Music Trade Review

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THE MUSICAL CRITIC AND TRADE REVIEW.
70
country, (and we think he is expected), we would
like to get his private opinion of these two " Oli-
vette " performances.
STAFF CORRESPONDENCE
CHICAGO.
ACADEMY OF MUSIC.
LOHENGRIN.
CHICAGO, Oct.
13th.
October 20th, 1881.
to see what the Americans can do without their aid.
At the time of their Sangerfest in this city, our
American societies joined with them, and gave a
most hearty aid. As long as we are enjoying the
freedom of the same republican government, and
the blessings of a fruitful land, national differences
of birth should not be considered. It is not a
question of nativity in music, but one of musician-
ship. If a man is a good singer, or player, con-
ductor, or composer, it matters not to the people
which is the land of his birth. It is one world,
and music should know no boundaries but those
made by art. If Herr Schmidt, or Signor Verdi, or
plain Mr. White, are equal in musicianship, they
are each entitled to a like consideration. It is
what a man is, in this country, that entitles him
to consideration. The Germans should unite with
their fellow singers in all important musical
undertakings, and not allow national prejudices to
co-operation.
Mr. Emil Liebling has underlined six piano-
forte recitals for this season. I have seen the pro-
grammes and they are progressive and representa-
tive of the different schools of music.
Mr. Boscowitz, of this city, gave five recitals
lately in Cincinnati, and met with a marked suc-
cess. He used a Steinway Grand. As our sea-
son advances we may expect a visit from Joseffy,
for I believe he is to be heard here this Winter.
A LTHOUGH our musical season is not yet
HE season of Italian Opera in New York began x \ . opened, some few concerts have taken place,
on Monday night, Oct. 17th, with Wagner's which deserve a passing mention.
" Lohengrin," given with Campanini as the KnigM, Mr. S. G. Pratt, with very commendable zeal,
Minnie Hauk as Elsa, Mile. Kalas as Ortrnd, Sig. arranged a benefit concert in behalf of the Michi-
Galassi as Telramondo, Sig. Monti as the Herald, gan Sufferers, at which a large number of local
and Sig. Novarra as Enrico. The first opera of the musicians performed. In addition to an orchestra
season thus presents to us the chief forces of the led by Mr. Balatka and Mr. Pratt, and a number
Mapleson troupe, and already known to our opera- of vocalists, Mr. John McCullough and Mr.
Thomas W. Keene read selections. A part of Mr.
goers, with the exception of Mile. Kalas.
Campanini's voice was surprisingly fresh, es- Pratt's symphony was performed, and also his or-
pecially in the last act where the whole burden of chestra march entitled, "Homage to Chicago."
the performance rested upon him. He is, so to The programme was arranged to catch the popu-
say, identified with this role and considers himself lar taste, and thereby bring in money in aid of
a representative Lohengrin. There is a division of the object. When a concert is undertaken for
opinion in regard to his interpretation of the heroic charity, and everyone gives his services, criticism
character inasmuch as he fails to strengthen it with is out of place, for the object is the paramount
the teutonic force and character conceded as ap- idea.
propriate to Wagner's Knight. Outside of the love
The Press Club of this city, gave its yearly en-
scenes, a positive boldness is essential to this role tertainment at Central Music Hall, on Tuesday
and although we find a tendency towards it in the evening last. The object of this entertainment
representation which Campanini gives, his voice was to add to the treasury of the club, and as the
does not possess the timbre necessary to fill the services of the artists, taking part, were compli-
C. H. BBITTAN.
vocal requirements. Nevertheless the artistic con- mentary to the club, the result must have been
ception of the role by Campanini is of a high order very satisfactory. The entertainment opened with
and cannot fail to please the fastidious connois- an organ selection, played by Mr. H. Clarence Eddy.
BALTIMORE.
seur.
Mr. Liebling, Mr. Rosenbecker, and Sig. Liberati
BALTIMOBE, Oet. 16th, 1881.
