Classic Mode

Music Trade Review

Issue: 1880 Vol. 3 N. 5

THE
J Ifcrnl (Mk &
With which is incorporated THE MUSIC TRADE JOURUAL.
YOL. III.
NEW YORK, OCTOBER 5TH, 1880.
No. 5
known. It is not an easy task to create a chorus, able to sing great works,
THE MUSICAL SEASON.
at a moment's notice, and it is not unlikely that the new chorus will only
N a few days the musical season of 1880-81 will be inaugurated, and it help in the Philharmonic concerts during the first season.
looks as if it would be a very lively musical season, Preparations of
Pianists are in this country in abundance. The new comer, Mr. Con-
unusual strength are being made, and if only part of all that is promised will staatin Sternberg, is the first who enters the arena. His debut will be ex-
actually be given, we can claim for New York the title of one of the musical pected with eagerness, and his playing will be severely criticised, for our
centres on the globe.
public is not very lenient towards new-comers. Mr. Rafael Joseffy and
The Italian Opera season begins on the 18th of this month. While we Franz Rummel will make their appearance in orchestral concerts and recitals,
are writing this article no prospectus has been yet issued; consequently we and Mme Constance*Howard, Miss Florence Copleston, and Miss Anna Bock,
feel confident that not too much is to be expected. Managers do not hold are booked for a number of piano recitals.
back when great attractions are in store for their patrons, and we have not
is going to perform under Duff's management; Mme. Rive-
heard of any lady singers besides the names of Etelka Gerster and Annie King Wilhelmj
and company will appear during the season. Mr. Henschel, the ora-
Louise Cary. Both artists are very valuable members of an opera company, torio singer,
will be a welcome addition to our vocal talent, and many other
and the Hungarian prima donna will render her former triumphs in players and singers
are on the lists of Stein way and Chickering Halls.
"Lucia," " Somnambula," and "Puritani." The question is, "Will the pub-
end of the season a grand musical festival will be held at the Ar-
lic be satisfied with the old repertoire, and will not a different kind of opera be mory At of the
the Seventh Regiment. We shall speak about this festival at a later
demanded ?" Since Mr. Mapleson has manipulated in America, the public day. Even
without it the musical season could be called rich and interest-
demanded a dramatic prima donna. Minnie Hauk in this capacity was not ing.
accepted, and Mme. Swift was not recognized at all as a dramatic singer.
When Mapleson left the country in April he promised Christine Nilsson, but
RELIABLE MANAGERS.
this lady has declined with thanks, and we have not received any information
UCH has been said and written about the value of contracts among the
that she has been replaced. So we are led to believe that the whole strength
musical profession, and it is generally considered an established fact that
of the season will rest again on the shoulders of Mme. Gerster, and on the
new opera by Boito, "Mefistofele." If Mapleson would give us more we managers, if business is bad, either do not pay at all, or try to effect a comprise
should be astonished and agreeably disappointed. His ensemble will be with their artists and cancel their contracts in an amicable way. We do not
good, as far as Arditi is able, to put inferior singers in positions where they know of Mr. Mapleson's way of doing business ; there is a mystery no out-
can shine to advantage. Campanini, Del Puente and Galassi will re-appear, sider can unveil. Mr. Mapleson is right; it does not concern the public
and some representations of merit may be anticipated. How long the inter- whether his artists sing for him for love or money, so long as they do sing.
est for Italian opera can be kept alive will depend on the success of Gerster Max Strakosch, when he has a very bad season, and sees that by unforseen
and Boito's opera. There are people who will listen to Donizetti and Bellini circumstances, for instance in case of sickness of a leading prima donna, he
for awhile longer. We do not know whether the number is strong enough would lose a fortune should he continue, tries to settle with his artists, and
always knows how se tirer de Vaffaire in a gentlemanly manner. Fryer, when
to carry the longest part of the season.
undertakes an enterprise breaks up when he pleases, and nobody feels
Max Strakoschjhas given up his former vocation and has become mana- he
surprised. Singers, who sign contracts with him, know beforehand that
ger of English Opera in connection with Mr. C. D. Hess. He opens on the Fryer
no funds; consequently cannot be responsible for salaries, if the
3d of November in Providence, and will not reach New York before March. public has
does
support the enterprise. As a rule, we hardly think that
Unfortunately he has selected the Fifth Avenue theatre for his performances, managers pay not
if
business
does not warrant an outlay, and contracts virtually
a place which is not fitted at all for spectacular opera. As Mr. Strakosch in- lose their meaning. We thought
about that when we heard about the break-
tends to produce " Aida " and " Mefistofele," we do not see how his perform- up
of Jarrett and Gulick's "Musical Phalanx" about three weeks ago.
ances can be digestible on the comparatively small stage of the Fifth Avenue Messrs.
