Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
4
VOL. V.
NEW YOEK, MAY 5TH, 1882.
No. 19
rom these names one or two could have been ind singing, especially the former, which is at
placed on the programmes without endangering times awkward and unnatural.
the artistic grouping.
When the majority of vocal artists start out,
Now let us see how the matter stands. Theo- hey conclude that grand opera is their ultimate
dore Thomas has a great predeliction for Wagner, ?oal, but the great majority are disappointed.
nd gives him great prominence, devoting the It does not often happen—at least, here—that
.vhole of the Wednesday afternoon concert to this singers from the comic or light opera stage are
jomposer, and also a chorus from the "Meister- advanced to the grand opera, as Materna, for in-
dnger" on Saturday afternoon.
stance, was.
The other living composers have hardly any
Generally, the reverse happens herA.
opportunity to be heard. Liszt has his Dante Even as competent an artist as Lizzie Annan-
Symphony, Rubinstein is put down for a song dale, who received a careful training from Larn-
from his opera, "Der Damon," and Bazzini's perti, in Milan, and who has a good and well-
T T N I O N SQUABE is the best locality to find 'King Lear Overture," and a romanza by Verdi, trained voice, was compelled to come down, and
K^J all the musical people in the city you do 'rom his "Un Ballo in Maschera," complete the is now singing in one of the most unmusical
organizations on earth, the Emma Abbott Com-
not wish to see, and the last place to find those ist of compositions of living composers.
Handel, whom every one has heard, and whose pany.
you are looking for. The latter are exceedingly
style and musical thought are familiar, is repre- I think Wetherell was lucky to get one good
difficult to locate.
When you seek for them in their accustomed sented by the "Utrecht Jubilate," and a special artist to assist his wife.
The Peakes Brothers formerly sang in Grand
haunts, you ascertain that they are either in night is devoted to his "Israel in Egypt."
I do not by any means consider this fair. Opera. If I am not mistaken, they belonged to
Canada or on their way to California.
This is due to the nature of the vocation they There may be some reason for it that can be at- .he Parepa-Rosa Company. They now sing in the
follow. A musical artist must be "on the fly" all tributed to the chorus work. Probably the cho- "Mascotte" and similar operas. I can instance
the time, unless he or she has very permanent en- ruses are familiar with these works. I say proba- many other examples similar to the above, but
bly. I do not particularly know; yet it seems to they are sufficient to illustrate my point.
gagements.
There is S. B. Mills, for instance. He has a me that the time could be devoted to some more My own impression is, that very often one comes
across a singer in opera bouffe who would be pref-
great deal to do in the city. His pupils are modern works with equal results at least.
rable to others singing in grand opera.
numerous, and they almost prevent him from par-
***
Some are of no consequence in either.
ticipating in any concerts.
S. B. is getting very stout, looking well, and en- I noticed great crowds of people at the Festival I do not care to be rude, but duty compels
joying the good things of this life. His brother, office to procure seats, and the ticket speculators me to tell you that Miss Blanche Roosevelt cannot
W. F., is also apparently in excellent condition. I have been out in full force. They have secured a ven sing the music in the "Pirates of Penzance"
would like to know why he does not drop in the large number of tickets, and when the little pre- —that is, sing it correctly and in tune.
miums are added to each ticket, the aggregate will How could she sing in grand opera!
Hotel Liszt any more?
amount to a neat profit.
She could not. And then, when she condescended
Probably he can answer; I cannot. Such a
"Live and let live" is an axiom that should be to sing in the "Pirates," she made it appear as if
suggestive name should attract pianists.
But these gentlemen are always to be found. cultivated more generally. As long as the law she was favoring Sullivan's score; but she did
The itinerant artist who has engagements is the permits these gentlemen to secure licenses and anything but favor it,—she spoiled it.
So it goes in the musical werld. Artists often
one you cannot find. Mme. Carreno is an exam- attend to their business, no one can blame them
make the greatest errors of judgment regarding
ple. You occasionally see her on the Square, but for "tending strictly to business."
when you look for her she is gone. "Oh, out As Sam'I of Posen says, "a hellef a dollar" their proper spheres. How often we find them
is a nice profit on each ticket, and they will filling roles and undertaking tasks for which they
West," is the answer.
are not at all adapted.
She is constantly in demand, being by nature at least make that.
and culture a remarkably fine artist. There are Dead heads are excluded. How many artists will A soloist does not necessarily make a competent
dash, spirit, animation, expression, and intelli- pine and suffer excruciating pain when they ascer- quartette player. Ole Bull could not do justice
gence in her performances, and all this makes tain positively that this rule will be maintained. Al to a quartette, and I know Wilhelmj was too much
her an interesting personage on the concert stage. of them get tickets free, and now when the great for an ordinary quartette.
I am under the impression that Nahan and Sam
I believe she is an ardent admirer of Ruben- event takes place they will b« left two resources
Franko would make truly excellent quartette
stein's piano compositions; I hope I am not mis- Either pay or stay away.
players, while in solo they occupy a field already
taken. I know she performs some of his mor- What will they do?
There will be other musical events during the completely overcrowded, where opportunities are
ceaux.
week, and they can patronize them. I remember rare and success is always surrounded with the
* * *
I met Gus. Bothner, who has been attending to
There should be more of the Rubinstein cult in Hess's Acme Opera Company business, and h greatest difficulties.
Both are diligent students, with fine musical
this country. I am afraid that in his case it will told me that business would be good, notwith
instincts,
and should enter upon that sphere in
be a repetition of other experiences, namely, after standing the Festival. I believe so, too. Th
all of us are dead and gone his operas and grea company is said to be very much above the usua their profession that would ensure success.
works will be heard here.
grade of English Opera.
It is provoking, and makes one feel disposed to I see Adelaide Randall is the soprano. Adelaidi
Before closing, let me tell you that I overheard
give iip hoping ever to hear the works of the con- is, I believe, a Washington girl, and of excellen
the
following to-day:
temporaneous composers.
family. I remember when she first began to sing
"What is a May Festival?" asked a young man
in public how very bashful she was. But years of of Henry Wolfsohn, the manager of Joseffy.
I think myself that, in addition to the Wagne stage experience and a greater confidence in her
"Why," said Harry, "it is called a May Festival
compositions, one or two, or even three, of eithe abilities have made Adelaide Randall a most prom- because it may or may not take place."
of the great composers should have been repre ising artist for light opera.
Wolfsohn is always ready for such customers.
sented with great works on the programmes of thi
* *
Out in Chicago, I understand, he is going to give
May Music Festival.
#
them what he calls a "musical racket" this sum-
Montegriffo has also wedded his fortunes to mer. I hope he will succeed.
Just let me give you a few namea. There ar
Rubinstein, Saint-Saens, Brahms, Raff, Reineke light opera, as he is singing at Daly's in
NiCHTsmrrz.
Hiller, Tchaikowsky, Hoffman, Dvorak and others, "Girouette." He could improve both in acting
f