Minnie Hauk's reentre as Elsa enabled her to added numbers to the instrumental portion of the
ATTENDED the last meeting of the Piano
show what can be accomplished by constant ap- performance.
Teachers' Union in this city. The advertise-
plication, backed by good natural gifts. Miss
Miss Marie Litta, the prima donna of the
Hauck is one of that class of operatic artists evening, afforded pleasure to her audience, by her ment promised a lecture on the art of teaching
designated by the word " reliable." She can be singing of the "Staccato Polka," of Mulder, and the piano—and illustrative performances on the
depended upon in any emergency. Her memory the aria with flute obligato, from "Lucia." In piano. There was plenty of the lecture ; but it
is sound, and her musical instincts are naturally brilliant vocalization Miss Litta is at her best, and seemed to be carrying coal to Newcastle, as all the
true, which secures a pure intonation; in this always wins her way with an audience, that likes members are teachers of the piano and might be
respect she is nearly infallible. Her studies have that style of singing. In the more sustained song, supposed to have known all about it, before they
been severe and conscientious and her experience as in the " German Leider," it is doubtful if her ever went there.
is extensive.
powers would win much appreciation.
The promised illustrations however were a blank,
Miss McLain, a contralto; and Miss Heckel, of and this void very forcibly suggested the idea, that
Notwithstanding many years of activity on the op-
eratic stage, her voice retains its smooth, even and Cincinnati, also contributed vocal numbers. Mr. a lecture on the art of learning the piano would
somewhat silvery quality. She has never reached Knorr sung a very charming song by Mr. Leibling, have been much more appropriate and needful.
the grandeur of vocal abilities represented by the re- entitled " Dost Thou Remember." This song is I and my friend are plain, old-fashioned people,
nowned singers of the past and present, simply yet in the manuscript, but it has a flowing melody, full of the prejudices of a less enlightened age,
because her voice does not possess the depth and and a graceful accompaniment, and will win for when a riding-master (beg pardon : professor of
breadth necessary for a prima donna of the first itself popularity among the better class of ballads, equitation) was expected to know how to ride;
order. What nature has endowed her with she when it is published. Mr. Broderick, and Mr. when a dancing-master (terpsichorean preceptor)
has improved by culture, and thus is enabled to McWade contributed songs of the baritone order, was expected to know how to dance, or, when a
assume roles like Elsa with perfect certainty that and added to the variety of the programme. Tow- fencing-master would have blushed to decline a
the work will be satisfactorily done. She often ard the close of the entertainment, which was set-to with the broadsword or the filet.
attains the beautiful but never reaches the sublime retarded to a somewhat late hour, Mr. John Mc-
We know that the celebrated masters of the
in her art. Roles in which the poetic is sometimes Cullough, Mr. Thomas W. Keene, and Mr. Charles piano such as Stammaty, Wieck, Lecouppey. Le-
mingled with the real, are better adapted to her R. Thome, each gave a recitation. As these gen- bert, Czerny, and even Moscheles did not, or do
style. Carmen is one of these, and Miss Hauk has tlemen were fulfilling theatrical engagements in not keep in practice for lack of time, but every
this city, they could not appear until their own one of them had made his record as a pianist and
been very successful in it.
Of Sig. Galassi, we have only to say that he con- performances were finished. The audience seemed was able during vacation to get his play up again
for a concert or two. I hope that not only every
tinues to do his duty as he has done in former amply repaid for waiting however.
seasons and merits the endorsement we are grati- Mr. Thome gave " Sheridan's Ride," Mr. one of the officers will let us judge of his skill
fied to give him.
McCullough, "The Vagabond," and M.r. Keene on .the piano, but that every member of the union
A first appearance was made by Mile. Kalas in the closed the entertainment with a stirring render- will do the same.
