Music Trade Review

Issue: 1882 Vol. 5 N. 12

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
January 20th, 1882.
THE MUSICAL CRITIC AND TRADE REVIEW.
The reproduction of "Der Freischutz," by the
Msennerchor, as a testimonial to Prof. Greiner. is
expected to meet with the same success the for-
mer presentation of the opera did, and it is to be
hoped that the testimonial will be a substantial
one.
It is a long time since the estimable Clara Louise
Kellogg has appeared before a Rochester audience,
and the concert to be given on the 16th inst. will,
no doubt, be well attended. It is to be hoped so,
and also that the great Patti will be greeted by a
large audience, should she favor us with a call.
173
Mr. Fritz Staub is manager of our Opera House, been greeted by a crowded house at each' per-
and is an exceedingly clever and accommodating formance.
gentleman. Our Opera House is a very nice build- The operas given were "La Mascotte," "Pina-
fore," "Olivette," "Chimes of Normandy," "Fat-
ing, with a seating capacity of 1,000 to 1,200.
We hope to have some good musical troupes initza," and "Czar and Carpenter," and it is need-
later in the season; our best troupes usually come less to add, that the last named elicited most
interest on the part of the musical people here.
in the latter part of the season.
A.s soon as our newjines of railroads are com- Of the other operas, it is hardly necessary to
pleted, which will be in less than a year, our speak; suffice it to say that they were splendidly
transportation facilities will be equal to that of rendered, and that the company, if anything, was
far above the requirements of the works.
any city of its size in the country.
The "Czar and Carpenter" was produced with
Troupes can then come without being carried
out of their way a hundred miles or more, as they the following cast:
INTRODUCING THE ELECTKIC LIGHT.
Burgomaster, Myron W. Whitney; Czar, Mr.
The electric light, which is quite general here have been forced to do in the past. A good musi- McDonald,
who hails from our neighboring town
now, has been introduced in the Corinthian Acad- cal company would be liberally patronized here of
Steubenville and has naturally many friends
emy, and over the entrance hangs one of the
here; Ivanof, Mr. Fessenden; French Ambassador,
magic lamps. The Grand Opera House has not
Tom Karl; Marie, Miss Geraldine Ulmar.
yet indulged, but as enterprise is one of its mot-
WEST DETROIT.
Mr. Whitney's Burgomaster was capital, beyond
toes, no doubt ere long it will also "let its light
WEST DETROIT, MICH., January 10.
riticism, and Miss Ulmar was charming in her
shine," etc.
T)RrVATE letters and the press from Australia
At all events, one great improvement is to be JL speak in very glowing terms of the Mendels- ole. opera was given here for the first time, and
made, and that is the enlargement of the facility sohn Quintette Club, of Boston, and the associated the The
daily press incline to the opinion that it will
of egress, in case of fire, and the placing of two prima donna, Miss Cora R. Miller.
a success.
fire alarm boxes in the building, one on the stage It is plain that the concerted playing of the not It prove
not have satisfied that part—and perhaps
and one in the auditorium. This will also be club is a revelation to our antipodal friends, and t was may
the greater part—of the audience which
done in the other places of amusement.
in no stinted measure do they express their feel- sxpected the rollicking, and I may say'vulgar fun
E. H. L. ings in regard to it. The club gave a series of con- only too liberally offered in "La Mascotte,"
certs at Sydney in October, after which they went Olivette," etc.; but the real musicians among us,
to Queensland, visiting Brisbane, Maryborough, those who care more for the intrinsic value of the
INDIANAPOLIS.
November 12, Gympie, November 18, Toowoomba opera musically and those who saw the best operas
INDIANAPOLIS, January 9.
and back to Sydney, November 26, where they in Europe and are best able to judge, were not
r p H E O . THOMAS'S Orchestra drew a good house left the same evening for Newcastle, arriving there ouly pleased with its rendition, but predict a
JL at the Park Theatre December 29, and the on the 27th of November; from there they go to successful future for the opera in this country.