Jarrett & Gulick entered into a partnership for a musical traveling
theatre, even with the best artists in the world. The entire company has combination,
which they called " The Musical Phalanx." Jarrett is the
never been mentioned by the managers. We have heard that Marie Roze, well-known manager
of " Cinderella," formerly connected with the late Harry
Carrington, Gaylord, and many other prime donne have been engaged; that Palmer, lessee of Booth's
theatre, and the excursion boat "Plymouth Rock."
Byron, Carlton and Conly will belong to the troupe; that Behrens and De Gulick was for years in the
artists' department of Frank Leslie's publishing
Novellis will be the musical directors; but a complete list has not been given house. Jarrett is supposed
to be a man of means ; Gulick is known as a
out. We suppose that we shall hear about it soon enough.
poor devil. Those two men entered into partnership, the special terms of
The Abbott Opera Company will play some weeks at the Fifth Avenue which are not known to us. It is said that Gulick conceived the idea of this
theatre. The performances of this company do not exactly belong to the " Phalanx," proposed it to Jarrett, who was pleased with the scheme and
musical season; they are patronized by church members, who have sur- concluded to go into it. While Jarrett undertook the financial management
rounded Miss Emma Abbott with a kind of ill-fitting halo. Opera-habitues Gulick took care of the musical affairs. About the last days of May Jarrett
avoid the Abbott performances very carefully, especially on evenings when went to Europe, and Gulick engaged the company, comprising five solo sing-
the star is billed. We cannot blame them. It is very hard for us to listen ers, a chorus, orchestra ; about seventy people in all. Mr. Jarrett, returning
to the singing of Honest Emma. The bright features of the troupe are Mme. in July, heard the singers, and only then the contracts were signed for the
Rosewald, Mme. Seguin, and the new baritone, James.
whole season. Rehearsals were daily held for several weeks, and on Monday,
Many other opera troupes are in the field : the French troupe, under Sept. 13, the company opened at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, and was
the management of Maurice Grau ; the Boston Ideal Opera Company ; the booked at that house for the entire week. On Wednesday morning, the 15th,
Blanche Boosevelt troupe; the Malm Comic Opera Company; the " Deseret " Jarrett sent word to the members of the troupe that the season has to be
troupe, which will perform Dudley Buck's opera, under Hart Jackson's man- considered closed, as the enterprise promised not to be successful. The
agement ; but all these troupes can hardly add to the splendor of New York's members of the troupe were not willing to believe this message, but further
musical season. They will perform here for a week each, and then run inquiries confirmed the news. Of course soloists, musicians and choristers
through the country till the end of the season or till—they break up on ac- felt indignant, and swore vengeance ; but indignation and vengeance do not
count of financial embarrassments on the part of managers, who are unable to procure salaries, and it seems the only redress is the court-room. But now
we ask, "Are the managers, Jarrett and Gulick, entitled to ignore their sig-
keep pay-days regularly.
The stronghold of our musical season is to be looked for in the concert nature without compromising with their artists ? Or were the contracts signed
enterprises. The Philharmonic Society, under the direction of Theodore on the part of the managers with the intention of defrauding these poor peo-
Thomas, and the Symphony Society, under Dr. Damrosch, have become rival ple, who thought they had found employment for the entire season ?" Mr.
