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December 20th, 1881.
THE MUSICAL CRITIC AND TRADE REVIEW.
131
main abroad a year at least, in order to fully un- epartment of our conservatory we have men as
derstand the workings of the conservatories there. good as you can find in Europe, and, in fact, all of CHAT WITH AN OLD-TIMER.
While I was in Berlin, everything in regard to the them have studied music there for years. As to
conservatory there was explained to me thoroughly, merican conservatories being simply business VETERAN JOHN DARCIE BELIEVES HIMSELP
and I was thereby enabled to understand the sys- peculations, I have been here about fifteen years
OP SEVERAL REMINISCENCES.
md have spent $15,000, and have never made a
tem more readily."
"Do you think that a renowned musician should dollar out of it. Of course, I expect to make THE ARCHITECT OF SONTAO'S FOBTTJKES—WHT
money in the future out of the investment. Errani
be at the head of a conservatory of music ?"
DARCIE WOULDN'T 00 TO MEXICO—ORIGIN
"Whether or not there is a big name at the should inform himself as to the facts in the case be-
OF THE KATYDID POLKA.
head of such an institution,has nothing to do with fore making such statements. Doppler, who is here,
its success. When Verdi applied at the Milan was a professor in Stuttgart, and Mack, who has
IDE publicity having been given to the
Conservatory as a student, those learned musicians been in nearly every European school, says that
managerial experiences of the veteran, La-
and gentlemen of great reputation in Milan told there is no better musical instruction given abroad
him that he had no talent and that he had better than is given here.' Conservatories may be con- fayette Harrison, in the last number of THB
learn some trade. Was that institution, for refus- ducted on a more extensve scale abroad, and pupils MUSICAL CRITIC AND TRADE REVIEW, poetic justice
ing to receive a man of Verdi's genius, therefore a there pay little for tuition, as the government demands that a show be given to that Napoleon
better musical school than . institutions in New supports the conservatories ; but there is no mong concert managers, Old-Timer John Darcie.
York conducted by men of common sense who necessity for a student to go abroad to study A fitting soubriquet is Napoleon for Darcie, as his
understand the needs of the country and who are music. He may travel the world over and he facial resemblance to that famous general is so
not prejudiced on the score of nationality or any- will get no better musical instruction than in wonderful, that Frenchmen meeting him on the
thing else? For the art of music is divine, and all American conservatories. I don't think Errani has street instinctively stop and wonder whether
nations have contributed their share to its develop- done justice to Mr. Alexander, who is a gentleman his prototype has not come to life again. His
moustache is waxed to such a degree that its
ment, although man—individual man—first lifted and a very good musician."
up society and made it better, and has often been Mr. Griswold also mentioned, among his pro- points would be formidable weapons in a rough
and tumble encounter. It is stated on good
the cause of the formation of society."
fessors who had studied music many years in authority, that one evening Darcie leaned against
"What do you think of the statement, that Europe, Reinbeck, Steinhaus, Steinberg, Greco, a newly painted lamp-post in Union Square, watch-
American conservatories of music are only business W. L. Mills, D'Auria, Aschenbrenner, Paverino, ing for a new comet, and during his astronomical
Mme. Chatterton-Bohrer, Penfield, and Perrot, observations the steel-like ends of his moustache
speculations ? "
"Well, if I had known how difficult it is to the last named having studied twenty years abroad. scratched off so much paint that a decorative artist
William G. Vogt, Director of the Conservatory of had to be summoned the next day to do the job
make a living out of a conservatory of music,
probably I wouldn't have been in one to-day. A Music in Fifteenth street, said that American con- over again. The owner of the building opposite
man of common sense, however, who understands servatories of music, as a class, compared favorably the lamp-post also waxed wrath, and threatened to
American ideas, will know that everything which with European, and that there was no necessity for have Darcie's capillary attractions shaved off and
is done in this country must be done on square, a young student to go abroad to study music. He pnt in alcohol, as a warning to future vandals.
honorable, business principles, and not according was not troubled by attacks on American colleges Darcie now goes round the block.
of music, from any quarter, as he was determined
to the ideas of broken-down opera singers."
