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VOL. V.
NEW YOEK, NOVEMBEE 20TH TO DECEMBER 5TH, 1881.
No. 8.
Mr. Colby is managing Mrs. E. Aline Osgood
THE SYMPHONY SOCIETY.
deficiency. Take the expenses of our last concert.
The orchestra of ninety pieces, cost, $1,600; Cam- who has just returned from Europe to accept en-
HE record of the Symphony Society of New panini, $500, and the hall, advertising, etc., made gagements in this country. Her programme in-
York is an interesting one. Organized three a bill of about $3,000. You see it would take two
engagements with the Handel and Haydn
years ago in the face of popular discouragement good houses to meet the expenses without much cludes
Boston, the Mozart Society of Chicago, the
and the machination of numerous cliques, it has chance of a surplus. Our soloists usually cost $200, of
Sicilian Society of Philadelphia, the Cincinnati
won its way to a very enviable position among the $300, or $400."
Festival
Association and the Brooklyn Philhar-
musical organizations of America. Morris Reno,
monic
Society.
Mrs. Osgood will not go on a
''
Dr.
Damrosch
has
done
a
great
deal
for
the
a wealthy importer, whose musical culture and Society."
concert tour, but will accept engagement in ora-
admiration for Dr. Damrosch made him active in
" Yes, indeed. He has not many equals any- torios and concerts.
starting the society on a firm basis, has been iden-
Before leaving London she was tendered a fare-
tified with it since its inception as manager and where. Even in Europe he is known as one of the well
reception at the Marlborough Rooms. Mot-
director, and has faithfully looked after its finan- most scholarly and successful conductors. In ad-
cial interests. Mr. Reno was also very prominent flition to his musical culture, Dr. Damrosch is also toes, ferns and flowers decorated the saloons and
over the windows were festooned the American
in organizing the Oratorio Society ten years ago. highly educated in other directions."
'' Are you interested in the Theodore Thomas and English colors. There was a large attend-
He was then confident that such a musical organi-
ance of ladies and gentlemen prominent in literary
zation would appeal successfully to lovers of Festival ?"
" By no means. We shall give a festival when and musical circles. There was a concert at
classical music in this city, although the New York
Choral Societies of an earlier date had gone to the time is ripe for it. What we preduce in the which Mrs. Osgood sang three ballads in a
pieces after a checkered career, lasting only a year way of novelty, others imitate. Last May, the charming manner, Arthur Sullivan presiding at
or two. This belief has received ample encourage- Symphony Society gave at the Seventh Regiment the piano. Joseph Hatton proposed her very good
ment. Mr. Reno conversed recently with a re- Building the first musical festival New York has health and a poem was read by Savile Clark in
porter of THE MUSICAL CIUTIO AND TRADE REVIEW ever enjoyed. We were assisted by the Oratorio which the fair singer was alluded to in very com-
Society, of course, and the 8,000 or 9,000 seats in plimentary terms.
about the work of the Symphony Society,
the big hall were filled daily. The box-office had
Mr. Colby has also under his paternal care
"This is the fourth season," he said, "and it to be closed three or four times and people turned Theodore Liebe, the noted violoncellist, on his
promises to be very successful. During the three away, and on some days it couldn't be opened, for first visit to America, and his sister, Mme. Teresa
seasons that have passed we have given six re- nothing remained to sell. A musical festival re-
well-known as a violiniste. They have
hearsals and six concerts, and have produced, quires time for preparation. To hurry it would be Liebe,
from London to play at the Worcester
among other things, eight Beethoven symphonies a grave mistake. The society may give a festival come
Festival and have to fulfill a large num-
and symphonies by Mozart, Schubert, Schumann, in 1884. The matter will be decided this season. I Musical
of engagements made for them by Mr. Colby
Brahms, Rubinstein, Goldmark, Saint-Saens and suppose you know that the musical resources of the ber
over the country. The Arbuckle & Colby
Haydn. This society was the first to produce in society include the Arion and Harlem Mendelssohn all
Concert Company is composed of the following
its entirety Berlioz's ' Symphonic Fantastique,' the Union in addition to the Oratorio Society when- members:
Lizzie E. Arbuckle, soprano;
latter part never having been produced in this ever their assistance is required, Dr. Damrosch Miss Annie Miss
E. Beere, contralto; M. Arbuckle,
country before. The society was also a pioneer in being the conductor of these organizations. I
bringing out the 'Damnation of Faust.' You re- would also say that the Doctor was the founder of cornet; E. A. Summers, tenor; Willet Seaman,
member what a sensation it made and how it had the Symphony and Oratorio Society. The former baritone; and George W. Colby, umsical director.
to be repeated seven times in one season. Then has always paid expenses and as the receipts have These dates have been arranged for the company:
oth«r societies took it up in other cities. Every increased annually, we have enlarged the orchestra Cooperstown, Nov. 17; Oneonta, Nov. 18; Hamil-
year the society has brought out a new work, or and instituted more frequent rehearsals. There ton, Nov. 22; Norwich, Nov. 23; Torrington, Nov.
one that was new to the New York public. The are ninety pieces in the orchestra this year, com- 28; Whitinsville, Nov. 29; South Bridge, Mass.,
' Damnation of Fauat' was played in England the pared with seventy-five last year, and sixty-five and Nov. 30; Dover, N. H., Dec. 1; Havesville, Mass.,
same week, I believe, that it was produced here. seventy for the first two years respectively. More Dec. 2; Fitchburg, Dec. 5; Worcester, Dec. 6;
We have always engaged the best soloists available, than ninety pieces would be overwhelming in Stein- South Boston, Dec. 7; Boston, Dec. 8; Quincy,
regardless of expense. At our very first concert, way Hall, and I think sixty pieces are more effective Dec. 9; New England, Dec. 12 to Dec. 23; Hud-
we had Wilhelmj, although, of course, he was en- there than one hundred in the Academy, owing to son, Mass., Dec. 28, and Beverly, Mass., Dec. 29.
tirely new at that time to the New York public. the better acoustic properties of the concert
Then we have had among others Campanini, Mme. room."
