Music Trade Review

Issue: 1882 Vol. 5 N. 18

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
280
April 20th, 1882.
THE MUSICAL CRITIC AND TRADE REVIEW.
He has been unable to restrain his longing to see
her again. He finds the familiar book and opens
it, when a smothered cry is heard outside. As-
canio's song has been cut short by an avenging
dagger. Paolo's first impulse is to call to his
friend, but the book he holds in his hand fasci-
nates him. He goes on turning the pages, and
while he is doing so, Francesca returns. Paolo
hides behind a curtain. Francesca, lookiug at the
book, perceives that some one has been reading
it. Her instinct tells her who. Passion conquers
duty and honor. The lovers rush into each other's
arms, heedless of their plighted faith. They are
interrupted by Ascanio, who enters, and before
dying at their feet has just time to warn them of
the coming of Malatesta, who sudenly rises before
them, sword in hand, and mad with rage and jeal-
ousy.
T
HE season will be ended in a few weeks, and I
will be about ready then to prepare for my
A cloud immediately veils the end of this excit- annual summer vacation.
ing scene from the spectator, and the infernal There are no musical performances of any con-
region is again presented. As in the prologue, we sequence to take place after the May Festival, and
are shown Paolo and Francesca on their rock, lost but few between now and then. I think, there-
in ecstacy and singing their love duo. Close to fore, that this is a good time to tell you my im-
them are Dante and Virgil. Dante evokes the
spirit of Beatrice, who appears at the back of the pressions about the season now ending.
stage surrounded by angels and encircled by a I have heard many concerts this season—more
halo. Beatrice and the angels hold palms in than during any other season that I have lived
their hands, which they stretch out toward Paolo
and Francesca as a token that God has forgiven through.
them. Then the two lovers reappear in a celestial I am astonished that after hearing some of them
apotheosis, introduced by three successive tab- I have lived through this season.
leaux representing Hell, Earth and Heaven, and
Many of these musical affairs were excellent.
the opera comes to an end.
Many of them have contributed a great deal to-
wards an improvement in musical taste in this
MASSENET'S "HEBODIADE."
country. Others again have had quite a demoral-
I observe with regret and surprise the announce- izing effect upon persons who have a tendency to-
ment of Massenet's "Herodiade" as one of the pos- wards acquiring respectable musical taste.
sible novelties to be produced during the forthcom-
On the whole, the season, with its grand Italian
ing Italian opera season at Co vent Garden.
As I feel sure I represent the feelings of most per- Operas, its Philharmonic Society Concerts, its
sons acquainted with this work, I trust you will new New York Chorus Society Concerts, the Dam -
allow me to utter a protest against its production on
the English stage. My objection to this work is rosch Symphony Concerts and the Oratorio So-
based on the character of the libretto, which, be- ciety Concerts, makes a good showing.
sides being ridiculous in itself, is most objectionable
and offensive, being a flagrant outrage on literary, I must add to these regular events also the
historical and religious good taste.
Chamber Music Concerts of the Philharmonic
I think few persons in England will be prepared Club, the New York Quintette Club, and the
quietly to accept the gross caricature of sacred his-
tory served out to them by M. Massenet's librettists, Standard Quartette Club.
who, besides numerous minor breaches of good I maintain that this array of musical events is
taste, have turned St. John the Baptist into an enor- equal to any that can be boasted of in any city on
mous "tenor du grand opera," who, in true operatic
style, warbles out a quantity of maudlin love ditties the globe.
to Salome, and have introduced within the sacred New York has certainly become a musical cen-
precincts of the temple a modern corps de ballet.
That I am by no means singular in my objections tre. The concerts given by these organizations
to this work is proved by the fact that, although it have all been well attended, and the pecuniary re-
has been in active rehearsal for many weeks, the sult was insured long before the season ended.
management of the splendid new opera house at
Geneva have been obliged to give up all idea of its But many other concerts have been given; so
production, since the Municipal council (a body by many that I hesitate to enumerate them. You
no means overburdened with religious scruples) have remember, of course, La Patti's concerts, and so
refused to grant any money toward it on the ground
that the libretto was of a nature to wound the feel- forth. I suppose that during the past season the
ings of many of the rate-payers, and that a numer- public has had the opportunity of enjoying from
ous and influential memorial to that effect had been
four to five musical events per week.
presented to them.—Letter to the London Times.
