Music Trade Review
Issue: 1882 Vol. 5 N. 12 - Page 6
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THE MUSICAL CRITIC AND TRADE REVIEW. .
172
STAFF CORRESPONDENCE
CHICAGO.
CHICAGO, January 10,1882.
HE Apollo Club concerts, with the assistance
of Mr. Theodore Thomas and an orchestra,
were the musical events of Christmas week.
On the first evening "The Damnation of Faust"
was given, with Miss Heckle, Mr. Knorr, Mr.
Clark, and Mr. McWade as soloists.
The chorus numbered about 150 singers.
The Apollo Club have sung this work two or
three times before; but on this occasion they
didn't have any rehearsal with the orchestra, and,
in consequence, there was a little uncertainty at
times that a more complete preparation would
have prevented. It is not quite right to expect a
chorus to do its best work, no matter how well
drilled they have been, without a thorough rehear-
sal with the orchestra.
Why this was not done, the management of the
Apollo Club alone can answer.
T
NOT UP TO THE STANDARD.
The instrumental part of the performance was
hardly up to the standard of last winter. Mr.
Thomas brought some seventeen men with him
from New York, and the rest of the band was
selected from our home players, and they had
hardly got used to working together.
However, their work was so much better than
that which we usually hear from our orchestra,
that we ought to be pleased with the performance.
Miss Heckle did not succeed very well with the
part of Marguerite. She was often out of tune.
TOO LIGHT FOB THE PABT.
Mr. Knorr, as Faust, was true to the score, but
unfortunately his voice was too light for the part.
This gentleman has been endowed by nature with
a fine tenor voice, of a sweet quality. His method
is a bad one, and prevents a free vocal delivery.
Hence, all he does seems contracted in utterance,
and the voice has a forced sound to it.
This can all be prevented by a different method
of vocal utterance, and keeping the throat free
from contraction, and allowing the large muscles
of the diaphragm to act as the motive power.
With a true method this gentleman wo aid be a
most agreeable and pleasing singer, for nature has
given him the vocal powers.
A GOOD "MEPHISTO."
Mr. Clark, the Mephisto, has a telling voice,
which is capable of much better work than he does
at present.
He sings the notes, but is unable to give a
melody with that flowing character of utterance
so necessary to a beautiful delivery.
The Italian style of sustained singing should be
his study for some time, until he had mastered the
secret.
Mr. Whitney's method of vocalization would
be a good example to follow.
"THE MESSIAH."
On the following evening this oratorio was given
with Miss Carpenter, Miss Johnson, Mr. Clark, the
tenor, and Mr. Grose as soloists. I was unfortu-
nately called out of town that day and was unable
to hear it.
The club was fortunate in having good audiences,
and opened their season with a marked sign of
appreciation from the musical people of this city.
PATTI.
This lady has been here in three performances
in Haverly's Theatre, presenting a mixture of con-
cert and so-called opera at each entertainment.
She gave the same selections that she sang in
New York, and an act of "Aida," "Faust," and
"Trovatore," respectively, at the different enter-
tainments.
On the first evening she did not have a large
house, for the high prices seemed to throw a cloud
even upon a Patti concert.
A POOB COMPANY.
The troupe is a very poor one, and with the
exception of Patti herself, there is nothing worth
the hearing for a truly musical person.
It is a disgrace for the management to offer such
singers on the same programme with Patti.
They might do for a fifty-cent concert, and the
audience would put up with the affliction on
account of its cheapness; but in an entertainment
of the character that a Patti concert.should have,
they are a disgrace.
On Thursday evening, when Patti offered the
"garden scene" from "Faust," she had a much
better house. Many persons availed themselves of
admission tickets, and in this manner obtained five-
dollar seats, for there was plenty of room, although
the house was comfortably filled.
The entire charm of the concert and act of the
opera was, of course, the singing of Patti.
She appeared to the best advantage in the opera
act. Her singing of the jewel song, and the love
duet that follows, was very beautiful, while her
acting was the picture of grace.
Her true place is in the opera. But in this
entertainment the concerted music was all marred
by the wretched support given her by the poor
singers that make up her company.
A PROTEST.
As Patti's visit to the country was entirely a
money making one, I suppose that it was good
business management to keep down expenses by
having a cheap company.
But I hope before long, that the American public
will not stand this kind of treatment. They have
the right to expect for a five-dollar entertainment
the best of singers in all the parts.