When a reporter of THE MUSICAL CRITIC AND
" How do American conservatories of music com- to build up a reputation, and his pupils gave him TRADE
REVIEW saw the Old-Timer the other day,
credit for whatever merit he might possess in teach-
pare with those abroad, in your judgment ? "
was in a reminiscent mood. He was so
"If we should do business on the plan of the ing music. In European conservatories, although he
that a child could play with him.
so-called European conservatories, with their titled there might be a large corps of professors in an in- amiable
"If you want anything valuable from John
directors, professors, royal doctors, royal rectors, stitution, a student would have to take his chances Darcie,"
he said to the reporter, with an imperial
and royal con-rectors, who all aim only at the in falling under the instruction of a conscien- wave of his
"just take out your utensils and
brilliancy and nicety with which they can wear tious professor. Most of the teachers there were buckle down hand,
to work."
a titled man's livery, we would do very little undoubtedly good, but others were flighty and
"Tell me how you account for your resemblance
business indeed, and would have very few pupils. indifferent to the progress of their charges. As to
This is because the pupils who come to us want to great names being at the head of European con- to Napoleon ? " suggested the reporter.
" Give me something easier for a starter; but I
learn something, and get something for their servatories, some of the most famous started out
money. I do not care whether the man who teaches under the direction of men who had their reputa- will say that I and Napoleon were chums together.
Many a time on the tented battle-field we planned
at a musical conservatory, or the institution itself, tions to make.
out a campaign, Napoleon always deferring to my
stands in high favor with King James, or John, or
superior judgment in military matters and
"
Billy, or whether the professors are decorated with
"Just so; but haven't you done something in
THE MUSICAL FUND SOCIETY.
a few silver or gold pennies, dangling round their
necks, which may be very nice for Sunday-school
N February 29, 1820, this benefit society was the musical line?"
"Well, I should blush to
; but as I was say-
children. Pupils want the ability of a man. They
started and incorporated under the laws of
want his knowledge. That's what they pay for, and Pennsylvania. It is one of the oldest, if not the ing, in 1844 I was the musical and dramatic critic
not his titles. No man who has any common oldest, of the many musical organizations of the of the London Era, before the second opera house
sense in his head, who is not prejudiced, and who country, and in the bounties it has extended and had been built in London; and, sir, I wrote all the
isn't so conceited as to consider that he is the the charities it has dispensed, no other musical notices, and wrote them well. There was a split off
next year, when Lumley got Jenny Lind and ran
only great I am in the world—which is unfortu- organization can surpass it.
out the rest of the boys, who were raking in the
nately the case with a great many of our so-called
The hall was built many years ago, on Locust ducats
in the concert biz. You will remember
fashionable singing teachers, whose place, un street, near Eighth, which was at the time of its
doubtedly, would be far better in some European completion a very fashionable locality. The hall very well that I sailed for New York on December
kingdom, where they would occasionally be ad proper within the building can seat twelve hundred 31,1851, in advance of Sontag; and, sir, I managed
mitted to the ante-chamber of the royal lord and persons, and is noted for its remarkable acoustic that prima donna throughout this great and
master—will ever condemn anything unless he qualities. The architect, Mr. Strickland, was cele- glorious country."
thoroughly knows what he is talking about. ] brated during his life as one of the competent
" Why didn't I take in Mexico? Because, sir, I
consider, therefore, that all utterances of condem architects in the country. The acoustics of the didn't like the country, and I'm most outrageously
nation of institutions of which people know noth hall were spoken of to such an extent by the blanked if I'll go to a country that doesn't suit my
ing, are a proof of ignorance, prejudice and con vocalists who sang there, that architects from all taste. Sontag said to me, ' For God's sake, come
ceit."