The character of most of the librettos of the And now the climax is reached in the May
Italian operas is objectionable, although for reasons Festival!
somewhat differing from those assigned by the I am getting proud of New York. There is
writer of the above letter.
idea prevailing that we must go to Europe to hear
The plots related in most of these librettos are
simply absurd. Of the operas given in New music; I suppose that idea will not be nourished
York during the past season we may refer to "Un so much hereafter.
Ballo in Maschero," with its ridiculous libretto; Of course, these many musical events indicate
"Mignon" with its distorted libretto, and "Travi- that musical opinion prevails in the community.
ata" with its perversion of "Camille."
Many more instances could be cited. No won- At a concert given a few evenings ago, I picked
der that Wagner has succeeded in creating a new up a programme which had some marginal notes
and healthy sentiment when the majority of operas written in lead pencil next to the names of th
of the Italian school presents us with a series of composer.
events on the stage which could never have hap-
pened in reality, and yet which contains no ideal- It reminded me of the quotations on a report o:
the Corn and Flour Exchange.
ism.
It was as follows:
A correspondent writes from Malta to the Lon-
Boccherini—Fair.
don World: "We have here this winter singing at
Taubert—Ditto.
the opera a most charming American lady, Miss
Handel—Good middling.
Sargent. She has a superb soprano voice, which
for clearness and sweetness of tone can hardly be
Rossini—?
excelled. She has appeared in "La Sonnambula"
Sarasate—Very fair.
and "Lucia di Lammermoor," in both of which she
Mattei—Very poor.
is all but perfect; but her crowning success has
Mendelssohn—Fine
grade.
been in "I Puritani," which brings out the full
Liszt—Very ?
volume of her voice.
Ambroise Thomas—Local value.
Rappoldi, the violinist, whose reputation is very
great just now, recently played in Leipsic, the fol-
Beethoven—A A No. 1.
lowing numbers being on the programme : Schu-
Arditi—Bad.
mann's D minor Sonata (op. 121), a Sarabande and
Schumann—A No. 1.
Tambourin by Leclair, and a Prelude and Fugue
Anon—Often excellent.
in C by Bach.
THE EPILOGUE THEN FOLLOWS.
Some judgment was necessary to grade this list.
Whoever did it must have heard music in his
day.
Arditi appears to be graded very low.
Arditi deserves it, I think.
A conductor who has been studying such artistic
cores as he has, should not compose at all if he
annot do better than he has done up to date. He
s eminent as a director of a certain class of Ital-
an operas, and he deserves this eminence.
I do not think that he appreciates Wagner, for
instance.
Arditi is a director of remarkable qualities in a
3ertain field. Now, if Dr. Damrosch possessed the
same qualities and exercised them in his field, he
ould be classed among the ablest men of the day.
Dr. Damrosch has the dramatic impulse. He
has the sympathetic nature which appreciates the
intentions of the composer.
His disposition leads him to be conscientious and
painstaking, and I know he is extremely emotional
quality much to be desired—but I am afraid
that he does not possess the quality of correctly
estimating the individual tendencies of the players
under him; neither does he appear to understand
how to control, and then keep the control, of a
large body of musicians.
He thus fails to communicate his sentiments as
hey should be communicated. They are conveyed
aultily, and a false impression made upon the
players or singers produces a faulty effect.
In all these respects Thomas is a superior direo-
ior.
*
#
*
There are some directors to-day occupying in-
'erior positions that fully combine the qualities of
excellent leadership.
Here is, for instance, Neyer, the director at the
Standard Theatre.
I observed him closely the other evening at a
performance of Solomon's operetta, "Claude Du-
val."
He is exact, firm, and sympathetic in his conduct-
ing, and fully understands his duties.
By the way, Will Carlton, the baritone, is sing-
ing Claude.
