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June 20th, 1881.
THE MUSICAL CRITIC AND TRADE REVIEW.
146
in several instances there was no communication between the manager and
certain artists except in writing or through the medium of a third person.
This condition naturally leads to the question what is to be the outcome of
Mr. Mapleson's next season in New York. There are a number of favorities
whom he cannot engage. If he expects that people are going to pay money
to listen to di Murska and Runcio he must be suffering under a singular
form of delusion! He will have to meet the powerful rivalry of Mme.
Adelina Patti, as that distinguished singer will sail for this country in
October. Something more than promises will be necessary this time, and a
repetition of last year's preliminary circular will hardly be considered satis-
factory. If heannounces "L'Africaine," "LesHuguenots," "LeProphete,"
"Lohengrin," " William Tell," and "Fidelio," we don't want to be put off
with continued repetitions of "Linda" and "Sonnambula." The latest
English papers announce that at the conclusion of the London season the
company will sing in Manchester, Liverpool, Dublin, and Cork, and will sail
for New York from Queenstown on the steamer City of Berlin, Sept. 27.
In his farewell speech, at the conclusion of the last season, it will be
remembered that Mr. Mapleson made a non-committal statement as to his
intentions for the future. He said he should return in the Pall with "the
best available talent." If he carries out this promise he may rely on gener-
ous encouragement, but he must not count on our inability to know what the
" best available talent" is, not flatter himself that broken-down singers and
second-rate performers will prove attractive.—New York Times, June 3rd.
RECEPTION BY MME. GERSTER.
Moscow he aroused a lively enthusiasm. While in Russia he composed a
concerto, which was superior to his other productions and the authorship of
which was for a long time disputed. Between the years 1840 and 1843 he
revisited Brussels and Paris, passed through Holland and Germany, and
traveled in Poland. He then sailed for America arriving here in 1843 and
achieving a success, which he subsequently supplemented by reaping fresh
laurels in Russia. In 1858 he and Mile. Carlotta Patti gave a series of con-
certs in Paris and in the Provinces.
His second visit to this country was made in 1855, but it was not until
1870 that his greatest success was made here. In that year he came to New
York as a member of the concert troupe of which Christine Nilsson was the
chief attraction. With him were associated, besides Mme. Nilsson, Mr.
James M. Wehli, the eminent pianist; Signori Brignoli and Verger, and
Miss Annie Louise Cary. This company gave their first concert at Steinway
Hall, on the evening of Sept. 19, 1870. Mr. Vieuxtemps played twice, both
times selections from his own compositions. He was warmly received by
the audience.
In 1845 Mr. Vieuxtemps was married to Josephine Eder, of Vienna, who
was also a musical prodigy in her youth. She began playing the piano
when very young, and gave several concerts at Prague, Berlin, and other
cities. She then studied for the operatic stage, and sang, in 1835, at Vienna,
in " Les Noces," in " Norma." She subsequently appeared in several char-
acters in Manheim, Cassel, and other places. When she was married to Mr.
Vieuxtemps, she left the stage and accompanied her husband in his travels.
She died in June, 1868.
R. GARDINI and his wife, Mme. Etelka Gerster-Gardini, who sailed for
THE LONDON PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY.
