Music Trade Review

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134
THE
MUSICAL CRITIC AND TRADE REVIEW.
December 20th, 1881.
4, for the piano, played by Mme. Madeline Schiller.
Two Norwegian melodies for string orchestra, by
Edward Grieg, were next in order, and the final
number was Beethoven's Eighth Symphony.
ITALIAN OPERA.
The Schubert Quintette offers abundant re-
"OOITO'S " Mefistofele " was given at the sources for rich and pi'ofuse instrumental effects,
J 3 Academy on Friday, December 9, to a small which Dr. Damrosch has succeeded in displaying.
and unappreciative audience. It is to be regretted In the special capacity of an interpreter of musi-
that a work like this does not receive greater atten- cal ideas, and as a scholar whose studies in the dis-
tion from the New York musical public, and this position and effectiveness of orchestral effects have
want of encouragement entitles the management to been eminently successful, Dr. Damrosch has
keep the old repertoire constantly before us. One or few equals, if any superiors, in this country. The
two crowded houses, that are attracted more by orchestral arrangement of the Quintette ia a meri-
inquisitiveness than any other motive, afford no torious musical work which will have more than a
encouragement to a manager. There must be a temporary value. It is comprehensive, and con-
probability of a constant desire to hear a, work, tains broad and positive symphonic moments,
otherwise the management is compelled to abandon while at the same time it remains constantly with-
its production and keep the "Traviatas" and in the scope of the composer's intentions. No
" Lucias " on the stage.
illegitimate nor sensational effect* are sought for,
Boito's work has been thoroughly analyzed, and but, on the contrary, a conscientious desire is
its remarkable originality has received deserved apparent to remain within the proper sphere of
encomiums. His literary and musical abilities the original idea.
are conceded to be of a very high order, and in
The doctor, in a foot note, states that: "Per-
combining them in this opera he has reached far haps if Schubert had an orchestra at his disposal
above many composers whose works are still found he would not have restricted himself so often to a
in the repertoires of to-day.
few instruments." We are compelled to take is-
With the exception of a few cities, nearly every sue with Dr. Damrosch on this point. Schubert
musical community which has had an opportunity died when thirty-one years of age, and within the
of listening to Boito's opera, has demanded a few years of his activity he composed so much
repetition of the work. Its popularity is steadily that he is now considered one of the most prolific
GENTLE ANNE.
increasing, and here in New York there should be composers that ever lived. Mine or ten symphonies
H P HE following advertisement appeared in a daily no reason why the opera should not be in the have already been discovered written by him, and
regular repertoire. There is a generation of fossils the musical world would not be surprised if a few
_L paper recently :
still in existence that gets into ecstacies when the more would come to light. He could not have
Will it be permitted by a German young lady who, sextette from "Lucia" or the "Miserere" is per- written more for an orchestra if he had had an or-
through a long time of sickness, has become poor, to formed, and having no ability to grasp modern and chestra living under his own roof. He wrote operas
ask if there perhaps would be some kind gentleman more developed musical ideas, this generation we besides the symphonies, and consequently did as
who would lend her a little sum of money to finish her refer
to generally abuses the creations of the con- much, or nearly as much, in the direction of
studies in singing? Please address ANNE, box 151
temporaneous genius.
orchestral composition as any one.
Herald oilice.
Nearly
every
one
of
the
young
composers
has
It must also be remembered that Schubert was
As THE MUSICAL CEITIC AND TBADE RKVIEW is
always willing to aid any worthy member of the had to suffer from this want of musical culture, and a genius of the highest order, and did not require
profession in securing recognition, a note was it appears as if the admirers of the old repertoires an orchestra at his disposal to write a symphony,
written to the advertiser asking for information are really triumphant, especially here. The press any more than Beethoven or Berlioz required one.
about her and offering to state her case in our col- is constantly urging Mapleson to present new With Schubert, the mere technical work of writing
yet it appears that his experience leads him a symphony, or the practical delivery of the same
umns if she were the person she represented her- operas,
to act with discretion, when he knows that the by an orchestra, was of less than secondary conse-
self to be.
will support the old Italian operas in quence. The conception and execution of the
As no reply has been received to our note, we public
preference to modern works.
work were not interfered with by any expectation
are very much afraid that gentle Anne is a hum-
The performance was in the main very acceptable. or desire to hear it performed.
bug.