It is a good thing that he has decided upon a
lucrative position in light opera. He has been
overestimated immensely, and this has brought
him to a chronic state of self-conceit.
The other day, in bright daylight, I saw Carlton
in Union Square, near Broadway, actually exam-
ing his rather irregular features with the aid of a
pocket-mirror.
I heard him attempt William Tell in Italian
opera some years ago, and felt sorry that he did
not understand the quality of his voice and his
histrionic powers better than to attempt such a
role.
Even in Claude Duval he should improve upon
his acting, especially when Riley, a consummate
actor, is on the stage with him.
In the one important matter of enunciation,
Carlton is very deficient. Without a libretto he
cannot be understood, although he sings an Eng-
lish text.
It is not pleasant for me to mention all this to
you, but the daily press has been sugar-coating
him so extensively that I was induced to hear
him, and I thought this was a good opportunity to
say what I thought.
Baritones are often decidedly conceited.
Tagliapietra, a baritone known the world over,
and an artist of fine qualities, does not find any
room in his mind for conceit.
He is a modest and retiring gentleman who
never tells you all of his great successes, although
he has had many.
* * *
As I have just mentioned the daily press, I must
refer to an incident that has recently taken place
here.
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
April 20th, 1882.
THE MUSICAL CRITIC AND TRADE REVIEW.
281
A gifted young lady, Miss Lillian Russell, who
Bazzini, Ponchielli and Dominiceti, has been a
great success at Teatro Apollo.
made a reputation at the Bijou Theatre in Audran's
When this manuscript was discovered it was
"Snake Charmer," and who has a bright future in
sent by Madame Lucca, the publisher, to the
comic opera, left the city a few days ago in ac-
LONDON.
above mentioned gentlemen to ascertain whether
LONDON, March 29.
cordance with the peremptory order of her phy- r
or not it was really the work of Donizetti, and if
T^HE establishment of the Royal College, al- so, if it could be produced.
sician.
J_ though not imminent, is the principal topic of They answered that it was the work of Doni-
Her health was in jeopardy, as she had been com- conversation in the musical world of London.
zetti, and could be arranged for production, and
pletely overworked.
A family of princes have delivered very well accepted the task of arranging it. The work
No notice would have been taken of this had written addresses in furtherance of the scheme seems to have been very well done, for those
not several disreputable scandal-monger papers and have succeeded, to the extent of $300,000, in parts that were written by them, such as the pre-
procuring donations for the erection of buildings
immediately published columns about the young and the support of the early years of the institu- ludes to the acts and a tenor air and some other
parts, were the things most vociferously encored.
lady, implicating her in peccadilloes that are not tion.
Such is the effect of combining ancient inspira-
Many less important people have also tried to tion and modern learning.
creditable to any person.
The respectable press did not mention the shed some light upon this project, but as they
LONDON, March 30.
were usually selected because of their social rather
event, as there was no basis for the scandalous than their artistic position, it is not to be supposed
Mr. Gye has just issued his prospectus.
reports.
The operas to be produced are Boito's "Mefisto-
that they have succeeded in making it any clearer.
Among these gentlemen the prevailing idea fele," Bizet's "Carmen," neither of which has
Artists can only be injured when their names
are inserted in certain journals; just as artists can seems to be that it is the intention to erect a man- been given at Covent Garden.
Besides these two new operas, M. Lenepveu's
for turning out musicians in much the
be benefited when respected and respectable news- ufactory
same way that any other commodity is produced. "Velleda," and M. Massenet's "Herodiade," will
papers make them the subjects of comment.
However, as they were liberal in their donations be produced.
* * *
The principal prime-donne will be Mesdames
it does not matter very much what their ideas are
Patti, Albani, Sembrich, Lucca, and Trebelli; and
For this reason, I cannot understand Fred. Rull- about the study of music.
The Duke of Edinburgh in his speech expressed besides these great stars, Mesdames Fursch Madier,
man, for instance.
a hope that "our American cousins" will also be Valleria, and Miles. Velmi, Guercia, Sonnino, and
He is supposed to be a very practical, experi- willing to donate money and also to give the new Ghiotti are engaged, and are all very good.