Europe on the steamer Germanic at 10 o'clock on the morning of
HE
fifth
Philharmonic
Concert of the current (69th) season attracted a
June 4, gave a reception to a select company of their friends the evening
very large audience. The rapidly increasing popularity attained by
before. It was held in the private parlors at the Everett House, which the Society
the remodeling and enlargement of its orchestra, and the
•were handsomely decorated with flowers for the occasion, and lasted from 8 institution of since
a double rehearsal preparatory to each concert, found specially
o'clock until 10:30, the parlors being crowded throughout that time. Some gratifying illustration
in the fact that before the doors were opened all the
70 invitations were sent out, and many prominent persons not specially
seats were taken, and it became necessary to admit the public to the
invited called to tender their congratulations to the prima donna and to wish cheaper
of the orchestra. The programme contained an interesting novelty, a
her ban voyage. Many telegrams sending good wishes were received from back
" Sinfonietta " by Mr. Frederic Cowen, composed by him at the invitation
persons unable to attend. The floral gifts from friends of Mme. Gerster of
the Philharmonic Society. The work is short—occupying only fifteen
•were very handsome, the most prominent being a large and beautiful star minutes
in performance—but contains bright, melodious, and poetical
sent by Mrs. Napoleon J. Haines, Jr. Another very pretty memento of themes, happily
out and embellished with picturesque instrumen-
friendship was a large plaque, imbedded in rich maroon velvet and orna- tation. In his wrought
"Scandinavian Symphony" and his "Language of the
mented with a portrait in oil of Mme. Gerster's little daughter. It was sent Flowers," Mr. Cowen
has recently shown a marked and gratifying develop-
by a young lady friend of the prima donna. Mme. Gerster passed the even- ment of power in the employment
of orchestral resources. His instrumen-
ing in the pleasant duty of receiving the good wishes and in shaking hands tation in the new " Sinfonietta " elicited
the spontaneous and hearty admira-
and chatting with the many ladies and gentlemen who called. She has tion of skilled musicians, and the originality
of the work was none the less
learned to speak English since her first visit here, and talks it with charming remarkable and gratifying because undisfigured
by the erratic vagaries which
naivete. She was called upon to exchange greetings in German and French some modern composers appear to suppose will be
by connoisseurs
as well as in English, as many of her visitors were of the former nationalities. as tokens of genius. The " Sinfonietta " is not only accepted
but symmetrical,
There were some pretty toilets worn by the ladies, and Mme. Gerster her- and adheres to " form " as closely as the limits of its original
outline permitted. Mr.
self was attired in an elegant dress of cieam-colored satin, cut with a long Cowen conducted the performance of his new composition,
at its con-
flowing train and ornamented at the neck with rich lace and a large bouquet clusion was recalled to the platform and heartily applauded and
by the musicians
of fragrant Jacqueminot roses. A fine collation was served at 9:30 o'clock. and amateurs who filled the hall. The programme also included
Beethoven's
Among those present were August Belmont, Arthur Leary, T. B. Musgrave, 8th Symphony; Chopin's Second Pianoforte Concerto—solo pianist,
Mile.
Mr. and Mme. Beaumont, F. Schirmer, Mrs. and Miss Remsen, Mr. and Vera Timanoff, who was warmly and deservedly applauded; Mendelssohn's
Mrs. Seguin, Mme. Bodestein, Mr. Moderati, Isaac Henderson, Jr., Mr. and Violin Concerto—the solo violin part capitally played by M. Ovide Musin,
Mrs. N. J. Haines, Jr., Miss Dehon, Dr. F. Zinser, Dr. Jacobi, and Mr. who was received with great favour; the overtures to "Oberon " and "Die
Villa.
Zauberflote;" and vocal selections, sung by those accomplished artists Mine.
Sembrich and Mme. Trebelli, who were both greeted with enthusiastic
AMERICAN MUSIC IN GERMANY.
plaudits in acknowledgment of their exquisite vocalisation. Mr. W. G.
WO years ago J. S. Potter, who was then the American Consul in Stutt- Cusins conducted in admirable style, and the concert was in all respects suc-
gart, presented Prince Carl of Prussia with a selection of American cessful.—Illustrated Sporting Dramatic News, London.
music, including the national airs, some of the negro melodies, and several
war pieces which became famous during the Rebellion. These Carl arranged
MUSICAL MYTHOLOaY.