Patti may desire the entire returns to go into
her own pocket, and thus content herself with as
cheap support as may be obtained, but the public
has its rights.
Chicago people didn't rave over these concerts
by any means, although the management endeav-
ored to make them seem very brilliant affairs to
the outside public.
Patti is a beautiful singer, who owes a large
amount of her success to her perfect method.
Her voice is the result of proper vocal-develop-
ment rather than any wonderful gift, as is so often
supposed.
PATTI'S POINTS.
January 20th, 1882.
ALBANY, January 9, 1882.
News this week is a little scarce, although
musical events are numerous enough. Theo.
Thomas's orchestra gave two grand symphony
concerts on the 5th and 6th, and was greeted by
large and appreciative audiences. The selections
given were from the best composers, and in-
cluded the "Damnation of Faust," 4, and Liszt's
"Mephisto Waltz."
The most noticeable feature of the concert was
the new symphony, No. 5 in C minor, of Rubin-
stein's. It is a tribute of affection to the memory
of the late Grand Duchess Helene, who was a
friend of the composer. It is founded upon slave
melodies, which run in and out throughout the
whole composition. The Hungarian dances, with
the Magyer rhythm, were played superbly.
The concert concluded with the ballet "Sylvia,"
a recent work by a composer of the modern
French school, Leo Delibes. The concerts were a
grand success and proved that the city contains a
great many lovers of fine music.
AN ESCAPED LUNATIC.
Chas. Brown, the maniac horse clipper and
musical composer, will present "Elfins and Mer-
maids" at Music Hall on the 12th, 13th, and 14th,
with a company, as he claims, from the Standard
Theatre of New York. Parties desirous of seeing a
pantomime will probably attend.
Jerome Hopkins, composer of the alleged
"Oratorio of Samuel," will produce the same at
the Leland Opera House on the 13th with local
talent. Rice's Surprise Party will present "Cin-
derella at School" at the Leland on the 13th.
A grand concert under the auspices of the Bur-
gess Corps will no doubt attract a large crowd at
the Leland on the 14th. The artists engaged are
all of good reputation, and sing well. The oon-
cert will be under the personal management of
Leigh S. Lynch, and include Anna Teresa Berger,
Mile. Zela De Lussan, and Christian Pritch.
The Kellogg Concert Company is now under the
management of Geo. E. Oliver, and will appear at
Music Hall soon.
"Patience" has been offered by four different
troupes here already this season, and prospects for
several more now appear.
C. M. G.
I observed that she had a perfect control over
her breath, and that the larynx was free and un-
restrained in its movement; that the purity of
her voice was the result of purely formed vowels,
which extended to every note of her compass.
This made her pronunciation so perfect, and
gave her the power to express whatever phase of
sound she might desire.
Hence the tender, the brilliant, and the joyous
in vocalization were hers at command. It was the
old school of vocal method, as so many call it, but
in reality the only natural way to properly use and
develop the voice.
Hence we hear so many critics say "she sings
ROCHESTER.
like a bird," and contrasting her naturalness with
. ROCHESTEB, January 9, 1882.
the beautiful of nature.
FEW of the events and attractions which have
She has not a great voice in the sense of being
been, which are, and which will be, make
wonderful, but it is a perfectly developed organ,
and used according to the natural laws that govern up the following list:
Primrose and West's Minstrels, and Ford's Opera
pure vibration, and hence its beauty.
C. H. BBIXTAN. Company, at the Grand Opera House; Deacon
Crankett and Robinson's Humpty Dumpty Troupe
at the Corinthian Academy. This is what has been
ALBANY.
going on at the two houses since about January 1.
ALBANY, JANUABY 2, 1882.
Frank Frayne Combination is holding the
HE musical season in this city has been in- The
augurated in a most satisfactory manner, boards at present, while the coming attractions
and from present indications promises to be one are the Emily Melville Opera Company, for next
of the most brilliant known for a number of years, Saturday, at the Opera House, in the "Chimes of
numerous first class attractions having been an- Normandy" and "Patience;" at the Corinthian
Academy, Prof. Greiner's complimentary perform-
nounced.
ance of "Der Freischutz," by the Mtennerchor,
The Albany Musical Association, who presented on
the 12th inst.; Clara Louise Kellogg's farewell
"Elijah" recently with considerable success, are
hard at work upon another oratorio, which will be concert on the 16th, and the great Patti (per-
offered the latter part of the month. The name of haps) on the 19th.
