Music Trade Review

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VOL. V.
NEW YORK, DECEMBER 5TH TO DECEMBER 20TH, 1881.
No. 9.
" Well, the dress she wears in her character of were unusually pungent. Surrounded by a party
the French opera singer was made in Paris for my of friends, he was asked the time when it wanted
role of Djenzma r and I had only one day's notice in only five minutes of the hour.
till the hour arrives," said Crosby with
RIVALRY OF SELINA DOLARO AND LILLIAN which to have nn dress made. It is pretty to be the "Wait
intention
of amusing his guests with the antics
sure,
but
the
snakes
on
it
are
curled
up
in
a
RUSSELL.
rather conventional way, I think, and I shall soon of his watch, " and see number twelve disappear
like lightning and number one pop into its place.
Mras DOLARO CHARGED WITH APPROPRIATING THE have something more artistic."
" Don't you think the libretto of 'The Snake It's a big show. No charge for admission. Child-
DRESS AND MUSIC OF MISS RUSSELL'S ROLE
ren half-price."
Charmer' could be greatly improved?"
AND CHANGING THE TITLE OF THE
" I do and many changes have been made for The performance came off as announced and
OPERETTE.
future performances. That reminds me of a one o'clock was announced on the wafer-like watch,
just then a most extraordinary occurence hap-
j E story of Miss Dolaro's whim in having the story. In my part were certain passages in the but
in which the watch played the leading part.
X. name of "The Snake Charmer" changed by libretto that I did not like to recite. They were pened
The back of the timepiece opened automatically
the addition of "The Great Mogul," was told in full of slang. My mother changed them and I and
from it issued a tiny platform on which were
the last number of THE MUSICAL CRITIC AND TRADE went on the stage at rehearsal with the corrected arrayed
miniature figures of the twelve Apostles
REVIEW. It now appears that the change was score in my hand."
who solemnly recited the Lord's Prayer and the
dictated by Miss Dolaro's natural desire to play " ' See how I have had my part changed,' I said Episcopal
Burial Service.
the leading part or at least to have the to several members of the company who were pre-
credit of doing so, whereas the interest of the sent. ' I suppose the libretto was written by Crosby turned pale as a sheet, but calmly re-
operette really centres in the pretty Snake some newspaper man who couldn't write any- marked that the blanked thing was more interest-
Charmer. Miss Dolaro, it seems, has also taken thing but slang.' Just then, somebody whispered ing than the majority of watches. He hadn't
for her part, music which belonged to her fair in my ear, 'For heaven's sake be quiet. LeanderP. described all its good qualities for fear his guests
rival, Miss Lillian Russell. This has since been Richardson, the author of the libretto, is sitting would think he was telling them a fish story.
remedied and the Snake Charmer's song at the close over there and he has heard everything you have Then the figures, like Marionettes, executed a
of the first act and the finale, which was originally said.' Well, I felt like sinking through the floor double-shuffle without making & faux pas, and dis-
written for the title role, have been rightfully from mortification, but it was my honest opinion appeared quickly in the recesses of the watch.
The guests applauded and voted the show a success.
given to Miss Russell. About a fortnight ago and out it came."
the owners of the operette compelled the manage- '' How long will you sing in ' The Snake Crosby went home with a melancholy air, won-
dering whether the watch was bewitched, or
ment to return to the name originally given to it Charmer?'"
" As long as it runs at the Bijou, which will whether the bitters possessed some unusual quality.
by Audran.
He tells the story to his most intimate friends under
A reporter of THE MUSICAL CRITIC AND TRADE probably be while its present success continues.
pledge of secrecy, but when theya.sk for the names
REVIEW called on Miss Dolaro recently at the Then the company is going to New Orleans. 1
who witnessed this remarkable occur-
Bijou Theatre after a performance and requested have been asked to accompany it, but would pre- of his guests
he says he cannot recall them. Crosby
her version of the change of name in the operette. fer to remain in New York. I dislike traveling. rence,
noticed such an erruption on the part of his
" I am not responsible for it," she said emphati- Mr. McCaull will bring out either the 'Pirates,' never
watch
before, simply because he has not sat up
the
'
Mascotte,'
or
'
Olivette,'
and
I
can
play
Mabel
cally. " The piece was originally named by the
until
one
o'clock in the morning for five years past.
or
the
leading
roles
in
the
other
operettes
if
I
author, • The Snake Charmer or The Great Mogul,'
As he has kept very reputable hours since then he
and I had nothing to do with the matter. As to remain."
tell whether or not his watch is accustomed
my being jealous or envious of Miss Russell, that's Miss Russell is a Western girl and comes of a cannot
behave in such a disre2>utable manner at that
absurd. I don't fear comparison with any one in musical family. At the age of seven she played to
my line. Besides, I play the character of the the piano with remarkable facility for a child and unseemly hour.
