Music Trade Review

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE
mm
With which is incorporated THE MUSIC TRADE JOURNAL.
NEW YORK, JUNE
VOL. IV.
20TH,
1S81.
No. 10
than twenty performers, and for the first time gave a foretaste of the gems of
the opera in the overture called " Toccata," which had five parts.
BY S. A. DOREMtlS.
That the theatres attached to palaces and private mansions were sumptu
ous in the extreme, we may not doubt when we recall that " The Triumph
T TNDER the soft skies of Italy, more than two hundred years ago, taste of Julius Caesar," by the artist Mantegua, whose faded grandeur forms a
l_J and talent were devising sumptuous festivities to commemorate the relic of Hampton Court, once adorned the exquisite theatre of the Duke of
brilliant bridal of Marie, a scion of the illustrious house of the Medici, and Mantua. But public theatres were now demanded, and in 1671 one was
the gallant hero of Navarre, who ruled the fair domain of France as Henry erected in Rome called "II Torre di Nona," where singers, concealed behind
IV. The stately bride had listened all her life to the bewitching melodies the scenes, had wooden figures to personate them, which in 1682 were
for which Italy was ever famous, and now a novel entertainment combining replaced by puppets of wax, modelled by Girello. Soon wondrous scenic
the drama and music must be presented in her honor, to the courtly assem- effect was produced to render a performance unrivalled, and even dancing
blage, who with the Pope's legate, Cardinal Aldobrandini, had come to wed added its meretricious charms. The fame of the opera of "Berenice" by
her by proxy, and pay her honor as a Queen of France. The services of the Domenico Freschi, performed at Padua in 1680, comes to us as a specimen
poet Guilio Caccini were enlisted, "whose merit," says a contemporary, of the taste of the period. Scenes representing the chase in royal forests,
" was known all over the world," and with the aid of the gifted musician public squares and triumphal arches arose as if by magic, while the eye was
Jacopo Veri, famed as composer, performer and vocalist, the unique per- dazzled with gorgeous state apartments, sacred temples and pavilions. The
formance of the opera " Eurydice," first won the applause of a court. All chorus of one hundred maidens, and ranks of soldiers, and armed horsemen
Sat entraced when Peri sang " with wonderful art unknown before," the were a fitting introduction to the grand triumphal procession of Berenice
touching story of Orphee's loss. Francesco Ran, a nobleman of Arezzo, •where lions were led amid the spoils of war.
represented Aminlo, amid the chorus of Dryads, and distinguished artists
At this period Pistocchi, a renowned musician, who composed operas
behind the scenes accompanied them with a limited orchestra, numbering a highly esteemed, decided to open a school in Bologna, to train vocalists for
harpsichord, viol, large guitar and lute.
the stage. He had been gifted with a marvellous voice, but lost it through
And thus on the 5th of October, 1600, was brilliantly inaugurated the dissipation. Plunged from the pinnacle of fame to the depths of poverty,
most popular diversion the world of culture has ever known, making this he secured some humble employment as a copyist of music. Thus studying
period a memorable era to the musical public. Yet few who listen to the the rules which guided the science of music, he carefully applied them, and
exquisite cavatinas, or the melting harmonies which now ring their melodi- at last was rewarded for his diligence by the recovery of his voice. After a
ous ^changes, know from what a simple beginning the modern opera was life of vicissitude, he ended his days in a convent in Bologna, and giving the
perfected.
benefit of his discoveries to youthful students in the art of music, he per-
The germ of this thought may be traced to the accomplished scholar and fected scholars whose fame was beyond all dispute.
poet Angelo Ambrogini, famous under his classic name Politiano. He will
The unscrupulous, but cultured Christina, Queen of Sweden, became
be remembered as the friend of Lorenzo the Magnificent, who felt honored during her residence in Rome, enamored with the opera, and enthusiastic-
in securing his services as perceptor for his sons, the younger of whom was ally encouraged Alessandro Scarlati and other poets whose dramas were set
destined to a career remarkable for its religious convulsions, but under to music. Thus patronized by queens and princes, composers vied rapidly
whose auspices art and learning flourished.
with each other, and in one hundred years, six hundred and fifty-eight operas
Declamation formed a prominent feature in the magnificent entertain- testified to the popularity of this charming diversion. Looking far back
ments of the Italians, and nothing so took the lovers of classical learning by to these years when music was struggling to express the most powerful
storm as the tragedy of " Orfeo," by Politiano, which in revival of the Greek emotions of the human heart, we dwell with a grateful remembrance on thia
drama, was given before the court of Mantua in 1483.. Orpheus was per- beautiful dawn of the opera, ushering in such a flood of song in our own
sonated by Baccio Ugolino, a famous Improvisatore of the day, who told his time, and earnestly ejaculate: "May its day never decline ! "
woes to the accompaniment of a lyre, while a harmonious chorus chanted the
death of Eurydice.
SIB. MAPLESON IN LONDON.