Yale College Glee (Hub did a fair business there Tasmania, and then to Victoria and South Aus- The sextette for male voices in the second act
on January 4.
tralia.
was the evening's gem and was heartily encored.
Since the engagement of the Emelie Melville Miss Cora R. Miller, who is said to be a very Next Monday Miss Kellogg appears at a farewell
Company, we have had a rest from comic opera, handsome young debutante, reaps the highest com- oncert here, and a crowded house seems to be
although the return of this company would be pliments for her beautiful voice and the artistic insured.
welcomed, as it is the only comic opera company grace with which she imbues her simplest ballads
CHORAL SOCIETIES.
worthy of the name that has appeared here this as well as the most trying selections from operas.
My
reliance
for
material for future letters to you
season.
is placed upon the two attempts now being made
MISS MILLER'S SUCCESS.
MISS KELLOGG ATTRACTS ATTENTION.
to organize choral societies here.
Clara Louise Kellogg was never possessed of a The Gympie Boucicault says: "Miss Miller was Mr. Whitney, of Boston, who has been among
greeted
with
a
perfect
fusilade
of
applause
that
very sweet temper, and as she grows older she
us for some months, and who is backed by repu-
seems to become crankier. Her recent performances ran round the house like independent file-firing, tation and by friends made since his arrival, has
have surpassed all her former efforts to make her- which was taken up and*rang out sharply from the issued a call and expects to recruit a society from
self disagreeable, and if her poor little husband crowd, after her brilliant vocalization of Donizet- the membership of the former Gounod Club.
gets much happiness out of the coming union, he ti's Se Crudele, in which she more than realized Enjoying the prestige of some influential musical
our expectations."
will have to be a very patient man.
society people, he is confident of success, whilst
Eecently, at Milan, Tenn., she compelled the Mr. Schnitzler, violin, and Mr. Ryan, clarionet, Carl Retter,. an old resident of the city, organizer
are
apparently
great
favorites
with
their
audiences,
proprietor of the hotel to allow her colored maid
and director of the Symphonic Society (now dor-
to eat at the table with the other guests, threaten- and the success of this first venture of the Men- mant), is making a like effort, and is equally san-
delssohn
Quintette
Club
in
distant
lands
seems
ing to leave the house with her company in case
guine.
to be assured.
her demands were not acceded to.
Mr. Retter is well and favorably known here-
At Louisville she visited McCauley's Theatre, The Mastodon Minstrels have been drawing big abouts, is a thorough musician, has hosts of
and disgusted the audience by carrying on, in a houses early in November at the Opera House, friends, and has probably done more for the cause
loud tone, a conversation with her manager, who Sydney, and the Williamson Opera Company was of good music here than any other person.
sat in the box with her, and called down upon her- to open with "Pirates of Penzance" on the 12th It remains to be seen who will gain the lead. At
self the wrath of the ladies of the company by re- of November, at the Theatre Royal.
all events the city will profit by the undertaking
ferring to them, in a voice loud enough to be heard Mile. Charbonnet, a superb pianiste, was to whoever gains the victory.
have
a
benefit
concert
on
the
23d
of
November,
at
all over the house, as "those females."
On Thursday evening next the Art Society will
At Masonic Temple, the same night, she made a Masonic Hall, on which occasion some of the best give its ninety-fifth reception, Mrs. H. Holdship
similar display of herself, so that, considering she Sydney talent were to participate.
and Mr. Carl Retter having charge of the pro-
is only human, and with only human capacity for Miss Georgie Smithson has been delighting gramme, •which will consist of vocal music, piano
Jarge audiences at the Queen's, in a sensational aolos by Mr. R., and quartettes by Messrs. Maeder,
making trouble, she did pretty well.
drama entitled "The Female Detective;" it was ooper, Hirsch, and Retter.
ANOTHER PRIMA DONNA WITH A TEMPER.
changed November 12th for the play of "Mazeppa."