Signor Campanini gave an excellent rendition of
The explanation by Dr. Damrosch contains the
Faust, singing the part with more than his usual spirit of apology that is not necessary, as the work
SEEKING A DIVORCE.
vigor. His upper notes were brilliant and clear, he has done in this arrangement is worthy of
R. JAMES M. OSGOOD has applied for a more so than on former occasions this season. cordial praise. If Liszt and Joachim made or-
divorce from his wife, Mrs. E. Aline Osgood, His histrionic abilities find a rich opportunity for chestral arrangements of Schubert compositions,
the well known singer, on the ground of desertion. display in this work, and he is quick to grasp it.
Dr. Damrosch is. fully entitled to attempt the
The suit has been brought in the Middlesex Su-
Mile. Ferni as Marglierita was in a more con- same thing, especially when his abilities de-
preme Court, Cambridge, Mass. Mrs. Osgood left genial atmosphere than when she appeared in monstrate themselves to such a degree as in this
her husband in Boston about five years ago, and Gounod's " Faust." Her conception of the role is in arrangement.
went to London, where she began a career as a full accordance with Boito's intention, as described
The performance lacked precision and exactness
concert singer. She soon became almost as great by him. The only exception to.be taken to her in delivery. The Quintette is characterized by
a favorite at the London concerts as Madame execution is the tremolo, which she appears to exceedingly delicate shading, and moments of the
Patey or Lemens-Sterrington. Why she separated cultivate with especial fondness. This practice very highest finish will be remembered by those
from her husband was never clearly known, al- detracts greatly from her value as a singer, and we who have heard it played well. Dr. Damrosch
though it was understood that he had always op- fail to understand how she can persist in standing tried his utmost to produce the desired effect, and
posed her entrance upon a professional career. in her own light by continuing it.
continued his efforts in the Beethoven Symphony,
Letters have been shown in which Mrs. Osgood
Marta, by Mile. Lauri, was a disappointment, but only partially succeeded. In the latter work
staled that she would never return to her husband. which was to be expected. In a heroic opera, full of the "Allegretto Scherzando" and the "Allegro
dramatic music and where large and powerful Vivace " were rendered the best. More strings are
voices are required, Mile. Lauri is out of place. required, especially first and second violins. Ed-
A contralto is needed that fills these requirements. ward Grieg's "Two Norwegian Melodies" for string
ART JABBERING.
quartette, one of the most inspiring parts of orchestra received a charming and thoroughlyly ar-
HE Art Jabberer of November 26 contained a The
opera, was ruined by a failure to hear the con- tiatic interpretation under the doctor's direction.
notice of the death of Rudolph Bial, and the
Mme. Madeline Schiller played the Saint Saens
closed it by stating that "His funeral takes place tralto part.
Signor Novara's Mifistofele is made the central Piano Concerto, No. 4. On the programme it was
Friday at twelve o'clock," etc. November 26 came
on a Saturday, consequently about a week would figure of the performance, not so much by the stated that this work was " new, the first tirns."
intention of the composer (who rather seeks to
"The first time " is correct, but the work is not
have elapsed between the death and the funeral.
The fact is the funeral took place on Friday, maintain a divided interest in the quartette than "new " i n the sense intended. It was composed
Nov. 25th. That talented young Journalist (with a complete interest in one role) as by the artistic some years ago and published. We had hoped
of this bass singer, who is also an that Mme. Schiller would play the concerto with-
a capital J.), W-eak M-inded Tom, clipped the performance
of great distinction, as he demonstrates in out notes. She may have been justified in play-
article from a daily paper and neglected to make actor
ing the stupendous Tchaikowsky Concerto, at the
the alteration. He edits the Art Jabberer—with a his playing of this role.
