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100
THE MUSICAL CRITIC AND TRADE REVIEW.
November 20th, 1881.
an engagement as a solo performer here in ten de- elaboration of figures make it a highly interest- Madame Claus understood how to interpret the
cades. We also have hundreds of better performers ing work by one of the renowned living composers, sentiment of the composition, and has fully mas-
in New York. He seems to have been drilled in- who should always be encouraged.
tered its technical difficulties.
to the accompaniments.
Berlioz's work occupied the greater part of the Mr. Constantin Sternberg performed an excellent
To sum up this company in one phrase, we say ntertainment. The "Symphonie Fantastisque " selection of piano morceaux, playing three etudes
again, that not one member of it is fit to be in the has been performed here frequently, but we —one by Moscheles, one by Liszt and another by
same concert company with Adelina Patti. How doubt, if an evener and smoother rendition was Moszkowski—with skill and musical judgment.
she could select these people to " assist " her in a ever heard. It appeared as if Dr. Damrosch had The last named etude is a work of the highest mer-
concert tournee in this country is another one of been devoting all his energies and labor upon the it. He also performed several of his own composi-
the anomalies of this interesting case. We predict proper rehearsal of this magnificent tone-poem. tions from o\>. 22.
that the company will soon be disbanded.
We call it magnificent purposely. This is not the
The great redeaming feature of these concerts is occasion to enter upon musical polemics and re-
MISS LIZZIE PRIEST'S CONCERT.
Adelina Patti's wonderful voice. She is one of the open controversies upon weighty questions such
NE of the most interesting concerts given in
greatest, if not the greatest, vocalist who has ever as the position of Berlioz in the musical world, or
sung, here. Her voice is naturally a purely musi- the particular value of this work. Suffice it to say
New York during the past two weeks was
cal one, intensely and often affectingly sympathet- that when it is heard amid advantageous sur- that of Miss Priest, a young pianiste, on Nov. 7, at
ic, and productive of the most powerful emotions. roundings, it becomes one of the noblest creations Steinway Hall. Her touch is sympathetic and
Often one single note has the effect of an ordinary of one of the greatest luminaries of the musical at the same time powerful; her schooling seems
satisfactory passage in that it sways and occupies firmament. It is an admitted fact that his instru- to have been rigid and legitimate, enabling her to
one's complete attention. The quality of her voice mentation, especially in this symphony, exceeds perform with ease and certainty. She 'played a
cannot easily be described. It is the kind of voice that of any prior composition of that order. The Tarantella, Mazurka, and the " Military Polon-
that we long for when we hear others sing and question to be discussed is the one appertaining aise" of Chopin ; a Morceau, by Bendel, and two
hardly can realize it when we hear it. In addition to the musical value of the work and as we have compositions by Raff, with much taste and discre-
to this natural wonderful organ Adelina Patti is said, we will not enter upon that at present. tion. The young lady will be successful as a
gifted with musical talent which infuses her voice Thanks are due to Dr. Damrosch for the efforts he pianiste if she continues to apply herself with the
with passion and animation. Her vocal culture displays in producing works and introducing same assiduity in the future as she has done in the
must have been accomplished with comparatively compositions which are not to be found in the tra- past.
little effort. She was endowed by nature with those ditional programmes of the last half-century.
Mr. Werner played a cello solo and the obligate
gifts which ordinary vocalists acquire only after The Symphony Society has the proper conductor, to Gounod's "Ave Maria," which was sung by
years of diligence and often untiring labors. It re- if judged by nothing more than the intellectual Miss Letitia Fritch. This young vocalist has made
quires no physical effort on her part to deliver the manner in which he directed Berlioz's " Symphonie excellent progress since last season, her singing
complicated chromatic and other figures in Rossi- Fantastisque."
being of a higher order, and her vocalization
ni's aria. The singing of a scale is with her like
apparently more developed. She has a very pow-
the singing of a note ; only that she seems to enjoy
erful and true soprano voice, which she uses with
THALIA THEATRE.
the former more than the latter.
excellent judgment.