Mme. Gerster is another prima donna who pos- Theodore Thomas gave three concerts, with the
CINCINNATI'S OPERA FESTIVAL.
sesses a temper not to be despised.
members of the N. Y. Philharmonic Orchestra, on
The Cincinnati Opera Festival has excited much
While en route from Cincinnati here a short time December 30 and 31, and January 1, at Music interest here, and our city no doubt will be well
ago, she became enraged because the cars jolted Hall, Detroit. The attendance was not large, and represented at Cincinnati next month.
her, and declared that if the train was not run the management loses by it seventeen hundred Perhaps after our Choral Society is fully under-
slower she would refuse to sing that night.
dollars.
way, and peace reigns supreme, we may be able
She was finally pacified, however, and graciously
to announce another May Festival here. Who
allowed the train to proceed at the usual rate of
knows!
PITTSBUBQ.
speed.
Our last one, some years ago, was certainly suc-
Church choir concerts are quite the rage now,
PITTSBURG, January 7, 1882.
iesaful enough to justify a repetition.
and from one to a dozen are annonnced every
MUSICAL correspondence from America's
HlIiARIUS.
week.
blacksmith shop! What a task!
The Matinee Musicale closed its sixth year Jan- I should hardly have the courage to undertake
uary 4. They have had six years of uninterrupted it, were it not that the past and coming weeks
PHILADELPHIA.
success.
N.
furnish material for this letter, and that matters
PHILADELPHIA, January 10, 1882.
I shall mention below justify me in the hope of
HE holiday season has not been prolific of
having subject matter for future letters.
ENOXVILLE, TENN.
events.
Musically, this city has been almost as devoid The musical
Cecilian and Mendelssohn Societies have been
KNOXVILLE, January 9, 1882.
of enjoyable occasions of late as the Sandwich recuperating
from the recent concerts noticed in
UR amusement season, so far, has been un- Islands.
usually light, and almost a blank, so far as 'Tis true, the Art Society has its bi-monthly your last issue, and with Patti's brilliant concerts,
musical entertainments are concerned;
receptions, and quite a number of music-loving even the benefit-fiend seems frightened out of
Some amateur home concerts comprise the list people and amateurs arrange chamber-music even- the notion of concerts, as a possibility, after her
up to date. We have had circuses, "Two Medal- ings for themselves, but both are equally inacces- successes.
lions;" "Phunny Phellows," "Milton Nobles," sible to the general public, and unless a concert or She seems to have exhausted the field.
However, Colonel Mapleson is with us, proffer-
"Claire Scott," "Harry Pease," etc., and the next opera company should come here now and then
inflicted on the boards is Nick Roberts' "Humpty we would have a musical desert with scarcely an ing a two weeks' repertory of more dignity and
importance than any Her Majesty's Opera has
Dumpty" dates for the 10th and 11th inst.
oasis.
On the 27th the Knabe Orchestra gives a musi- No wonder, therefore, that the brief season of hitherto offered Philadelphia.
cal concert which introduces to our people our music which we are in the midst of brings out The first week we are promised "Aida," "Wil-
liam Tell," "Carmen," "Les Hugenots," "H
best home talent. They usually give one enter- the populace en masse.
Trovatore," "Rigoletto," and "Lohengrin" at the
tainment each year, about the holidays. These On Monday last, January 2, the
matinee; and the following week, "Mignon,"
entertainments are usually very creditable to those
BOSTON IDEAL OPERA # COMPANY
"Martha," and "Faust" for Wednesday, the 18th.
who participate in them, and are greatly enjoyed
opened an engagement at Library Hall, and has Further than that this deponenth sayeth not.
by our people.
A
T
O
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
January 20th, 1882.
174
THE MUSICAL CRITIC AND TRADE REVIEW.
Fashionable society is manifesting great inter-
est, and seems to be dividing its patronage verj
equally with the different nights.
The sale of tickets is quite large already for ad
Vance nights. Somehow it seems that whatever Mr.
John Pugh's uame is connected with, whether a
Star Course Lecture or a Grand Italian Opera, i
taken up by the pleasure-seekers and liberally
patronized.