The tenors will be Nicolini (or the man who
enced manager. He is said to have made money college their support.
Whether this hope of H R. H. will be realized howls), Mierzwinsky, Frapolli, Vergnetand others.
in the course ot his managerial career. He is at
The baritones and basses will include Cotogni, De
present managing Mile. Rossini, the young lady depends much, I apprehend, upon the kind of in- Reske, Silvestri, I'ondolfini (the greatest living
struction that shall be given and the opportu-
who made such sudden and well-deserved suc- nities that may be afforded for the pursuit of the baritone), and others. The conductors will be
Bevignani and Dupont.
AMERIOUS.
cesses in "Aida," "Les Huguenots," "Ernani," highest branches of the art.
London is, no doubt, in performances, the most
and other operas at the Academy of Music.
Now he does not permit the daily newspaper musically favored city in the world, and thig fact
PHILADELPHIA.
might induce many American students to avail
men to interview Rossini.
PHILADELPHIA, April 1.
themselves of this new college, provided that they
He should know that her name is unknown here could have the same opportunities for competing
INCE our last communication so many mo-
mentous musical events have transpired that
to fame. The musical world would like to know for scholarship and prizes that might be afforded
to native students. Otherwise, it seems fair to pre- we are in a quandary where to begin our chroni-
who she is.
sume that they will continue to seek their educa- cle. We will resolve the doubt by mentioning
Interviews would amount practically to free ad- tion in Continental schools.
them in order of time, and let the question of
vertising, and I do not believe that any kind of
meritorious precedence be developed in the course
CABL ROSA
paid advertising is half so remunerative as printed has finished a season of English opera at Her of our summary.
The first was the Star Course, seventh subscrip-
interviews.
Majesty's Theatre, which, in some respects, has
tion night,
Wonder who she is? Has she been kept in the been highly successful.
GRAND OAKY CONCERT,
The best performance seems to hav« been Wag-
background by force of bad management? Her
ner's Tannhaiiser.
Monday, March 20, at the Academy of Music, Mr.
talents are of an unusual high order and she is
Madame Valleria, in the character of Elizabeth, T. B. Pugh, manager. Miss Annie Louise Cary,
young.
added another triumph to her list. Especially prima donna contralto; Mme. Julia Rive-King,
At least, younger than Fred, and as she depends in the prayer in the last act, which, both vocally pianoforte; Miss Emma S. Howe, soprano; Mr.
upon his advice he should not try to swim against and dramatically, suits her. She was enthusias- Ch. Fritsch, tenor; Miss Josie Maree, accompan-
tically cheered.
ist, and the Germania orchestra, Wm. Stoll, jr.,
the stream and thereby hurt her prospects.
The conducting of Mr. Randegger during this musical director.
Patti came here with a firm determination not season has proved him to be one of the best, if not
Of course, there was no end of a crowd, as there
to be interviewed. But how she did interview the best, of our London leaders. In the overture always is for whatever Mr. Pugh announces and
to Tannhaiiser, he displayed intelligence and fire manages. Moreover, Miss Cary is exceedingly
before she left—two or three columns at a time!
not exceeded by Herr Richter himself, the chosen popular here, and Philadelphia is the scene of
* * *
conductor of Wagner.
Mme. Rive-King's early triumphs.
Operatic prospects for next season are good,
As yet the real season has not begun, but prom- The novelty of the programme was the piano-
ises
to
be
the
most
interesting
in
musical
perform-
and notwithstanding Max Strakosch's talk that he
forte concerto, by Saint-Saens, in which some
will probably enter the dramatic field, I still be- ances that we have had for many years. We shall effective writing was vigorously played by Mme.
have two companies of German artists in opera, Rive-King. The solo passages are frequently of
lieve he will adhere to his first love, and give us a and the Richter, Philharmonic, and other concerts
great difficulty, but were overcome by the excep-
few weeks of opera here next winter.
innumerable.
tional powers of the executant.