EMMA ABBOTT AND DEACON EVANS.
Valleria, Franz Rummel, Max Pinner, Anna
Among the works to be produced this season by T ITTLE EMMA ABBOTT has struck a new
Drasdil, Henschel, the London baritone, Whitney
and Dengremont. In producing the ' Ninth the Symphony Society may be mentioned: two I J advertisement out West. She will institute
Symphony,'three times, and the 'Damnation of Beethoven Symphonies, and Rubinstein's "New proceedings against the Grand Jury of Denver,
Faust,' we had the assistance of the Oratorio Symphony " (Op. 107), or " Ocean." The dates of Col., for the "scandalous use of her name," in
future rehearsals are: December 1st, January 5th, the indictments found against O. H. Rothacker
Society."
February 2d, March 2d and April 6th. The con-
" Do you think the Symphony Society has suc- certs take place December 3d, January 7th, Feb- and Eugene Fields, Editors, of the Denver Tri-
ceeded in educating the musical taste of its ruary 4th, March 4th and April 8th. Follow- bune. It seems that Deacon John Evans, of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, of Denver, married,
patrons ?"
ing are the officers of the society in addition to
"Undoubtedly it has had a marked effect. Dr. Leopold Damrosch, Conductor: President, and sixty years of age, took a fancy to the bed-
During its short career, I must say that it has done John D. Prince; Vice-President, Hilborne L. room scene in " Fra Diavolo," and in order to
remarkably well. At our last rehearsal, the house Roosevelt; Secretary, Charles F. Roper; Treasurer, gratify his sesthetic tastes naturally sought the
was nearly all sold and so it was with our last con- Charles A. Sackett, and Librarian, Stephen M. advantage of a front seat. The Deacon's passion
leaked out, and the Tribune printed this paragraph
cert. The rehearsals are largely attended by Knevals.
which led to a libel suit:
ladies who are subscribers. They can attend them
afternoons without escorts and do not have to make
"Deacon John Evans will be at the opera to-night,
AN ENTERPRISING MANAGER.
the elaborate toilets required by an evening enter-
front row pirquet, with a double-barrel marine
He wouldn't miss the bed-chamber scene in
tainment. Then again the masculine sex is not so
BUSY concert manager is George W. Colby glass.
1
fond of symphonic music and is easily bored by it.
who is looking after the interests of many Fra Diavolo ' for the profit of a dozen libel suits,
It is true that many gentlemen attend special prominent artists in various parts of the country. the sly red rooster."
concex'ts whose programmes they fancy, but per-
" The market is decidedly improving," he said Now, if the composer of "Fra Diavolo" could
haps they wouldn't become subscribers. The recently to a reporter of THE MUSICAL CRITIC AND
only sue Emma Abbott for having the temerity to
ladies who attend our rehearsals are mostly from TRADE REVIEW. " There is a livelier demand for sing in his opera with what she is pleased to call
the higher social classes; the concerts are listened concerts this season than last and audiences are her voice, the demands of poetic justice would be
to by mixed audiences. I'm afraid many ladies go willing to pay better prices. Everything musical satisfied all round.
to the Academy of Music to display their toilets that has merit is booming. In the smaller towns
in the conspicuous private boxes, rather than to people don't hesitate to pay more than ever for an
MISS DOLARO'S WHIM.
enjoy the opera. Steinway Hall has no boxes and evening's entertainment. Consequently, the out-
its lady patrons even if attired in the most be- look for the season is excellent."
SNAKE CHARMER," now being pro-
wildering styles can hardly hope for general ad-
duced at the "Bijou Theatre," is a popu-
" Hasn't the concert business been overdone? "
miration there. Ergo, they come to hear music.
" You might think so judging from the many lar success. It has been advertised as '' The Great
Now Dr. Damrosch likes to have an appreciative companies
that go on the road. That is not the Mogul" or " The Snake Charmer." Miss Lillian
audience, but a manager who desires financial as case, however.
I hear of many dramatic com- Russell, sings the role of Djemma, the snake
well as artistic success might well wish that the panies
going to pieces this season, but no concert charmer, while Miss Selina Dolaro sings that of
Academy boxes were transferred to Steinway Hall." companies
have so far met with disaster."
the Prince, who is to become the Great Mogul.
"Doesn't the society make money V "
" What class of music is generally preferred?" Miss Dolaro would not sing unless the misnomer
'' Well, a greater interest is displayed in oratorio was given to the operette and thus the proper title
" I t was not started in the interest of any indi-
vidual to make money. The board of directors music than ever before. This is largely due to was changed to the peculiar one, " The Great
has along desired to give the public as good con- the musical festivals. Boston has hitherto seemed Mogul " or " The Snake Charmer." The operette
certs as possible regardless of expense. If our to be the leading oratorical city, but other cities is called and named by Audran simply "The
houses were crowded our bills would be paid; if not, are working up to the same degree of musical Snake Charmer," and should be called here the
then the directors were ready to make up the taste."
T
A