Prince. It might be different if Miss Russell and gave some wonderful imitations in Chicago when
BUFFOO~NERY7~
I were both playing female parts. There is, how- the McCallisters were giving spiritualistic seances T)UCK often contains excellent cartoons expos-
ever, one part of the piece in which I appear as there. At twelve years her proficiency on the XT ing the weaknesses of institutions and in-
the female French opera singer, you know, and violin led her parents to build many hopes on this
In its sphere it has done good and
sing a French song, but I am not jealous of Miss particular talent. After appearing in private dividuals.
will continue to do so. It should re-
musicales in Chicago she sang in the chorus of probably
Russell on that account by any means."
however, strictly within its sphere and not
Evangeline troupe in Brooklyn and then main,
The Snake Charmer was found at home by the Rico's
accept contributions which deteriorate its character.
went
on
the
road.
Her
first
New
York
experience
reporter. She is a prepossessing blonde, of hand- was the singing of ballads at Tony Pastor's Theatre, In one of its late issues, Puck contains a heavy
some figure and winning manners. Her wrists but they were above the variety order.
article, signed by one Ernest Harvier, who
were encircled with golden sei-pents and a ser-
attemps to satirize the " Symphonie Fantastique"
pent's head adorned a costly finger ring. Bril- Miss Russell is under contract to Mr. Pastor by Berlioz, recently performed here under the
liant rubies sparkled in her ears. She entered from November 1 to April 1, 1882. While enjoy- direction of Dr. Damrosch.
the room with a sinuous grace that suggested the ing a performance pi " The Mascotte" at the Bijou People who know nothing whatever about
wonderful power attributed by the chorus to the Opera House Mr. McCaull espied her and re- music should make it a rule to keep still on the
quested her to sing the role of Djemma. Mr. Pastor subject. Unless they make this rule paramount
*' charm of her eyes."
telegraphed for permission which was at once they will soon discover that their utterances sub-
" I don't want to say anything against Miss was
and he has since generously promised to
Dolaro," replied Miss Russell to the reporter's accorded
them to lively ridicule, which to say the least
all his contract rights should she desire to ject
question, " but it is very natural that she should waive
is accompanied by unpleasant sensations. This
continue
in
her
present
lucrative
position.
want her part to appear in the title of the operette.
Ernest Harvier attempts to satirize the work of
I was very much surprised when I heard that the
Berlioz and his effort is so very puerile that it
CROSBY'S WATCH.
Dame was to be changed, for the original title was
simply reacts upon himself and makes him ridicu-
simply'The Snake Charmer.' However, it has /"CHARLES A. CROSBY, the right-hand man of lous in the eyes of a musician.
been made all right this last week and the piece \J Pond & Bachert, concert managers at the No one on the wide earth can be blamed be-
has now its correct title."
Everett House, carries a wonderful watch. It was cause this Harvier never received a musical educa-
"Miss Dolaro has been very kind to me, but I given to him by Mrs. Kellogg, the mother of Clara tion. That being the case, he is thoroughly in-
must say that she has appropriated some of my Louise Kellogg, to whom it was presented in Eu- competent to understand a simple symphony of
music in order to make her part more effective. I rope. The watch was found on the dead body of Haydn, much less a highly developed composition
understand she has bought out a large interest in a soldier in Mexico and is supposed to be several like Berlioz's Symphonie. A shoemaker should
the operette from Mr. Defossez and as she is a sort hundred years old. It is half as thick as an or- stick to his last.
of business manageress of the company, she has dinary watch, but contains the same mechanism
something to say, of course, about the music. apparently as Geneva timepieces. The face is IT is stated that Frau Cosima, the daughter of
You know what a pretty song I have at the close traversed by three hands: one marks the min- Liszt, the former wife of Von Biilovv, the present
of the first act—the Snake Charmer's song. Well, ute, another the second and a third the day of the wife of Richard Wagner and the future wife of —,
Miss Dolaro takes a part of the song herself and month. The hour is indicated by a number that often sheds tears when the artists rehearse selec-
sings verses to which I am entitled. She appro- appears in a square where the figure twelve is tions from Wagner's "Parsifal." If this informa-
priates my music in several other instances. The found in orthodox watches. On the stroke of the tion reaches the notion dealers of Bayrouth, where
the opera will be given next spring, it will un-
finale of the operette belongs to me, too, but Miss hour the number slips into place like a flash.
Dolaro sings it. I have been told, however, that These features of Crosby's watch are simply doubtedly induce them to lay in a large supply of
all my music will be given to me next week. You curious, but it has other features that make it a handkerchiefs. If the wife of the composer cries
see when I get an encore for the Snake Charmer s marvelous specimen of its kind. That is if at the rehearsal of the opera, what will the audi-
fiong, Miss Dolaro shares it with me, and woman- Crosby is a trustworthy witness, and everybody ence do when the performance takes place ?
like I don't want to share what belongs to me says he is not only a good fellow, but that he has Anton Rubinstein works are in great demand,
alone."
never told a lie since he wore pinafores.
according to the reports of his publishers. His
" Has Miss Dolaro done any other naughty The other night, at the Everett House, Crosby piano works are now among the most necessary
was drinking a soda-cocktail in which the bitters for a player's repertoire.
things?"
THE SNAKE CHARMER.