EOSSTNl's APPEARANCE.
VOICE-TRAINING.
A BALTIMORE PHYSICIAN REPLIES TO DR,
WARD'S STRICTURES ON VOCAL METHODS.
TAKING ISSUE WITH D R .
WARD ON SEVERAL
IMPORTANT MEDICAL POINT*—THE U S E OF THE
LARYNGOSCOPE INCORRECTLY STATED—MAL-
IBRANS, MARIOS, AND CATALINIS NOT
MADE BY ANY MASTERS, BUT ONLY
AIDED IN BECOMING GREAT
ARTISTS—A SINGER R E -
LATES H I S EXPERI-
ENCE WITH THE
HOWARD
METHOD.
notes to their upper register; yet he is considerably
in error as to the functions assigned to the soft
palate and nasal cavity in voice production.
IMPORTANCE OF THE LARYNGOSCOPE.
As regards the formation of voice and the part
played in its modification by the different portions
of the respiratory track, many former misappre-
hensions have been recently dissipated by the new
light thrownluponthesubjectjby the laryngoscope,
an instrument for which the medical profession
has to thank Emanuel Garcia, a singing master.
By the aid of this ingenious contrivance, every
portion of the complicated mechanism which
takes part in voice production (the lungs alone
excepted) can be observed during the act of
phonation; but Dr. Ward far oversteps the mark
when he states that by its agency "the peculiar
differences in throats can be accurately mapped
out and the range of a given voice be almost in-
variably ascertained."
Outside of such broad differences, that a con-
tracted larynx and short, narrow vocal cords will
certainly produce a higher voice than a capacious
larynx, with long, broad cords, it is absolutely im-
possible to judge of the range of an individual's
voice from mere inspection of the parts, and to my
knowledge no laryngoscopist, except Dr. Ward,
has ever claimed the power to form such judg-
ment.
It is impossible to determine the compass and
quality of a voice from using this instrument.
The elasticity, suppleness, and contractility of its
component tissues have the greatest influence
upon sounds produced in the larynx, and, unfortu-
nately, we are unable to measure these qualities.
A new interest was given to "Aida" last night
by the "first appearance" in Philadelphia of two
pritna donne, Mile. Paolina Rossini, who sang the
role of Aida, and Mile. Cobianci, who appeared as
Amrusis.
Both performances were excellent.
Mile. Rossini has a fine stage presence, and acts
with intelligence. She has a strong soprano voice,
which she uses well, betraying a disposition, how-
BALTIMORE, January 10.
ever, to make an over use of the tremolo.
To the Editor 0/ THE MUSICAL CRITIC AND TRADE
The great duet with Signor Campanini (Rha-
REVIEW :
dames), in the third act, was enthusiastically en- ' I ^HE indictment has frequently, and with justice,
cored.
J_ been urged against instructors of singing, that
t
"PINAFORE" AGAIN.
they undertake the training of an organ in the
This week we are without "Patience," for a human body without deeming it important tt
wonder; but then "H. M. S Pinafore" has been acquaint themselves with the construction of that
revived by the Church Choir Company at the organ, or with those conditions absolutely neces-
sary for the proper performance of its functions
Lyceum.
The Edouin Sparks Company are giving that That such ignorance must favor the introduc-
clever and amusing combination of songs and non- tion of faulty methods of teaching, and conse-
sense, "Dreams, or Fun in a Photograph Gallery,' quently of singing, belongs to the very nature of
things, and I am convinced that an exposition of
at the Arch.
The Vienna Ladies' Orchestra, under the direc- the bad effects of such methods, as is contained
tion of Miss Temple, play to large audiences at the in the paper by Dr. Whitfield Ward, in your last
issue, may go far to remedy the evil.
Broadway Garden every evening.
OLD THEORIES ABANDONED.