to suit himself, and had published for military and concert music. They
have since become very popular, and are to be found in most of the music N all ages and among all races, the human ear seems to have been most
stores throughout Germany. At the grand military manoeuvres and review
deeply impressed by the voice of the waves, whether in the ripple of the
of a portion of the German army before the Emperor, the Crown Prince, the brook or the roar of the ocean, and the wind has at once been thought of in
King of Wurtemberg, etc., which took place about a year ago near Stuttgart, music in connection with the sound. The large number of musical water-
the troops marched past the Emperor and his suite to the music of these Amer- gods and nymphs, sirens, loreleys, nixies, and mermaids, attest this fact be-
ican airs, played by Carl's band: " Marching Through Georgia," "Tramp, yond a doubt. The ancient poets might not, like Rubinstein, have burst
tramp, the Boys," " Dixie," "Rally Round the Flag, Boys," " Bonnie Blue forth with an Ocean Symphony, but they rhapsodized in metaphor upon the
Flag," "Who's that Knocking? " " Swanee River," " When Johnnie Comes music and musical deities of the deep. We can judge how far these legends
Marching Home," and other familiar melodies arranged as a pot-pourri. They have extended into modern times, when we learn that there is a family
were played as they never were played before except by this famous band. named Neckar still living in Sweden, who are supposed to have studied
Every one was delighted; it was something new, inspiring and enlivening. music of the water-necks, or nixies, and to have become especially gifted
Officers and men were almost wild as with a new inspiration. Even the thereby. Odin, the northern god, was supposed to have been one of the
Emperor and his suite could with difficulty keep quiet in their saddles. great musicians of the sea; and many northern sagas exist, relating hia
Finally the Emperor sent an officer to inquire of Carl what music he was abilities.
flaying. Returning from hia errand, the officer doffed his brass helmet hat
A curious fact in connection with the mythologic music of the sea is that
and, bowing low, said: "He says it is American music, your Majesty."
the instrument used was almost invariably the harp. Whether the legend
"Return and tell him to repeat it," said the Emperor.
belongs to Greece, to Germany, to Sweden, or to India, the supernatural
musician always was supposed to use this instrument, or at least one of its
class. The connection between the plash of water and the sound of music
OBITUARY.
is, of course, easily established; but to ascertain the reason of the appear-
HENEI VIEUXTEMPS.
ance of the harp only, in all the ancient musical water-legends, is a more
DISPATCH from Paris announces the death of Henri Vieuxtemps, the difficult enigma, and one which we will not attempt to solve.
celebrated Belgian violinist and composer. He was born at Verviers
There is certainly a large field open to the investigator who will
on the 20th of February, 1820, and was the son of an old soldier and tuner of attempt
to solve the ethnological facts contained in musical mythology.
musical instruments. At a very early age he displayed remarkable musical
—L. C. E., in Boston Musical Herald.
talents and his precocity in this direction attracted the attention of an ama-
teur who undertook to educate him, and placed him under the care of M.
ARBUCKLE AT CONEY ISLAND.
Leclou, Professor of Music. At the age of 8 years Vieuxtemps played in pub-
lic in several Belgian towns, and De Beriot, who was amazed at the boy's A RBUCKLE and his famous band, will commence their superb con-
talent, gave him lessons for several months. Later on, he became a pupil XA. certs on the Peoples' New Pier.jConey Island, about the 25th of June.
also of Reicha. The greater part of his life was spent in a series of travels Mr. A. has gathered round him a group of the finest instrumentalists in the
over Europe, studying and giving exhibitions of his marvelous skill. In country, including a band of soloists on all the principal instruments, but the
1830 he visited Paris, where he played and was received with thunders of specialty of the band will be " Ensemble Playing." The visitors to the New
applause. He was the musical lion of the day, and his society was much Pier may expect a rare treat, as Mr. A. is preparing a series of magnificent
sought after by the best classes. The following year he went to Vienna, programmes, and besides conducting the band, he will perform one of his
•where the same cordial reception was given him. When he visited London, favorite solos at each concert.
however, the people were not able to appreciate his talent and he did not
meet with an immediate success; but new achievements in Paris, Vienna,
Miss Emma Thursby sang May 28 in the Opera House, Madrid, before
and Brussels awakened even the English public to a sense of his artistic the King and Queen, the infantas and a select court audience. She was
ability. During his continued traveling he found time to study composi- warmly applauded and encored. Miss Thursby and Mr. Strakosch had an
tion, and published his first works. When he visited St. Petersburg and audience with the King and Queen at the palace the same day.
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