" T H E HAUNTED CASTLE."
After having heard her under the difficulties
Mr. Stanley, a young tenor, should be heard
above described and with such a satisfactory re- npHIS is the best English translation of the title more frequently, as his voice is oftener read about
sult it can be readily understood what tremen- J_ of Carl Milboecker's operette, " Das Ver- than heard. Mr. Oscar Stein sang a very accept-
dous success would attend Adelina Patti in opera wunschene Schloss." It is without doubt one of able song by Brandeis, and a Schumann song as
here. The operatic stage is her proper sphere the most charming works of its kind ever produced an encore, which would have been equally pleasing
and until she has appeared upon it there will be here, both in regard to its libretto and musical had a little more attention been paid to the phras-
no unalloyed satisfaction in her visit to this construction.
ing. The concert was largely attended.
country.
An Austrian Lord owns a castle on the Tyrol on
the borders of a lake. He often visits it with his
MISS CARRIE E. MASON'S CONCERT.
friends and retinue, but always approaches from
FIRST CONCERT OF THE SYMPHONY SOCIETY. the lake side. The mountaineers and peasants of r I "^HIS young lady gave a concert at Chickering
INSTITUTIONS fostering such artistic taste, and the neighborhood, ignorant of his presence and J_ Hall, on Thursday evening, November 3d,
J_ creating such enthusiasm among their adher- hearing sounds of music and revelry, and seeing with the assistance of Miss Emily Winant, con-
ents, as the Symphony Society of New York does, lights throughout the building are led by super- tralto; Mr. Francis F. Powers, baritone, and the New
must be welcomed season after season, on every oc- stition to consider the castle haunted. After York Philharmonic Club. Miss Mason's voice ia
casion when the results of their labor are produced. many grotesque and comical situations the denoue- well adapted to concert singing. Her vocal cul-
ture shows a correct musical training. If there are
The first concert of the society for the season ment at last takes place.
1881-82, was given Saturday night, NOT. 5th, at The most important feature of this operette is here and there a few notes wanting in clear timbre,
Steiuway Hall, the public rehearsal having taken the interesting musical ideas permeating through- continuous practice will soon improve the defici-
place the Thursday previous. On both occasions out the comjDosition. There are many passages in ency. The " Romanze," by Mattei was sung with
which real merit and remarkable originality are much feeling, and the interpretation was very
the hall was filled to its utmost capacity.
In the selection and arrangement of the pro- blended. The composer must be a musician of artistic.
gramme, Dr. Damrosch, the conductor, showed more than ordinary qualifications, as his concep- Miss Winant is an ever welcome figure in con-
especial skill and a wise appreciation of the de- tion and execution are much above the level of the certs. Her sympathetic voice and intelligent man-
mands of a promiscuous audience. For, notwith- every-day order. We see no reason why this ner always leave pleasant impressions. There was
standing that an audience is a musical audience, work should not become a general favorite and be more than the usual resonance in her voice and she
there is always, however, a large number of tyros adapted for the English operette stage. It has de- sang Adam's "Cantique de Noel," with splendid
to whom an ultra-classical concert would be rath cidedly more value than the average operette effect.
Mr. F. F. Powers made two judicious selections.
er tiresome. The tenor arias were, therefore, weL heard at present.
chosen and in their proper place ahead of the Marie Geistinger as Regerl presented a true pic- It is always preferable to listen to Schubert or
ture of unsophisticated nature. It is simply Mendelssohn at a concert, especially when many
" Symphonie Fantastique."
The programme was as follows :—Beethoven's astounding to behold the ease with which this re- names like Pinsuti, Gabriel, and the like are on the
Overture, "Ooriolanus; "Mozart's " II inio tesoro," markable artiste can transform herself from the programme. Mr. Powers has a powerful baritone,
from "Don Giovanni," surg by Campanini refinement of modern society to the simplicity of but is especially deficient in phrasing. He sings
Brahm's new overture, "Academic Festival;' nature and its surroundings. "The Haunted correctly otherwise, but phrasing is included in
Beethoven's "Adelaide," sung by Campanini; and Castle " does not afford her the same advantages good singing and is indispensable. Mr. Richard
Arnold played the "Hungarian Song," by Sara-
Berlioz's "Symphony Fantastique." Surely this that other operettes have given.