Around his Mefistofele all the dramatic episodes first Philharmonic Concert, with the notes before
pair of scissors—but should, even in an easy occu-
pation like that, pay some attention to the subject. are gathered, and the scenes in which he appears her, but the Saint Saens No. 4 Concerto could
The number of Nov. 26th must have used up at are permeated with life, energy, and artistic have been memorized without much trouble by
idealism. Signor Novara is recognized as one of an artist really desirous of doing thorough work.
least one pair of scissors.
As a result of the disturbing presence of the
the most competent Mefistofeles on the stage.
The ensemble was effective, both chorus and notes and the gentleman who is obliged to turn
The large audience at the Assembly Rooms, re- orchestra endeavoring to do the very best, the the leaves, the best effects were marred. The deli-
cently, were well satisfied with the singing of fifty latter body apparently taking a great interest in cacy of many passages of the concerto, according
members of the Bristol Orpheus Glee Society; and the intricate and remarkable score that Boito has to Saint Saens' peculiar style, was not sufficiently
the pecuniary aid they were indirectly giving to written. The opera should be performed as often pronounced to make them the features they are
the funds of the Royal United Hospital. The aa is consistent with managerial solvency.
intended to be.
whole of the glees and part-songs arranged in the
No musical work can be performed with artistio
admirably chosen programme were rendered unac-
SECOND SYMPHONY SOCIETY CONCERT.
finish unless it is memorized; the presence of
companied. Mr. George Riseley officiated as con-
FTER the auspicious opening of this season's notes is necessarily a disturbing influence. This
ductor.—London Exchange.
. concerts, it was to be expected that the sec- is the theory of Hans von Bulow, and daily experi-
The first representation of the " Pre aux Clercs" ond public rehearsal and the second concert of the ence seems to prove its correctness.
was given in 1832; the 1000thperformance in 1871. Symphony Society would be attended by large
Thus, during these thirty-five years, the annual and very enthusiastic audiences. The public re- SECOND STANDARD QUARTETTE CLUB CONCERT.
average performances has been about thirty-five. hearsal took place at Steinway Hall Dec. 1, and
E had hoped that the second concert of this
1871 to 1881 the "Pre aux Clercs" was played the concert Dec. 3. Schubert's Quintette, op. 163,
Quartette Club, which took place Decem-
three hundred times, making an annual average of orchestrated by Dr. Damrosch, opened the per- ber 13, would be an improvement on the first oon-
thirty representations. —Paris.
formance^ followed by Saint Saens' concerto, No. cert of the season. In this we were, however,
A PLUCKY YOUNG WOMAN.
ISS MARION FOSTER, a young woman
who has been crippled twenty years and is
now under the gratuitous treatment of Dr. Lewis
A. Say re, has a fine voice which has been praised
by artists of reputation. She has neither the
financial nor the physical resources to go on the
concert stage, but she has a remarkable talent for
painting in oil and water colors. She works on
satin, canvas, china and wood. Miss Foster makes
a specialty of crayon portraits and refers by per-
mission to Governor Foster, Ex-Governor Bishop,
of Ohio, and Miss Fanny Davenport. She has
painted for the actress her handsomest dresses in
" Camille."
Miss Foster works industriously every day at
her home, No. 51 East Twenty-ninth street, seated
in a little carriage which she wheels around the
room.
She has received a number of orders
recently from well known society people, and if
they continue to favor her she will be able to keep
the wolf from the door and live in the comfortable
manner that her unfortunate condition demands.
Through all her years of suffering she has plucki-
ly cultivated her natural bent for painting.
Miss Foster has a prepossessing face and ia a
delightful conversationalist.
PERFORMANCES
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