To offset these attractions, Mr. Gye has engaged
At least, I hope so.
NICHTSNUTZ.
Miss Cary fully sustained her reputation as the
a stronger troupe than ever, and evidently intends greatest contralto in America, and for aught we
to
maintain
the
supremacy
of
Italian
opera,
if
pos-
Professor Donndorf, Stuttgart, has just com-
know to the contrary, the greatest anywhere.
pleted the clay model of the principal figure for sible.
The large audience manifested their appreciation
What
Col.
Mapleson
intends
doing
has
not
been
the Bach Monument, to be erected at Eisenach.
by enthusiastic encores. However, as we have be-
disclosed,
but
he
will
probably
promise
much
and
fore remarked, Philadelphia audiences encore
The grand old master is represented in the dress
do
little,
as
usual.
everything, even Mr. Fritsch.
of the period, with long waistcoat and knee-
A VERY INTERESTING QUARREL
breeches. His left arm is resting lightly on a
THE MENDELSSOHN CLTJB
music-stand, while in his hands he holds a pencil is in progress between Mr. John Boosey, the well-
and a sheet of paper. It is said that the monu- known publisher and manager of the "Ballad Con- gave its second subscription concert on March 21,
ment will be inaugurated before the date orig- certs," and Mr. Louis Engel, the critic of a soci- assisted by M. M. Warner, Richard Zockwer,
inally selected, namely, the composer's 200th ety journal called The World.
George F. Bishop, anft Rendolph Hennig.
birthday, in 1885.
The chorus numbers about forty singers. Mr.
Mr. Boosey published a card in the programme
It is reported that Strakosch has engaged Mme. of the ballad concerts, asserting that the critic was W. W. Gilchrist, the conductor, doesn't tolerate
Borghi-Mamo, and Tamagno and Castelinary, the not unbiased, and giving very strong reasons for any dead wood, and every member of the chorus
basso, for a tour in the United States next season. the assertion. Mr. Engel in a succeeding number knows how to sing intelligently, and does sing.
We are so accustomed to see large choruses of two
of The World merely denied everything.
hundred or so, of which only a small proportion
Now,
Mr.
Boosey
comes
out
with
another
sup-
COL. MAPLESON'S SUMMER DIVERSIONS.
plement to the programme of his concerts, saying sing, that a new auditor is always astonished at
HE London Figaro of April 1 says:
that he is willing to take his oath as to the truth of the remarkable volume of sound, considering
the number of voices in the Mendelssohn chorus.
his statement, and as to furnishing proof.
'Mr. J. H. Mapleson will, of course, give no Ital- Where this quarrel will end does not appear;
Gounod's "Nazareth," arranged as a chorus, and
ian operatic performance in London this year, and but it is generally admitted that Mr. Boosey has with a four-hand accompaniment, by Mr. W. W.
he will devote the summer to preparations for the the advantage. In fact, the high reputation of Gilchrist, was sung with uncommon vigor, and re-
American season next autumn, which he will direct
an enthusiastic and merited encore.
for the Royal Italian Opera Company (Limited). I Mr. Boosey placed him at the beginning at an ad- ceived
"Selections from an Easter Idyl," in part
am told that Mr. J. H. Mapleson expects during the vantage over a musical critic whose reputation has
season to occasionally look in at Covent Garden to always been rather bad, and whose opinions were second, was in Mr. W. W. Gilchrist'shappiest vein.
see how his colleague is getting on, but will employ generally supposed to be expressed otherwise than It did not, however, meet with the warm recep-
tion his setting of Gounod's vocal efforts obtained,
most of his time in drilling the volunteers and in honestly.
shooting peanuts from the windows of the Junior
The news comes from Rome that 4 *il Duca although a piece of refined musical work of great
Carlton Club."
D'Alba," of Donizetti, the manuscript of which technical beauty. In fact, for the higher class of
Who will hereafter say that the Colonel's lot was but lately discovered, and which has been ar- musical work there is need of some degree of
ranged for publication and representation by knowledge or power of appreciation on the part
ia not a happy one ?
STAFF CORRESPONDENCE
S
T

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