institutions, at least as far as conductors are concerned. The members of the Jarrett should have considered the outlay of the enterprise and the possible
orchestras are nearly the same in both societies, with the slight difference that receipts beforehand ; he is considered an experienced manager, but in this
while being shareholders in the receipts of the Philharmonic, they are paid case he acted like a stupid boy, who never had anything to do in his life with
for their services by the Symphony Society ; consequently the financial suc- the show business. We hope that the disappointed members of the defunct
cess of the latter does not concern them one way or the other. The rivalry company will find means and ways to make Mr. Jarrett pay them part of their
between Thomas and Damrosch will do a great deal of good, and our public contract. There is a law in the United States, and managers can be forced
will derive a benefit from it, provided the competition does not take the to comply with their part of the contract, just as artists, who are inclined to
shape of personal ambition. It is useless trying to outflank a competitor by be rebellious, can be brought to reason. Mr. Jarrett has lost the reputation
little tricks, which will do harm to the performances, and it would be equally of being called a reliable manager, and will henceforth be counted among
foolish if one would attempt to outdo the other. Let both men stand on the class of fellows who sign agreements without the least scruple. We know
their individual merits ; they can be satisfied with those, and their individu- that some of the artists could have accepted other engagements, which now,
alistic qualities differ so widely that they never need to clash. We suppose of course, are lost to them. Is it unreasonable to ask that they should be
that the programmes of both societies will be very strong and bring out many indemnified in one way or the other ?
novelties.
There are a series of orchestral concerts announced to take place during
GOLDSTEIN.—A young man by the name of Max Goldstein, who form-
the winter season under the direction of Mr. Gotthold Carlberg, but par-
ticulars about this enterprise have not been mentioned yet. We have reason erly wrote here for German newspapers, and for a short time was editor of
to believe that these concerts too will have a symphonic character. The the German Musikzeitung, which he buried about a year ago, has become
Oratorio Society will give three concerts, and several other choral organiza- editor of a Berlin musical paper, to be bought out in October. In New
tions are preparing entertainments of more modest character. What the chorus, York he had become impossible; we are glad that he found a permanent
now forming under direction of Mr. Thomas, will do this winter, is not position in the capital of the German Empire.
I
M
THE MUSICAL CRITIC AND TRADE REVIEW.
MUSICAL NOTES.
AT HOME.
DESERET.—The new comic opera «' Deseret," by Dudley Buck and W. A. Croffutt,
is to be produced at Haverly's Fourteenth Street theatre, October 11. The company
includes Misses Julia Polk, Belle Cole and Kate French, and Messrs. Charles F. Lang,
W. G. Coggswell, J. Evarde, and W. J. Marks.
October 5th, 1880.
STERNBERG.—Mr. Constantin Sternberg, the Russian pianist, will make his debut
at the Academy of Music on Thursday evening October 7th. He will perform on this
occasion, Schawerenka's concerto in B flat minor with orchestra, a series, called
" Aus dem Norwegischen Volksleben" by Grieg, and Liszt's " Rhapsodie Espaquole."
The orchestra of 70 performers under the direction of Mr. Gotthold Carlberg, will inter-
pret Meyerbeer's overture, "Struensee,'' and for the first time in this city, Richard Wag-
ner's "Procession of the Gods," from "Rheingsld." The same programme will be
repeated at the matinee on October 9th.
KEPPLER.—Mr. William Keppler, a musician, formerly at Galveston, Texas, now
resident of this city, has completed an opera in three acts, entitled "Nourmahal, or the
Feast of Roses." An opera of the same name, was composed by Spontini.
T H E HUB.—There is a movement being made among several prominent capitalists
to establish in Boston a similar concert garden to Messrs. Koster & Bial's, of New York. '
It is proposed to have a fine orchestra, and also to have beer sold, as it is claimed that the
place could not be made to pay without it. A place like Koster & Bial's would hardly
SYMPHONY SOCIETY.—The Symphony Society will give during this season the usual
pay in puritanical Boston, at least not for the next fifty years.
six concerts, each concert to be preceded by a public rehearsal. The large orchestra of
the society has been still further increased, and comprises the best musicians in the city.