The Ideal Opera Company, of Boston, will be
JOINING" ISSUE WITH DR. WARD.
at the Walnut Street Theatre on January 23, ap- Dr. Ward certainly points out in a most vigor- The physiology of the voice, which should
pearing in "Fatinitza," "The Chimes of Nor- ous manner some glaring defects in the present surely be of interest to musicians as well as physi-
mandy," "The Mascotte," "The Bohemian Girl," systems of singing masters, and calls attention to cians, has lately received so much study from
"Olivette," "The Pirates of Penzance," and "Pin- diseases occasioned thereby in the constituent able men, like Mandl, Browne, and Voltolini, that
afore."
parts of the voice-producing apparatus; yet I am old and ingenious theories are fast falling to the
Charles G. Wright, one of the ablest minstrels unable to agree with him in all of his conclusions, ground, beaten down by the iron logic of actual
in America, died at his son's residence, in this and I cannot believe that many teachers are guilty observation.
city, January 5. He was sixty-four years old, and of such gross mistakes as he lays to the charge of Since music, through the labors of its votaries,
was one of the original Peel troupe. He was a the whole class of voice-trainers.
has built for itself a sound scientific basis, why
noted ballad singer before the war.
It is very doubtful if any instructor would insist should not those who engage in its culture, utilize
CHAMBER CONCERT MATINEES.
upon or even permit the continued exercise of a the facts gleaned by scientific investigators that
The first of Himmelsbach's series of Classical pupil's voice during an attack of hoarseness, from bear upon the construction and working of the
htiman organ of voice?
Chamber Musical Matinees, to be given at the whatever cause.
The commonest logical faculty would save him It would be unreasonable to demand of the
Academy of Fine Arts, is announced for January
singing master that he learn the minute anatomy
21, with the following programme and partici- from so palpable a blunder.
and histology of the throat, or that he should
pants:
POINTING OUT AN ERROR.
thoroughly understand the various morbid condi-
John F. Himmelsbach, piano; M. Van Gelder,
of the singing and even speaking-voice tions that invade its delicate structures; but it may
violin; R. Henning, violoncello; and Mrs. Anna is Overuse
a notorious cause of some of the throat ailments very properly be required of him that he acquaint
Heinrich, soprano.
which Dr. Ward mentions, but it is certainly an
Trio for piano, violin, and 'cello (G major),— error to believe that either speaking or singing himself, at least, with the broad, general physiolog-
1. Andante; 2. Poco adagio, Cantabile; 3. Finale, under any conditions, or for any length of time, ical principle concerned in the production and
modification of voice.
Rondo all' Ongarese—Haydn. Vocal, "Hear ye, could produce paralysis of the cords.
STRUCTURE OF THE VOCAL APPARATUS.
Israel!" from "Elijah," Mendelssohn. Sonate for A form of sore throat known as acute simple
piano and violin (G Major, op. 13),—1. Lento laryngitis is occasionally accompanied by slight The essential parts of the voice apparatus are
doloroso, allegro vivace; 2. Allegretto tranquillo;
of the vocal cords, and has for its cause, in the vocal cords, two thin, flat bands of fibrous
3. Allegro animato—Edvard Grieg. Sonate for paresis
the
great
majority of instances, exposure to damp, issue, which may be justly likened to the vibrat-
piano and violoncello (D major; op. 58),—1. Alle- cold, and varying
temperature; but this ailment is ing tongues of reed instruments.
gro assai vivace; 2. Allegretto scherzando; 3. rare among singers,
These cords (or reeds, as they should be called,)
for the most part know
Adagio; 4. Molto allegro e vivace—Felix Men- the danger and avoid who
are set into vibration by the current of air driven
the
effects
of
such
exposure.
delssohn-Bartholdy. Vocal, a Waldesgesprach,
through the wind pipe by the lungs during expi-
b Aus alten Marchen, Schumann. Novelletten Moreover, no method of singing, be it correct or ration, the lungs performing the same function in
faulty,
can
lead
to
the
developments
of
such
a
for piano, violin and 'cello (A minor, op. 29), 1.
voice as do the bellows in the organ. They act
Allegro scherzando; 2. Andantino con moto; 3. morbid condition of the larynx.
as reservoirs and 2'ropellers of air.
