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THE MUSICAL CRITIC AND TRADE REVIEW.
160
January 5th, 1883.
price Patti gets is quite reasonable—Nicolini gets
about $999 too much. But I cannot understand
how Manager Abbey can give the other members
of the company such a comparatively large salary.
influence and find appreciation as they develop
Seventy-five cents each per night to Levilly,
their powers under the care of their conductor,
Pinto, Gorno, and associates! There must be some-
Mr. Balatka.
thing wrong in that statement, and, I think, upon
MB. W. H. SHERWOOD.
investigation, it will be discovered.
I really think that a close scrutiny of the con-
This gentleman paid us a flying visit, giving one
tract will betray the fact that the balance of the
pianoforte recital at Fairbank Hall. He came to
companv are going along for nothing, provided
illustrate the merits of the Miller piano.
that Abbey will see them through the winter sea-
The programme presented was of the highest
son free of charge, You know the majority can
order, embracing Bach, Schumann, Chopin, Eu-
then either join a Coney Island Band, or the
binstein. Raff, Liszt, and Hewoelt selections, with
singers can begin rehearsals in church choirs.
the Gavotte Moderne of Mr. Liebling, in addition.
All, except Nicolini and Levilly,—these two chaps
Mr. Sherwood is an artist of great merit, and he
must rent a dime museum and show themselves for
plays with fine feeling, good tone, and an ade-
T has always been a cause of wonder to me why ten cents. Nicolini has lots of muscle and a con-
quate technique.
such great discrepancies exist in reference to siderable quantity of brass, and Levilly has no
His audience at this recital numbered our best
musical people, who received him with a most the salaries which are paid to singers and other mu- voice, no hair on top of his head, and an abund-
sical artists. Yoxi will find, on going around, that ance of side whiskers. They must both, however,
hearty appreciation.
manager will mention a different sum, when be cautious and not lease a building for any length
He is sure of full recognition whenever he visits each
about the figures charged by the average of time. In about three months the novelty will
this city, for his playing is worthy of high praise. asked
artist. Many of these figures are entirely fabu- be gone, and then Nicolini can go back to his
He draws from the instrument that lovely singing lous
; yet the average man or woman believes more original occupation as a gar con, and Levilly will
qmality of tone that only may express true feeling. willingly
a large sum is paid than that a small be able to start off on a tour to the Chincha
1 know of no American pianist who has reached one covers that
the
outlay.
Islands without a rival to accompany him.
a higher point of true excellence than Mr. Sher-
For instance, some time ago, Miss Belladonna
There is no doubt that, besides the extravagant
wood.
was engaged for a series of concerts with Mr. figures mentioned in connection with the parties
THE A P O U J O CLUB.
Jacoby, the great piano player. Well, I made it above referred to, there are many others who speak
This club appears in two concerts this week, my express business to seek some information of fabulous sums, when, in reality, only reasonable
namely, "The Damnation of Faust" and "The about the price she receives for this engagement. amounts are expended for less than reasonable
Messiah." Mr. Thomas comes from New York to I was interested in her pecuniary success, as much service in many instances.
conduct. He will bring some seventeen men with as I was dubious as to her artistic success. These
Managers find it politic to mention large sums
him, and, with additions from our home musicians, feelings operated upon me by inverse ratio.
in connection with the names of artists who have
form an orchestra, which, after these concerts,
I first sought information at the bureau through signed with them, yet the real price is far below
will visit several Western cities. Of these con- which her engagement was effected, and I discov- the stated one. As a matter of course, artists who
certs, in my next.
C. H. BRITTAN.
ered that her abilities were rated at about five are endowed with talent, or who have reputations,
hundred dollars per week, including collateral get large salaries, and in phenomenal cases, like
expenses.
Patti or Nilsson, an exception may be made. This
This discovery made me temporarily happy. I very exception, however, proves the rule. The
had known that the young lady was fully compe- majority of artists receive between two hun-
tent to accept most any engagement, but did not dred and five hundred dollars per week, and the
suppose, even for one-quarter of a second, that great artists, between five hundred and eight hun-
PROF. SCOTT'S VENTURE.—Prof. E. Homer Scott, five hundred dollars would fall to her lot per dred dollars. The exceptional artists receive one
of the Beethoven Conservatory of Music, St. Louis, week. I felt so completely overcome that I went thousand, and a little over, and the phenomena
Mo., and a teacher of wide experience, has opened over to Maurer's for a glass of Niersteiner.
receive phenomenal prices, which the people pay
a school of music in Abingdon, HI., on the con- Imagine my astonishment, when, after a ten- to the manager, who generally has nothing, or
servatory plan. The best studies for piano, organ minutes' talk with an aspiring young agent who less than nothing, left as his share after fulfilling
and voice are used by him.
happened to be seated there, I was shown a tele- the terms of his contract.
NICHTSNUTZ.
in which she asks only three hundred per
A DRESS THAT IS TALKED ABOUT.— A very gram,
provided the arrangement is immediately
pretty satin dress, painted by Mrs. Cyn thia Leon- week,
THE.CINCINNATI PRIZE.
"Of course," said he, "following my
ard, is worn by Miss Lillian Russell, as the perfected.
advice,
she
accepted
the
two
hundred
which
was
HE
Board
of Judges appointed by the Cincin-
Countess, in "Olivette," at the Bijou Opera House.
nati Musical Festival Association, consisting
It is a bewildering piece of millinery and artistic offered, she to pay her own expenses."
