
9Mr. Oster will have a summer class at his studio until August, when he will take a few weeks off for rest and recreation. From all indications now he will have a busy summer, as many of his students are anxious for further study, from which their professional engagements often prevent them.
11Alfredo Squeo Gives Recital
12Alfredo Squeo, violinist, gave a recital recently for the Westchester Women's Club of Mount Vernon, assisted by Florence Lyons, mezzo-soprano. The program was marked by a number of compositions of Mr. Squeo, one, a concerto in D minor proving a very worthy effort. The Mount Vernon Daily Argus stated: "Smoothness of tone characterized all of Mr. Squeo's playing, but it was in compositions of his own that his artistry was really shown. The Allegro Moderato in the concerto was brilliantly executed. The Chanson d'Amour was given with dulcet tones and warmth of feeling. Through both his compositions and his playing Mr. Squeo proved himself an artist."
14Jeritza Wins Fresh Triumphs in Copenhagen
15New Italian Conductor a Sensation—Furtwängler's Visit the Usual Success
16COPENHAGEN.—The opera season here closed in a blaze of glory with the advent of Maria Jeritza in four guest performances; most popular were, of course, her Tosca and Carmen.
18Her fourth appearance was a repetition of Tosca, which was given after the ordinary season for the benefit of the opera pension fund. Needless to say, the house was sold out at increased prices and the evening was a triumph for Jeritza. Elizabeth in Tannhäuser completed her offerings.
20An excellent new Italian conductor, Egisto Tango, made his bow to Copenhagen the preceding week at the head of a visiting Italian opera company. In five performances of such well-tried works as Aida, Rigoletto, Un Ballo in Maschera, Trovatore and Sonnambula, he displayed rare faculties as a leader.
22Despite the fact that with two exceptions the vocal material was poor, Tango achieved an ensemble of exceptional beauty, while the always excellent Copenhagen orchestra and chorus, have for years not displayed such rhythmic buoyancy, abandon, power and ravishing pianissimi as under his magic baton. Small wonder that after every performance he had an unprecedented number of recalls.
24A NEW OPERA ON DON JUAN.
25The only new work produced during the spring season was Alfred Tofft's opera, Anathema. It treats the Don Juan motive in a prologue and three acts, which neither musically nor poetically justify his use of a theme already handled in so masterly a manner by a greater man.
27In the concert world the greatest event by far has been the visit of Wilhelm Furtwängler with the Berlin Philharmonic. In two concerts he gave inspired performances of Brahms' C minor symphony, Beethoven's Seventh, the Egmont overture and Leonore No. 3. The external signs of success were the presence of the Queen and the Crown Prince in the royal box, the presentation of laurel wreaths and innumerable recalls.
29Concert of Oddone Sommovigo Pupils
30Under the auspices of the All Nation's Opera Society, pupils of Oddone Sommovigo again appeared in concert, this time in the auditorium of Washington Irving High School, on the evening of June 10. Those participating were: Frances Caruso, soprano; Danielle Morales, baritone; Clara Giannini, soprano; Louis Barbaria, tenor; Rhea Rinsky, coloratura soprano; Salvatore Artino, bass; Mary Celai, coloratura soprano; Ruth Lawrence, soprano; Barnett Alper, bass. Frances De Nicola, Mario La Porta, and Cecelia Luciano supplied interludes of piano solos, and Maestro Sommovigo played the accompaniments for the singers.
32The students displayed voices of unusual quality and power. The operatic arias and duets presented included the most difficult test pieces in the literature, and the manner of their performance reflected the highest credit on the teaching method of Maestro Sommovigo.
34Anna Case Completes Tour
35Anna Case, soprano, who recently concluded a tour of thirty-four concerts with success, was engaged to sing two recitals at the Normal University, Normal, Ill., on June 21 and 22. Miss Case will also sing at the Ocean Grove Auditorium in New Jersey on July 7 and then sails for Europe where she will remain until October, returning in time to commence her 1928-29 concert season on October 15.
37Civic Symphony of San Diego to Give Summer Concerts
38The purpose of the Civic Symphony Orchestra Association of San Diego, Cal., is to give the people of that city the educational, cultural and recreational benefits of the music of an orchestra of symphonic proportions. Through this organization, many fine amateur and professional musicians of San Diego will be given the opportunity to use their talent. During the coming summer, which will be the first season of the orchestra, eight Sunday afternoon concerts will be given, commencing July 1 and continuing for eight successive Sundays, at Organ Pavilion, Balboa Park. The conductor will be Nino Marcelli, who is gaining a wide reputation as conductor and composer. These concerts are made possible by the cooperation of the musicians of San Diego who have agreed to play for whatever the association can afford to pay through the sale of tickets. It is understood that the details of this plan have been approved by the Musicians Protective Association. The orchestra is composed of seventy members and will present programs of the best music appealing to the average music lover. Over sixty clubs and organizations of San Diego have appointed representatives on the board of directors of the Civic Orchestra Association and are actively engaged in promoting this new development of San Diego's musical life.
40Naegele Judges Chicago Piano Playing Tournament
41On June 18, the final examinations of the Chicago Piano Playing Tournament took place. The three judges for this event were Charles Naegele, George Liebling and Augusta Cottlow. Over five thousand children contested for appearance in the finals and of these some twenty were selected. There were cash awards as well as gold and silver medals. The occasion created great interest throughout the middle west.
43Aaron Copland to Play at Hollywood Bowl
44Aaron Copland will appear as soloist at the Hollywood Bowl on July 20 in a performance of his Jazz Concerto under the baton of Albert Coates. Mr. Coates will conduct the first two weeks of the Hollywood Bowl season, the first concert taking place on July 10.
The computer misreads some letters and numbers. Where a name matters to you, read the scan.