FraiUein Seebold as Coralie sang and acted with sate, in excellent style.
was a most interesting and instructive programme
Signor Campanini established himself as a mas dash and spirit. The Audreol of Herr Klein was
terly exponent of the Beethoven song. The " I an excellent representation of its kind, and the
BLANCHE ROOSEVELT'S CONCERT.
mio tesoro," from Don Giovanni, is a beautifu^ Sepp of Heir Walter was very satisfactory with the
lyric, but next to or before the pathetic and poetic exception of his vocalization. Frau Raberg as
ISS
ROOSEVELT made her first appearance
song of Beethoven, it must fade and lose its strength Mirzt and Messrs. Link and Lube as Lamolle and
in concert here since her return from Europe,
Geierstein
were
extremely
comical
and
added
much
Campanini sang the "II mio tesoro " charmingly,
on Saturday evening, Nov. 5th, at Chickering
and with that sweet and caressing spirit which to the ensemble. Chorus and orchestra seemed to Hall. The audience was composed chiefly of per-
both text and music call for ; but Jin the "Adel be in perfect accord and the result was a presenta- sons who had either no musical taste, or v«ry
aide," the dramatic intensity of the compositioL tion of more than usual merit.
poor taste indeed, and consequently a trashy
gave him splendid opportunities which he quickly
programme received general approval. Miss
MADAME JENNY CLAUS.
grasped, and in rendering this great song he gave
Roosevelt sang the "Jewel Song" from Faust,
evidence of musical culture and understanding
HE small hall at Steinways was crowded with and a new ballad, so called, the "Valley Lily,"
entirely distinct from the routine of operatic study
an attentive audience, on Nov. 11th, to hear the words being written by Sam. Ward, and the
or the usages of the oratorio. A profound sympa this lady, who announced herself as " world-re- music by Stephen Massett. On every programme
thy and the greatest talents are the only meanb nowned," to play the violin.
this number was underscored with red pencil
that enable a vocalist with cultured schooling to She performed the Mendelssohn Concerto marks, possibly to call attention to the absurdity
sing this song satisfactorily, and Campanini did a Rondo and Cappricioso, by Saint-Saens; and the of the composition.
sing it satisfactorily.
Miss Roosevelt is naturally endowed with an
Faust Fantaisie by Vieuxtemps. She is a pupil of
The rendering of the Beethoven overture was the French school of violin playing having been, excellent voice, and if she abandoned her very
not quite as decided and well-defined as we could if we are not mistaken, a pupil of Dancla. She i poor method, which has led her into a false vocal-
have wished. In fact there was a dragging o a true representative of that school, playing with ization, and at times a wretched intonation, she
tempi down to the symphonie, and including 1 spirit, taste and understanding, but lacking in might be able to shine as a singer of good qualities.
portion of Part III. of the same. Campanini wai tone. Whether this was due to the instrument, or Even the encore, "Down the Swanee River,"
at times compelled to urge the accompaniment, the acoustic properties of the hall cannot be said, although it pleased many innocent people, includ-
but before his songs, in the Overture this hesitation but her tone was not sympathetic, nor was it ing Secretary Blaine, who happened to be in the
was somewhat clumsy. The Brahm's overture was large. It was also evident that Madame Clau Hall, was not sung with correct vocalization, nor
delivered Avith taste, and even grandeur. It is i could do better with closer attention to detail.
was the sentiment musically expressed. Ardent
work that should have a permanency in classica. The Saint-Saens composition is an excellent se- admirers and beautiful floral offerings do not cor-
programmes. The attachment to form and the lection for concerts, and it should be played often. rect artistic defects.
O
M
T