"Well," said I, "my dear boy, what do you make of Carl Reinecke, of Leipsic, the celebrated Ger-
work.
after taxing your brain to this hitherto unex- man musician ; M. Saint-Saens, of Paris, and
A PERTINENT INQUIRY.—What is the matter with ampled extent ? What is your remuneration for Theodore Thomas, have submitted their report
awarding the prize of $1,000 to William Gilchrist,
C. H. Dittman? He formerly advanced the inter- accomplishing this diplomatic stroke ?"
"Oh, I make ten per cent."
of Philadelphia, for the best original composition
ests of the celebrated musical artists who came
here, but this season he seems to be idle. Is he "Well," said I, "you are then realizing twenty for chorus and orchestra, to be performed at the
next May Musical Festival in Cincinnati.
dollars a week right along."
laying off, or laying low, or otherwise?
"No, no, no, no !" said he, in despair ; "do you
The title of Mr. Gilchrist's composition is " The
BAD SIGN.—Freddy Schwab is also one of the not see, she was too late? There were three other Forty-sixth Psalm." Mr. Gilchrist formerly re-
idlers this season. What has been getting into offers, and between you, me, and the electrio- sided in Cincinnati for some time.
the boys, anyhow? Formerly New York was the light-post, she was glad to take eighty-five dollars
first and last, but not the intermediate, spot in a week, and I only make eight dollars and fifty In a notice of the singing of Mrs. E. Alino
which they could be found. Now you can find one-hundreths per week."
Osgood, at the Mozart Society of Chicago, The
"But that is better than nothing," added he.
Freddy and the boys here all the time. Bad sign!
Chicago Tribune of December 21 says: "In
"Yes," said I, pondering over similar failures in almost every requisite of a concert singer she is
CAN THIS BE TRUE?—Somebody has been telling the history of great men. "It is much better regally endowed. She has in her favor a most
us that Wolfsohn, who has been out with Joseffy than nothing; eight and one-half times better agreeable and natural, unaffected presence, a voice
this season, is an awful fibber. But we know than one, and a good deal better than nothing." of remarkable purity and freshness, a method of
better. Sometimes, when he tells you about the
Here is an evidence to you about the propensity rare beauty and yet apparently unstudied, an
receipts, he may inadvertently add another cipher, that is cviltivated to tell everything bat the truth. enunciation that is as clear as if she were reading,
but he never does so with malice aforethought. Oh, Now, what earthly good could it do the first agent and a feeling, sympathy, and expression that con-
no! Wolfsohn is all right. If he keeps on he will to circumnavigate the truth in such a shocking stitute her unquestionably the best American bal-
be a great manager one of these days.
manner? I was, as a matter of course, interested lad singer on the stage. Since her last appearance
to discover the difference between a real and here she has added notes both to her higher and
AN IMPORTANT MUSICAL EVENT.—The New York then
pretended outlay. I made it my business to lower voice; those in the higher are as clear as a
Press Club are preparing to give a concert for the a inquire
of two or three artists how much they ask bird's and of beautiful quality, and with a single
benefit of their building fund. Colonel Mapleson for one concert
a certain stated night. I went to exception in the lower voice they are very rich,
has tendered the services of his opera company, Buffalo on some on
business, and on my return I asked the exception being that her voice does not seem
and the Academy of Music has been secured. Mr. a well-known agent
how much he would charge me to touch her lowest note with the same ease and
Leon N. Salmon, of The Times, chairman of the for the same artists on
the same night. Meanwhile, naturalness that it has adapted. itself to the
committee of arrangements, is working like a I had really made an opening
in a town for a con- others."
beaver. Patti will probably sing, and Salmon cert at such, or nearly such, figures
as were given
hopes to have her, Gerster and Minnie Hauk to me by the artists. My consternation
great
An interesting performance of "Patience" was
appear in "Ballo Maschera." In that happy when I heard sums mentioned to me by was
the agent given by the Ideal Company at the Brooklyn Acad-
event, tickets will be twenty dollars each, and the compared with which those of the artists
were emy of Music December 19. The audience was large
club may count on fifteen thousand dollars towards insignificant.
and generously applauded the singing. Mile. Jar-
its building fund. Louis Blumenberg, the noted
There must be some kind of illegitimate collu- beau and the other leading artists were in good
violoncellist, will also appear.
sion, or the artists must be placing themselves at voice, and the chorus singing was moderately good.
CHRISTMAS MUSIC.—James Pearce, organist of the disposal of the agent at a certain price, and
Christ Church, played several pieces of his own the agent makes the difference. The high price
composition at the Christmas services in a very mentioned by the agent really destroyed every
creditable manner.
chance I had, and the concert in that town was
SO PRAN O,
A NEW VENTURE.—It is reported that Minnie abandoned.
This
reminds
me
of
the
discrepancies
in
state-
Desires
engagements
for Operas and Concerts,
Hauk will soon go on the road starring in English
ments made about Patti and her company. I hear
Oratorios, Ktc.
opera. She is looking for a good tenor.
from one source that she gets $5,000 a night and a
percentage; Nicolini, according to contract, gets Address, 150 West 16th Street, Blew York City.
$1,000, and the rest seventy-five cents a night. The or MUSICAL CRITIC AND TRADK RKVIKW, 864 Broadway, New York.
Mme. Albani is expected soon in Berlin.
STAFF CORRESPONDENCE.
(Continued from page 157.)
J
TALK OF THE DAY
T
MLLE. MARIE GLOVER,