Rival claimants for this inspiration are not wanting. Cardinal Riario is
even said to have encouraged tragedies which were recited and sung as early "OEFORE the close of the late Mapleson opera season in this city, it was
as 1480. Venice also boasts of a charming representation before Henry III | > rumored that the present Spring season in London would probably be
of France, who in 1574 passed through the city on his return from Polond. the last campaign of that famous impresario in the English capital. Various
The poet Alfonso della Viola, assisted by the musician Zarlino, succeeded in circumstances, now indicate that the rumor will prove to be correct, and by
an attractive combination, which gave promise of the musical treats in a dis- natural sequence the New York public will look with interest to see what is
tant future. Lovers of music will, however, enshrine in their memory, the to be the future course of Mr. Mapleson's management in this country.
names of three noblemen, Giovanni Bardi, Pietro Strozzi, and Jacopo Corfi, Certainly no manager was ever treated with more generous forbearance, alike
who first stimulated the popular poet Ottavio Rinuccini, and the composer by the public, the press, and the artists, than Mr. Mapleson. His failures
and vocalist Peri, to attempt a finished production of verse and song. and his substitutions, his broken promises and his unfortunate methods,
" Dafne " was the result, which when performed at the mansion of Jacopo have been passed by with silent shrugs or very moderate complaints, but it
Corfi, in 1597, created such a profound sensation that the authors quickly would seem that this conditions of things is not likely to continue much
produced " Eurydice," to which reference has been made, and "Ariana." longer. In advance of the London season, which was opened on the 7th of
Rome caught the inspiration, and musical dramas became the fashion for May, a preliminary announcement was made of the engagement of several
private entertainments. " II Guico della Gieca," exhibited in honor of Car- prominent artists, notably Mme. Gerster and Signor Campanini, though it
dinal Monte and Archduke Ferdinand, won the verdict that never had such was perfectly well known that both were to remain in this country to sing at
wonderful applause been excited, especially when the exquisite tones of the Musical Festival and to fulfill other engagements. The London public,
Signora Archilci drew tears from the audience.
however, found out on the arrival of the troupe in England that, with a few
But this enchanting and novel entertainment was not to be monopolized exceptions, it was composed of decidedly ordinary material, that the princi-
by the rich and the great, for the gay inhabitants of Rome, who looked for- pal attractions were conspicuous by their absence, and that the paucity of
ward to the Carnival as the grand annual amusement of the land, determined the company and its limited repertoire by no means justified the magnilo-
in 1606 to introduce the popular feature of the day. A moveable stage was quent promises of the prospectus. But it is now pretty well known on both
readily improvised, and as it drove through the crowded streets, a vast sides of the Atlantic that Mr. Mapleson is nothing if not a manager of
throng from four until midnight followed the performers, while five voices promises, and his grand, comprehensive schemes, which read well, will
and five instruments discoursed in melting strains of the griefs and joys of hardly again attract as much attention as before. In place of such eminent
lyric artists as were promised, the principal singers who are brought forward
brave heroes, and fair heroines.
The city of Bologna far famed for its university and scholarly attain- at Her Majesty's Theatre are Mile. Gabbi, whose professional reputation
ments, in 1616 announced a performance of Rinuccini's " Eurydice," which rests on the slender foundation of a success in Havana, and who does not
drew so great a crowd that an eye-witness declared '' never was seen such a seem to have met with much favor; Mme. di Murska, who long ago passed
concourse and such enthusiasm " since the days of the wicked and extrava- into the list of the ghosts of opera singers; Mile. Dotti, who, under an
gant Emperor Vitellius Caesar, who lulled to rest the hatred of the populace American name, (Mrs. Swift,) has been received with silent wonder both in
New York and London, together with Runcio and Ravelli as tenors. Now,
with his gladiatorial combats and luxurious public games.
The public taste was gratified with a new sensation when in 1649 an this seems decidedly thin in view of the number of available artists of pro-
Aria was composed for the first time in the opera of " Giasone," arranged by nounced merit, and if the London press and public submit to it they are
Cavalle. Taking for his text the sketch of Count Ugolino by Dante, he either to be commended for their good nature or condemmed for their in-
sought to portray the touching story in heart-searching tones to the accom- difference to what is best in musical art.
paniment of the viol. The " Lamentations of Jeremiah " furnished him with
The failure of the scheme to build a new opera house on the Thames
an equally pathetic text, and the success of these exquisite melodies led embankment, which is definitely announced, (it having been decided to
Giulio Caccini Romano to compose passages suitable for the marvellous make a hotel of the structure,) is another unfortunate circumstance in the
voice of his daughter.
business management of the impresario, but perhaps the most serious ob-
The difficulty in producing a musical drama designed for distinguished stacle in the way of his future success is his inability to preserve harmonious
soloists was one great reason for the slow progress made in this charming relations with his artists. Certain peculiarities of temperament, which are
feature of the opera, for as the success depended almost entirely on the abnormally developed, and which are too well known to require further
artists, the effect was lost unless the original vocalists were present.
mention, have, it is said, made it impossible for some of the most valuable
Genius, now striving for perfection, increased the orchestra to more performers to remain with him. It was an open secret here last season that
THE DAWN OF THE OPEEA.