These, with the numerous church and school
the production has not yet been announced.
entertainments, organ concerts, piano recitals, and
A CUTE "PHO3BE."
the like keep the average amusement seeker oc-
Ford's Opera Company sang ^'Billee Taylor" on cupied.
December 29, and "Patience," 30th, at Music
MADE AN IMPBESSION.
Hall, to good houses and with marked success.
The performances of the Ford Opera Company
Miss Madeline Lucette is a most charming sou- were wretched in the extreme, and they have cer-
brette, and, as Phoebe, she was "cute" and modest, tainly left a lasting impression upon the public
and sang very well. The chorus was, to use an here. It is a pity that any paper, even for the
expressive, if not elegant, phrase, "howling" tempting "twenty cents a line," will lend its voice
good, and showed themselves possessed of a in praise of such a combination of talent(?).
lung capacity quite remarkable for a troupe of Strange as it seems, it is nevertheless a fact, that
its size.
the company was heralded by most flattering press
The "Mascotte" was admirably sung by the notices from papers that ought to know better,
Wilbur Opera Company at Tweddle Hall on De- and were thought to be above such things. Even
cember 29, 30, and 31.
our own papers, in some instances, echoed the
The principal characters were sustained by Louis praise of these advertising notices, instead of crit-
Searle, who resigned from the troupe at the close of icising where the proper opportunity afforded.
their engagement here; Harry Brown, Jas. Brand
INTEBESTING YOUNG LADIES.
and Chapman, old favorites with lovers of bur-
The reception of the young ladies of the Opera
lesque, and they were fairly supported by a some-
what scant but handsomely dressed chorus. The Club, at Powers' reception rooms on New Year's
day, was a most successful affair. The afternoon
attendance was fair.
Miss Bessie C. Hamlin, who was recently a pupil was taken up with the usual New Year's calls un-
of Mme. Rudersdorf, of Boston, is singing soprano til eight o'clock, when the evening was devoted to
in St. Peter's church and teaching music in St. a social gathering of the members of the club
only. Dancing was the principal amusement,
Agnes' school.
Prof. T. Spencer Lloyd, organist at St. Paul's although this was interspersed with an occasional
church, has composed another anthem, to be pub- chorus, quartette, or song.
The club is now actively engaged in rehearsals
lished soon. Mme. Albani, who sang with great
success at Berlin in October, was formerly con- of "The Musketeers," which is to be produced
some time in the latter part of February, or early
nected with a church choir in this pity.
in March.
C M. G.
A
T
THE MUSICAL CRITIC AND TRADE REVIEW. .
172
STAFF CORRESPONDENCE
CHICAGO.
CHICAGO, January 10,1882.
HE Apollo Club concerts, with the assistance
of Mr. Theodore Thomas and an orchestra,
were the musical events of Christmas week.
On the first evening "The Damnation of Faust"
was given, with Miss Heckle, Mr. Knorr, Mr.
Clark, and Mr. McWade as soloists.
The chorus numbered about 150 singers.
The Apollo Club have sung this work two or
three times before; but on this occasion they
didn't have any rehearsal with the orchestra, and,
in consequence, there was a little uncertainty at
times that a more complete preparation would
have prevented. It is not quite right to expect a
chorus to do its best work, no matter how well
drilled they have been, without a thorough rehear-
sal with the orchestra.
Why this was not done, the management of the
Apollo Club alone can answer.
T
NOT UP TO THE STANDARD.
The instrumental part of the performance was
hardly up to the standard of last winter. Mr.
Thomas brought some seventeen men with him
from New York, and the rest of the band was
selected from our home players, and they had
hardly got used to working together.
However, their work was so much better than
that which we usually hear from our orchestra,
that we ought to be pleased with the performance.
Miss Heckle did not succeed very well with the
part of Marguerite. She was often out of tune.
TOO LIGHT FOB THE PABT.
Mr. Knorr, as Faust, was true to the score, but
unfortunately his voice was too light for the part.
This gentleman has been endowed by nature with
a fine tenor voice, of a sweet quality. His method
is a bad one, and prevents a free vocal delivery.
Hence, all he does seems contracted in utterance,
and the voice has a forced sound to it.
This can all be prevented by a different method
of vocal utterance, and keeping the throat free
from contraction, and allowing the large muscles
of the diaphragm to act as the motive power.