MEYERHOEFER.—Professor Wm. Meyerhoefer died in the City Hospital in Louisville, By the continued courtesy of the Oratorio and Arion societies, the Symphony Society will
Ky., on the 20th ult. The deceased was well known as an excellent teacher of Harmony have the assistance of their large and well-known choral forces. In addition to standard
and Counterpoint.
works a number of new and interesting compositions have been secured which will be per-
HARDING.—Miss Rose Harding, a promising young pupil of Mr. Arbuckle, the cor- formed during the season. The demand for a repetition of Berlioz's " L a Damnation de
Faust," has been so general and so urgent that the society will repeat this popular work
netist, is announced to appear in concerts during the coming winter.
at one of the regular concerts of this season. Engagements have been made for filling
ABELL.—Miss Edith Abell has settled to give private instructions in voice culture, the principal solo parts with distinguished soloists who have not before been heard in this
and to prepare pupils for the operatic stage, in Boston. Sic transit gloria mundi ! After work. Another of Berlioz's grand compositions for soli, chorus and orchestra is in pre-
many years study in Italy and numberless appearances on several stages with " luminous paration. The dates of the first public rehearsal and concert are Thursday afternoon,
success," she returns to her own country " t o become a teacher !"
November 4, and Saturday evening, November 6.
W O O L F . — " Lawn Tennis," by B. E. Woolf, at the Park theatre, was received by
ORATORIO SOCIETY.—The Oratorio Society of New York will give only three public
the New York audiences in a pleasant spirit. The incidental music by the author shows a rehearsals and three concerts during this season, owing to the great demand that the work
very marked talent for musical composition.
of preparation for the musical festival of May, 1881, will make upon the time and efforts
A Music SCHOOL IN THE SOUTH.—An Atlanta, Ga., paper, writes: " W e have of the society. The season will begin at Steinway Hall, with the performance of Men-
never had a musical institution per se, separate from literary institutions, until a few years delssohn's oratorio of "Elijah," at a public rehearsal, Friday afternoon, November 26,
ago the accomplished artists, Ernest Augustus Schultze and his accomplished wife, Mdme. and at a concert Saturday evening, November 27. The annual performance of the
Emma Von der Hoya Schultze, started a musical institute. Such has been their success " Messiah " will take place during the Christmas week. At the third performance of the
season the society will produce "L'Allegro, II Penseroso, ed II Moderato," by Handel,
that the institute has developed into a thorough Conservatory of Music."
the first two parts being adapted to Milton's well-known poems, and the third part to
PHILHARMONIC.^—The dates of the six public afternoon rehearsals of the New York words written by Charles Jennens. It has never been performed in America. Mr.
Philharmonic Society, at the Academy of Music, are as follows : Nov. 12, Dec. 10, Jan. George Henschel, the renowned baritone, has been engaged for all the concerts of the
14, Feb. 11, March I I , April 8. The concerts will be given the succeeding evenings at society.
the same place. Subscribers of last season who wish to retain their seats can secure them at
KOSTER & BIAL'S.—Mr. Rudolf Bial has decided on the following arrangements for
the Academy of Mmic from Monday, Oct. 25, until Saturday, Oct. 30, inclusive. After
the latter date seats will be sold to new subscribers. The conductor will be Mr. Theodore the fall and winter season. He will give a series of popular concerts on Sundays, Mon-
days,
Wednesdays and Saturdays. On Tuesdays and Fridays the programmes will be
Thomas, and the orchestra will number about 100 members. For the first concert the
programme will be : Symphony Eroica, op. 55, Beethoven ; Concerto for piano, Henselt; semi-classical, and Thursdays will be devoted to classical music, which will be executed
Introduction, third act " D i e Meistersinger," Wagner; Harold Symphony, Berlioz. by an increased orchestra with the assistance of soloists. The programmes of the classical
Herr Joseffy will be the pianist, and Mr. Max Schwarz will be the solo viola. Later in nights will include a symphony. The first of these nights took place on Thursday, Sep-
the season the society will perform Beethoven's Ninth Symphony with the chorus which tember 30, which was a Beethoven night. The soloist on this occasion was Miss Florence
is now organizing. Rehearsals of this body will be commenced the second week in Oc- Copleston, who performed the Concerto in C minor, with Reinecke's Cadenza.
tober.