A gentlemen of Prof. Grauer's reputation will
trying role of Ortrnd. She acquitted herself ex- ing of " The Star Spangled Banner." The mem-
cellently well, producing a good impression. bers of the Press Club are to be congratulated upon no doubt eagerly adopt the suggestion and give us
Her voice is sympathetic, and has evidently been the success of their entertainment. "Popularity the "Chromatique Fantaisie" and "Fugue," by J.
well taken care of. The vibrato is not too pronoun- wins" seems to be their motto, for it demonstrates S. Bach, Prof. Udelle one of Liszt's "Rhapso-
dies," or one of Chopin's "Polonaises," Prof.
ced; although the abolition of this feature of vo- itself in their acts.
calization would be a boon from Heaven. Holes of
A course of ten entertainments is to be given in Kothe one of Beethoven's "Last Sonatas." We
a lighter calibre would be more suitable to Mile. Central Music Hall, under the management of the merely suggest this style and degree of difficulty,
Kalas.
Slayton Lyceum Bureau. They are a continuation and don't wish to assign the individual work;
The chorus was uncertain and lacked precision of the Star Lecture Course, which was successful- but we rigidly require a piano performance, not a
in the attack. The "supers" did not know their ly carried on in this city by the lat« Mr. George cornet solo, less than all a song.
All this talk about knowing how to impart
business and a few scenes were enacted not exactly B. Carpenter. The Slayton course will comprise
to be found in Wagner's stage directions. Wagner a larger number of concerts however. Among the without being able to play, we consider as absurd
is scrupulously strict in all the particulars of a re- combinations to appear are the Miss Clara Louise a subterfuge as the praise for liberality accorded to
presentation and would have lost his temper much Kellogg party, Miss Carey and company, and the a man who has not a cent in the world. W« sin-
Miss Marie Litta organization. Mr. Slayton has cerely hope and trust that every "Professor of
quicker than Sig. Arditi did on Monday night.
The orchestra, with a few minor exceptions, was been very successful with his companies through- the Piano" belonging to the union will prove him-
effective, but the brass instruments and the organ out the west, and this is the first season that he self or herself a pianist, because thus far we have
on the stage were terribly false, out of tune, and, has directed his attention particularly to Chicago. not heard one of them play a single piece at a
in the case of the latter, out of time, producing From the large number of season tickets sold, public concert, on the piano, either solo or con-
harrowing effects. Yet taking the ensemble of the there is no doubt as to the financial success of this certant. (What we call a piece to judge a pianist
opera we must accord it the benefit of friendly en- season's entertainments. This evening the first of by, will by this time be clear to our readers). A
couragement, coupled with the hope that hereafter the series takes place. Miss Jessie Conthoni, the pianist may at the same time be an organist or an
the works to be produced will be more carefully talented young reader, will make her first appear- orchestral leader, but we can not recognize a pro
ance since her return from her studies in Paris. tern pianist in every member of the stringed or
rehearsed.
The Academy was filled with a brilliant assem Also Mr. Joseph Heine, the violinist, Mrs. Cald- winded fraternity, or in every chance vocalist.
If the Piano Teachers' Union or any member
blage ; but judging from its behavior and the ac- well, a Canadian soprano, and the Chicago Chick-
tivity of its conversation, it was better adapted ering Male Quartette. What the artistic worth of thereof should take exception, we have no doubt,
for the parlor and ball room than for the opera. the entertainment is I shall be able to record in that the columns of this paper will be open to
them, and we also trust that the public will know
The audience was anything but musically cul- my next letter.
GUAI.
tivated or even desirous of becoming so.
In the organization of our festival chorus for where to place them.
next Spring, the management have met with a
serious hindrance. It was intended to have a
NASHVILLE, TENN.
SCHELL.—It is now rumored that Miss Hattie chorus
of a thousand voices, and there are enough
Schell is engaged by Mapleaon to sing in opera singers
NASHVILLE, Oct. 14th, 1881.
in
the
city
to
have
easily
filled
the
early this season.
ranks. But, very unfortunately, the Germans ^ X J E W Masonic Theatre."—The Acme Opera
The Schubert Quartette is engaged for Theodore have determined to withhold their voices and their
J_N Company, Manager C. D. Hess, gave
influence from the undertaking, being determined "Mascotte," Monday the 10th, and Tuesday, 11th,
Thomas' May Festival in 1882.
T
I