Music Trade Review

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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
tom-toms, Chinese fiddles, etc. The effect
must have been weird in the extreme; for
comb and paper instruments, bones, and
reed whistles, combined with xylophones,
tomtons, and an excruciating conception
with two strings which are rubbed with a
greasy bow, are hardly calculated to "have
charms to soothe the savage breast."
Equally exhilarating must have been the
entertainment which a Parisian millionaire
recently set on foot. He collected in the
"gay capital" all the street musicians he
could find, and picked out all the deformi-
ties and crippled retailers of harmony from
them. These, numbering nearly a hun-
dred, and having amongst them every con-
ceivable species of deformity—legless,
handless, fingerless, and eyeless men—
were collected in a room, with their vari-
ous instruments, and coached up to play in
harmony. But the average street musician
has not much more music in his soul than
the average tom-cat, so the result can
better be imagined than described.
Very often people in striving after the
novel put into practice some peculiar ideas
respecting concerts. Thus, not long ago a
concert was given in England by four per-
formers at an altitude of nearly 75 feet!
Some strong wires were stretched between
two tall trees in the grounds of a mil-
lionaire, and upon these wires a platform
was built. It contained a piano, and the
four performers sang and played. As it
was given at night, and the performers
were invisible, the effect was uncanny, be-
sides being pleasant.
Again, somebody recently built a huge
^Eolian harp, big enough to contain a
complete orchestra, and in it a series of
concerts was given, the effect of the in-
struments being magnified tenfold by the
resonant properties of their curious room,
whilst the music was rendered much more
sweet and harmonious by the vibrations of
the huge instrument itself.
Those people who are accustomed to hear
the errand-boy whistling the latest popular
song, with every other note out of tune,
would have difficulty in believing that
much harmony can be produced by the
human mouth. But, as a matter of fact, if
the whistlers can whistle well, and are
trained to take parts, an exceedingly
beautiful effect can be produced by a
whistling concert. The writer recently
had the opportunity of listening to such
an entertainment given by twenty-seven
blowers, and as every performer was a
thoroughly well-trained whistler and musi-
cian, the general effect of the various se-
lections which they blew was most pleas-
ing.
About the most curious concert which
has been given lately is one which took
place in Greece not very long ago. Arch-
aeologists dug up the hymn to Diana, to-
gether with the score, and then was sung
in the nineteenth century the pagan hymn
to a pagan goddess, to the same tune and
in the same language as those idolaters
used to s : .ng it to their goddess nearly
three thousand years ago.
H. D. Parsons.
NEW YORK DRAMATIC NOTES.
Although metropolitan theatre goers are
not favored this month with the visitation
of any dramatic stars of especial magnitude,
the various bills presented are mostly inter-
esting and in some cases highly merito-
rious.
"Under the Red Robe" at the Empire
can safely be stated to be the "best play in
town,"although as a play it is far from
being a perfect production.
To paraphrase a well known Shakespear-
ian saying, not "the play" but the roman-
tic play's "the thing," just now, and al-
though Stanley Weyman may not have
given us another "Prisoner of Zenda," he
has favored us with a play of merit, in
which Viola Allen has a part entirely
suited to her charming personality and one
in which her talents have good sway. J.
E. Dodson as Richelieu and William Fav-
ersham, who now occupies the position of
leading man in the Empire Stock Co., have
excellent parts and acquit themselves in
a most admirable manner. The elaborate
mounting of the play calls for the warmest
commendation.
At the Garden Theatre, Henry Miller is
drawing good houses in "Heartsease."
John Hare, one of the finest character act-
ors on the English stage, has scored a big
success in the well known Robertsonian
play "Caste," the star appearing in the role
of the joyous yet besotted Eccles.
Mr. Hare is at present appearing as Gold-
finch in Grundy's clever play "A Pair of
Spectacles" and is certainly affording all
lovers of the "legitimate" a great treat.
"Secret Service," at the Garrick, is a
good play, well acted; it is approaching
its 150th representation.