Those forms of throat trouble to which singers, merely
Moderate; 4. Larghotto con moto; 5. Finale,
The
vibration
of the vocal cords produces a tone
as well as orators, actors, clergymen and auction- whose pitch depends
Allegro, Niels W. Gade.
upon their length and ten-
eers, are especially liable, and which often find sion, and whose loudness
depends upon the strength
Mr. Chas. H. Jarvis, on January 7, gave the their origin in faulty methods of breathing and
second soiree of his present series of concerts. His intonation, are chronic laryngitis and pharyngitis, of the expiratory blast. The timbre or quality of
selections for the piano were entirely from Chopin. marked by engorgement and relaxation of the the voice is determined principally by the physi-
What a nuisance talking at both opera and con- mucus investment of these parts—and the chor- cal quality of the cords, and depends upon the
certs is becoming, and it seems to be fast on the ditis tuberosa (only found in singers), which was number and character of the overtone which
accompany any given fundamental note.
increase. When one may not enjoy in peace what first described by Tuerck.
we have to pay so dearly for, namely, "Her Ma-
The length of the cords which decides the range
CAUSE OF HOARSENESS.
jesty's Opera," it does seem pretty hard.
of the voice may be looked upon as constantin the
The general complaint is about the discourtesy No one could take exception to the excellent odividual, since it varies only with age, and only
to the singer, but we think we are the onea to be rule laid down by Dr. Ward, that "all acts of vo- up to the time of puberty. It thus becomes appar-
alization productive of hoarseness are certain to ent how futile must be any efforts of training
pitied.
The artists are paid the same, whether we have injure the vocal cords," had he substituted the :o change a baritone to a tenor, or an alto to a
the best or the smallest possible opportunity to word voice for vocal cords, for it is well known soprano.
enjoy their performance, and loud and vulgar among laryngologists that the cause of simple The pharynx and the mouth are merely reson-
talking, to say nothing of laughter, is a serious hoarseness is seldom found in a morbid condition ,nce chambers, and alteration of shape in these
of the cords themselves.
annoyance to lovers of music.
avities affect and change the number or promi-
Apropos of higher prices, I wonder people According to Mandl, Lennex, Browne, and my nence of overtones, on which, as I have stated
have not more to say about them, after so much own experience, the hoarseness of singers, which above, depends in a measure the quality of the
s usually not so much a mere gruffness of voice voice.
has been said about elevating the public taste.
Why should it be the privileged few only who as an inability to sustain a certain tone or a cer- The effect of change in the shape of the mouth
are to be allowed to see what is best worth seeing tain pitch, is very often unaccompanied by any cavity upon a note is very evident in the singing
altered appearance in the throat, but is evidently af vowels, which are in fact the only sounds that
on the stage?
Actors and singers are not sliort-lived people, due to actual fatigue of the muscles of the larynx, 3an be spoken or sung. Consonants are vowel
and they certainly like to keep before the public brought about in large measure by incomplete ounds altered by modifying the air blast some-
as long as they possibly can, so that there would and ill-timed respiration.
where in its course through the air passages.
be time and a chance for every one to see them, if
Dr. Ward calls deserved attention to the impair- All vowels are produced by the same fundamen-
only a reasonable price for seats would be charged. ment of voice which elongation of the uvula and tal note sounded by the vibrating cords, but the
We mean for such seats as the large number of nlargement of the tonsils must necessarily pro- difference in the character is due to the different
the middle class, with only moderate means, duce, and it is an established fact that the excision vertones brought into prominence by changes in.
of enlarged tonsils in singers actually adds several he shape of the buccal cavity.
care to occupy.
RALPH CECIL.

Download Page 7: PDF File | Image

Download Page 8 PDF File | Image

Future scanning projects are planned by the International Arcade Museum Library (IAML).

Pro Tip: You can flip pages on the issue easily by using the left and right arrow keys on your keyboard.