With a true method this gentleman wo aid be a
most agreeable and pleasing singer, for nature has
given him the vocal powers.
A GOOD "MEPHISTO."
Mr. Clark, the Mephisto, has a telling voice,
which is capable of much better work than he does
at present.
He sings the notes, but is unable to give a
melody with that flowing character of utterance
so necessary to a beautiful delivery.
The Italian style of sustained singing should be
his study for some time, until he had mastered the
secret.
Mr. Whitney's method of vocalization would
be a good example to follow.
"THE MESSIAH."
On the following evening this oratorio was given
with Miss Carpenter, Miss Johnson, Mr. Clark, the
tenor, and Mr. Grose as soloists. I was unfortu-
nately called out of town that day and was unable
to hear it.
The club was fortunate in having good audiences,
and opened their season with a marked sign of
appreciation from the musical people of this city.
PATTI.
This lady has been here in three performances
in Haverly's Theatre, presenting a mixture of con-
cert and so-called opera at each entertainment.
She gave the same selections that she sang in
New York, and an act of "Aida," "Faust," and
"Trovatore," respectively, at the different enter-
tainments.
On the first evening she did not have a large
house, for the high prices seemed to throw a cloud
even upon a Patti concert.
A POOB COMPANY.
The troupe is a very poor one, and with the
exception of Patti herself, there is nothing worth
the hearing for a truly musical person.
It is a disgrace for the management to offer such
singers on the same programme with Patti.
They might do for a fifty-cent concert, and the
audience would put up with the affliction on
account of its cheapness; but in an entertainment
of the character that a Patti concert.should have,
they are a disgrace.
On Thursday evening, when Patti offered the
"garden scene" from "Faust," she had a much
better house. Many persons availed themselves of
admission tickets, and in this manner obtained five-
dollar seats, for there was plenty of room, although
the house was comfortably filled.
The entire charm of the concert and act of the
opera was, of course, the singing of Patti.
She appeared to the best advantage in the opera
act. Her singing of the jewel song, and the love
duet that follows, was very beautiful, while her
acting was the picture of grace.
Her true place is in the opera. But in this
entertainment the concerted music was all marred
by the wretched support given her by the poor
singers that make up her company.
A PROTEST.
As Patti's visit to the country was entirely a
money making one, I suppose that it was good
business management to keep down expenses by
having a cheap company.
But I hope before long, that the American public
will not stand this kind of treatment. They have
the right to expect for a five-dollar entertainment
the best of singers in all the parts.
Patti may desire the entire returns to go into
her own pocket, and thus content herself with as
cheap support as may be obtained, but the public
has its rights.
Chicago people didn't rave over these concerts
by any means, although the management endeav-
ored to make them seem very brilliant affairs to
the outside public.
Patti is a beautiful singer, who owes a large
amount of her success to her perfect method.
Her voice is the result of proper vocal-develop-
ment rather than any wonderful gift, as is so often
supposed.
PATTI'S POINTS.
January 20th, 1882.
ALBANY, January 9, 1882.
News this week is a little scarce, although
musical events are numerous enough. Theo.
Thomas's orchestra gave two grand symphony
concerts on the 5th and 6th, and was greeted by
large and appreciative audiences. The selections
given were from the best composers, and in-
cluded the "Damnation of Faust," 4, and Liszt's
"Mephisto Waltz."
The most noticeable feature of the concert was
the new symphony, No. 5 in C minor, of Rubin-
stein's. It is a tribute of affection to the memory
of the late Grand Duchess Helene, who was a
friend of the composer. It is founded upon slave
melodies, which run in and out throughout the
whole composition. The Hungarian dances, with
the Magyer rhythm, were played superbly.
The concert concluded with the ballet "Sylvia,"
a recent work by a composer of the modern
French school, Leo Delibes. The concerts were a
grand success and proved that the city contains a
great many lovers of fine music.
AN ESCAPED LUNATIC.
Chas. Brown, the maniac horse clipper and
musical composer, will present "Elfins and Mer-
maids" at Music Hall on the 12th, 13th, and 14th,
with a company, as he claims, from the Standard
Theatre of New York. Parties desirous of seeing a
pantomime will probably attend.
Jerome Hopkins, composer of the alleged
"Oratorio of Samuel," will produce the same at
the Leland Opera House on the 13th with local
talent. Rice's Surprise Party will present "Cin-
derella at School" at the Leland on the 13th.