America's Queen of Light Opera, Lil-
lian Russell, is drawing large audiences to
the Casino. "Shamus O'Brien," at the
Broadway, appeals to the Celtic element
and also—by virtue of its scholarly score—
to the cultured musician.
America's most promising actress, Julia
Marlowe, supported by her talented hus-
band, Robert Taber, and a good company,
is presenting "Romeo and Juliet" at Wal-
lack's, and will cater to the "bonnie Scots"
on the eve of Feb. 15th in a new play, "For
Bonnie Prince Charlie."
' The Bijou, on Broadway, is being filled
nightly by America's famous comedienne,
May Irwin, in "Courted into Court."
"Straight from the Heart" at the
Academy appeals to lovers of the melodra-
matic. "The Girl from Paris" at the Her-
ald Square is an emphatic hit. Shake-
spearian repertorie, the comedy of "The
Magistrate," and the tuneful and pictur-
esque "Geisha" are crowding Daly's. The
charming Bret Harte effort' 'Sue," with
Annie Russell in the title role, will follow
"New York" at the American.
We notice -with extreme pleasure the
really excellent work of the beautiful Caro-
line Miskel Hoyt in Hoyt's "Contented
Woman " at the cosy Hoyt Theatre, on
Twenty-third street. Of the play itself
we cannot speak too highly, it is clever,
wholesome, and pithy, and the piece is
handsomely staged. The support is good
and Mrs. Hoyt gives great promise of
rapidly approaching distinction in the
dramatic world.
At the Lyceum, "The First Gentleman
of Europe" by Frances Hodgson Burnett
and George Fleming is playing to large au-
diences. The artistic environments of the
Lyceum naturally tend to highten the ef-
forts of players and playwright. The latest
production is of unusual interest and the
play is superbly mounted; Mary Mannering
Marie Shot well, Edward Morgan, James
K. Hackett, Charles Walcot and Felix Mor-
ris bear the honors of the production. The
costumes are of especial elegance, and in
correct keeping with the period of the
play—about 1785.
The performance opens with a new one
act comedietta, "When a Man's Married,"
which is invariably well received by the au-
dience.
At the Fifth Avenue Theatre those ster-
ling artists Joseph and E. M. Holland have
been appearing in a dramatization of F.
Marion Crawford's " Doctor Claudius." The
production is interesting and clever.
ROBERT COVERLEY.
Among recently published musical com-
positions that have attracted more than or-
dinary interest are a number by the above
composer. These works embrace vocal as
well as instrumental pieces, in both of
which forms he shows a talent that evinces
in a pre-eminent degree, originality and
fertility of invention. Music that inher-
ently combines these essentials cannot fail
to command genuine and lasting accept-
ance.
Of his latest songs may be cited "To you
and but to you," a romance for soprano or
tenor. "Maid of Castile," romance for
medium voice. "Sweet Dreams" for so-
prano or tenor; also for contralto or bass.
"Ask thine heart again" for soprano or ten-
or; also for contralto or bass. "Visions,"
a spinning-wheel song for soprano or tenor;
also for contralto or baritone. "Love's
Pleadings," for medium voice. "Love for
Love," pastoral ballad, soprano or tenor,
contralto or bass. "For Love's Sake," a
hammock lullaby, tenor or soprano, con-
tralto or baritone. "In a garden of roses,"
soprano or tenor. "To the Nightingale,"
for soprano. "Tell me, fair moon," for so-
prano or tenor, contralto or bass.
To the above should be added two duetts
for soprano and tenor which have gained
instant recognition through their musical
charm. "Love knows best" (with violin
obligato,) and "Love's Confession."
Mr. Coverley's latest contribution to pi-
ano literature is a book entitled "Ten
Sketches." This work contains ten com-
paratively short, well contrasted numbers,
graphically descriptive in character and not
difficult of execution.
These compositions are published by the
White-Smith Music Publishing Co.,Boston,
New York, Chicago. Are also for sale by
all music dealers.