parts of the Union and Canada examined the with me to Mexico!' I gently but firmly answered
'No,'and when I left her she had made under
"All these great Signors," said Mr. Eberhardt building to ascertain the secret. In one of the my
management $198,000, cash in hand ! One point
in conclusion, "know wonderfully well the value Canadian cities an exact duplicate of the hall was I scored
in managing her was this: She had eight
of an American dollar, and it appears, that owin_ erected, but the acoustic qualities were not repro- elegant costumes
when she came to America. At
to the fact that an American dollar is a nice thing duced.
my personal request she would wear a different
Jenny Lind sang in the hall October 17 and 18, dress
to have, the gentleman who condemns these Ameri
every night in a week's engagement. Before
can institutions so much probably thought that 1850, and the sum realized was $19,000. Sontag an entertainment
began the audience would be
by an attack on them he could get some free ad and Adelina Patti, as well as many other celebrities, speculating as to what
dress she would wear that
vertising. At the Grand Conservatory of Music we were also heard there. The profits realized from night. Sir, there was only
person in the vast
have, among other professors, Constantin Stern rents and dues of members have been applied to audience that knew, besides one Sontag
herself, and
berg, who was formerly head teacher at Kullack's distressed members, or their widows and children, that person you see before you, sir—John
Darcie,
Academy, in Berlin; M. Hackh, who was formerly after the decease of a member. There are now on Esq."
professor at the Stuttgart Conservatory of Music the list of beneficiaries about fifteen members and
" Did you know Julien ? "
Signor La Villa, who is an excellent master, as M families.
" Did I know Julien! Well, I should cacchinate
Errani stated on former occasions; and many None of these charities have ever been published
others equally eminent in their art."
or have been known outside of the committee, and gently. Why, sir, I managed him ! And then he
the delicacy with which the distribution of benfits brought from over the big fish pond the finest
VIEWS OF MR. GKISWOLD.
orchestra in the world, and we opened the ball at
is made is deserving of the highest admiration.
Mr. S. N. Griswold, Director of the New York
Castle Garden. I originated all those famous con-
The
fashionable
audiences
of
Philadelphia
now
Conservatory, said that the attack on American patronize the new halls and Academy, but the certs there,and especially (be sure and get this down)
conservatories by Signor Errani was uncalled for memories that cluster around the MusicFund Hall the great Champagne Festival, when I distributed
and he was surprised that he, Errani, should make it the most interesting musical institution of gratuitously, in one night, one hundred baskets of
make such statements as were published in THE the Quaker city.
champagne. . Castle Garden was then cut off from
MUSICAL CRITIC AND TRADE REVIEW. Errani had
New York. I told Julien one evening to come
been made to say that the New York Conservator
out under the trees and hear the katydid. ' Is eet
of Music was a musical fraud, compared with sim- A grand concert was to have been given for the a bird?' said he. ' No; it's a bug,' said I. ' How
ilar institutions abroad, whereas he referred to the benefit of the family of the late Rudolph Bial in does eet make ze noise?' said he. ' By scratching its
conservatory with which he had been recently Steinway Hall on Sunday evening, December 18, at head,' said I. And so I caught one, and the next
identified.
which Mr. Theodore Thomas and about eighty o day told Julien to write a katydid polka. He did
"This conservatory," continued Mr. Gri wold his musicians, Mme. Caroline Zeiss, and other not know how to imitate the katydid's note, and I
"is a first-class place in every sense of the word^ artists were to appear. A fine programme was told him the clarionet and oboe would help him
and, I believe, the New York College of Music is a promised and a number of the German bankers out. ' No, saire,' said Julien. ' Ze note is made by
good conservatory, and that Mr. Alexander is a and merchants of the city, who knew Mr. Bial, ze friction, and ze imitation must be made b j ae
friction, too.'
gentleman of excellent musical culture. In every have been assisting in the sale of tickets.
W
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