SEVENTH'S BAND.—The Seventh's band is to be put in charge of Chas. W. Wernig,
OPENING.—Mr. Theo. Thomas and his orchestra, with Mr. Joseffy, the pianist, as who took the baton for the first time in that capacity on Thursday evening September
30th, when the subscriber's reception was held in the new armory. Grafulla will remain
soloist, will inaugurate the concert season at Steinway Hall on Friday, October 22.
with the regiment as a supernumerary bandmaster and no change will be made in the
BROOKLYN .PHILHARMONIC.—The Brooklyn Philharmonic Society expect to have composition of the band.
great success with their proposed chorus. Some musicians say they can have 500 voices
HUEBNER.—Carl Huebner died on September 26th, at the Bellevue hospital from
if they are wanted.
the effects of a fall from a Third Avenue car. He was in former years a tenor, and wrote
A RUMOR—It is said that this will be last season of Steinway Hall, the proprietors musical criticisms for German papers. Of late he was librarian and secretary of the Ger-
having found that the necessities of their regular business make it desirable to devote the mania theatre. The deceased was a good musician and gifted with an extremely critical
floor to other purposes than concerts.
ear.
RIVE-KING.—The Rivd-King Concert Company, which will soon depart upon a
THOMAS.—Mr. Theodore Thomas has entirely recovered from his recent illness, and
tour, includes Mme. Rive-King, the pianist; Signora Laura-Bellini, Soprano; Signora has left for Cincinnati to form the chorus for the festival in 1882. Immediately after his
Mabelli, contralto ; Herr Richter, violin soloist ; Mr. Gus. Broderick, basso, and Mr. return he will begin rehearsals for the first concert of the New York Philharmonic
F. Dulcken, musical director.
Society.
WILSON.—Miss Ida Hood is engaged upon the libretto of a comic opera, for which
MULLER.—Mr. Wilhelm Muller, the violoncellist, will give a concert at Steinway
Mr. G. D. Wilson, of Nyack, is writing the music. It is to be called " A Royal Jest." Hall on November 23d, assisted by Miss Fanny Pollak, soprano ; Miss Annie Bock,
PHILHARMONIC CLUB.—The Philharmonic Club will have Messrs. S. B. Mills and pianist, and other artists.
Richard Hoffman as pianists this season in their course of six concerts of chamber music.
HARLEM CHORUS.—The Harlem Mendelssohn Union under the direction of Dr.
The concerts will take place at Chickering Hall on Nov. 9, Dec. 2, Jan. 4, Febr. 8, March Damrosch began their rehearsals on Monday evening September 27th.
8, April 5.
METROPOLITAN CONCERT HALL.—The management of this hall have given some
AMATEUR ORCHESTRA.—The Mozart Musical Union held their first regular meeting very successful Sunday concerts with the assistance of Mile. Paola Marie, Mile. Albert and
of the season of 1880 and 1881 on Tuesday evening, September 21, 1880, at Clarendon the principal artists of Mr. Grau's opera bouffe troupe.
Hall. The rehearsals and concerts are under the direction of Professor Fanciulli.
FRENCH OPERA.—After a run of three weeks Offenbach's " L a Fille de Tambour
ITALIAN OPERA COMPANY.—The Tagliapietra Grand Italian Opera Company are Major" will be shelved for the present, and " L e petit D u e " and " L e s cloches de
making a tour of the most important Canadian cities. The organization comprises the Corneville" are on the repertoire for the purpose of introducing several new artists.
following members:—Mile. Marie Litta, Mile. W. Zelna, Signor Baldanza, Signor
FREYGANG.—Alexander Freygang, the harp-player, has permanently settled in New
Tagliapietra, Mile. Anna Rosetti, Miss Mathilde Phillipps, Signor Ugo Talbo, Signor
York.
Fillippi, Signor Cruvelli, and a strong chorus. The conductor is Signor Guerra.
STARILLE.—" Mr. Charles Slarille, a tenor robusto, has been engaged by Mr. Mahn
FEININGER.—Mrs. Carl Feininger has been sick for nearly two months with pneu- for his English Comic Opera Troupe, which will commence its season at the Grand Opera
monia, and the projected series of Chamber Music concerts by Mr. and Mrs. Feminger for House on October 18 next. Mr. Marille has just arrived in this city, and ihose who have
the coming season has been given up.
heard him sing speak in the highest terms of his voice. The opening opera will be " Boc-
A DISTINGUISHED PARTY.—Among the passengers by the S. S. City of Richmond caccio."—Evening Telegram. We suspect under the name of Starille, the German tenor
were : Col. Mapleson, Etelka Gerster, Anna de Belocca, Signor Arditi, and Marie Sternberg, who was heralded as one of the most wonderful tenors of his age. Well, we
must say, it is rather modest for a man who sings " Prophet" and "Trovatore " to make his
R6ze.
debut in " Boccaccio," but better good in Suppe's works, than bad in Meyerbeer.
BARNES.—Mr. F. E. Lucy Barnes, formerly assistant organist of Trinity Church,
ROOSEVELT.—The opera season at the Union Square theatre was interrupted on Satur-
New York, committed suicide in Montreal at eight o'clock on the night of Sept. 21 by
shooting himself in the mouth with a revolver. It was kept a close secret until the next day, September 25 th, and Miss Blanche Roosevelt, whose health is very poor at present,
morning, when the announcement was made that he had died from heart disease. It was has been compelled to abandon her original design to appear at the Union Square in a
not until the Coroner's jury sat that the truth came out. Mr. Barnes was looked upon new opera. She will retire to the country and rest for some time, and when completely
here as an eccentric musical genius, and his accomplishments were of a high order. He remvigorated will produce the "Mask of Tandora," in which she will sing the part of the
had been playing during the Dominion Exhibition, and was rather overworked. This, heroine. Poor Blanche! she has been so happy as a singer, and now managerial cares have
added to a pecuniary embarrassment and disappointment concerning the position of organist robbed her of good spirits. As we said in our last issue : A beautiful woman should
in the American Presbyterian Church, Montreal, is supposed to have been the cause of never take up the reins of management.
the rash deed. His wife has been playing in New York with the Roosevelt Company,
BALTIMORE.—They talked three months ago in the monumental city of a big musical
in the Union Square theatre, under the name of Miss Braham.
festival. Committees were appointed, but no money was forthcoming. The nearer the
CARY.—Miss Annie Louise Cary had a most enthusiastic reception at her native city, time of the festival drew the more the scheme of the festival dwindled down, and now,
finally, they have concluded that the Sesqui-Centennial celebration would be just as grand
Portland, on Tuesday evening, September 28, when she appeared in concert.
THAYER.—The Kate Thayer concert combination for this season will include Miss without any special musical feature.
Kate Thayer, soprano ; Mr. Alfred Wilkie, tenor; Miss Henrietta Maurer, pianist, and
NEW COMBINATION.—The Jollities Combination (which is to perform the " Electrical
Cortis's original Spanish students ; Mr. WilL E. Chapman, manager.
Doll"), newly organized and under the able management of Mr. F. C. Pitman, ofBoston,
CHURCH CONCERT.—A concert will be given at the Madison Avenue Church of the will soon start on an extended tour of the New England States, and play a week's
Disciples on October 5th. The artists are Mrs. Florence Rice-Knox, contralto; Mis, engagement at the Gaity theatre, beginning December 13th. The company includes
Kate Percy Douglas, soprano ; Messrs, S. B. and W. F. Mills, pianists; F . G. Bournes Miss Lillian Brown, formerly of the Boston Museum Company, Miss Efne Vaughn, of Wal-
lack's.W. Stanley Felch,-and Mr. Frank Daniels. Mr. J. A. Norris has in charge the musical
basso, and Henry Gait, reader.
ARBUCKLE.—The concerts given by Mr. Arbuckle at the American Institute Exhi- part of the opera, and will conduct the orchestra.
bition have proved a great success. The programmes, both afternoon and evening, are
NORRIS—Mr, J. A. Norris, organist, has been awarded the first prize of $25 offered
of sufficient length to give full satisfaction and varied enough to suit all tastes.
by the Musical Herald, for the best hymn tune. The committee consisted of Carl Zer-
WINANT.—Miss Emily Winant, the contralto, has been engaged by the Handel and rahn, J. C. D. Parker, S. A. Emery, L. C. Elson and C. H. Morse, and a large number
Haydn Society of Boston to sing in the oratorios in that city on the n t h and 13th of of pieces were offered for competition of more or less merit. The names of the competit-
ors were not known to the committee.
October. " T h e Messiah" and "Elijah" will be performed.

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