A grand concert under the auspices of the Bur-
gess Corps will no doubt attract a large crowd at
the Leland on the 14th. The artists engaged are
all of good reputation, and sing well. The oon-
cert will be under the personal management of
Leigh S. Lynch, and include Anna Teresa Berger,
Mile. Zela De Lussan, and Christian Pritch.
The Kellogg Concert Company is now under the
management of Geo. E. Oliver, and will appear at
Music Hall soon.
"Patience" has been offered by four different
troupes here already this season, and prospects for
several more now appear.
C. M. G.
I observed that she had a perfect control over
her breath, and that the larynx was free and un-
restrained in its movement; that the purity of
her voice was the result of purely formed vowels,
which extended to every note of her compass.
This made her pronunciation so perfect, and
gave her the power to express whatever phase of
sound she might desire.
Hence the tender, the brilliant, and the joyous
in vocalization were hers at command. It was the
old school of vocal method, as so many call it, but
in reality the only natural way to properly use and
develop the voice.
Hence we hear so many critics say "she sings
ROCHESTER.
like a bird," and contrasting her naturalness with
. ROCHESTEB, January 9, 1882.
the beautiful of nature.
FEW of the events and attractions which have
She has not a great voice in the sense of being
been, which are, and which will be, make
wonderful, but it is a perfectly developed organ,
and used according to the natural laws that govern up the following list:
Primrose and West's Minstrels, and Ford's Opera
pure vibration, and hence its beauty.
C. H. BBIXTAN. Company, at the Grand Opera House; Deacon
Crankett and Robinson's Humpty Dumpty Troupe
at the Corinthian Academy. This is what has been
ALBANY.
going on at the two houses since about January 1.
ALBANY, JANUABY 2, 1882.
Frank Frayne Combination is holding the
HE musical season in this city has been in- The
augurated in a most satisfactory manner, boards at present, while the coming attractions
and from present indications promises to be one are the Emily Melville Opera Company, for next
of the most brilliant known for a number of years, Saturday, at the Opera House, in the "Chimes of
numerous first class attractions having been an- Normandy" and "Patience;" at the Corinthian
Academy, Prof. Greiner's complimentary perform-
nounced.
ance of "Der Freischutz," by the Mtennerchor,
The Albany Musical Association, who presented on
the 12th inst.; Clara Louise Kellogg's farewell
"Elijah" recently with considerable success, are
hard at work upon another oratorio, which will be concert on the 16th, and the great Patti (per-
offered the latter part of the month. The name of haps) on the 19th.
These, with the numerous church and school
the production has not yet been announced.
entertainments, organ concerts, piano recitals, and
A CUTE "PHO3BE."
the like keep the average amusement seeker oc-
Ford's Opera Company sang ^'Billee Taylor" on cupied.
December 29, and "Patience," 30th, at Music
MADE AN IMPBESSION.
Hall, to good houses and with marked success.
The performances of the Ford Opera Company
Miss Madeline Lucette is a most charming sou- were wretched in the extreme, and they have cer-
brette, and, as Phoebe, she was "cute" and modest, tainly left a lasting impression upon the public
and sang very well. The chorus was, to use an here. It is a pity that any paper, even for the
expressive, if not elegant, phrase, "howling" tempting "twenty cents a line," will lend its voice
good, and showed themselves possessed of a in praise of such a combination of talent(?).
lung capacity quite remarkable for a troupe of Strange as it seems, it is nevertheless a fact, that
its size.
the company was heralded by most flattering press
The "Mascotte" was admirably sung by the notices from papers that ought to know better,
Wilbur Opera Company at Tweddle Hall on De- and were thought to be above such things. Even
cember 29, 30, and 31.
our own papers, in some instances, echoed the
The principal characters were sustained by Louis praise of these advertising notices, instead of crit-
Searle, who resigned from the troupe at the close of icising where the proper opportunity afforded.
their engagement here; Harry Brown, Jas. Brand
INTEBESTING YOUNG LADIES.
and Chapman, old favorites with lovers of bur-
The reception of the young ladies of the Opera
lesque, and they were fairly supported by a some-
what scant but handsomely dressed chorus. The Club, at Powers' reception rooms on New Year's
day, was a most successful affair. The afternoon
attendance was fair.
Miss Bessie C. Hamlin, who was recently a pupil was taken up with the usual New Year's calls un-
of Mme. Rudersdorf, of Boston, is singing soprano til eight o'clock, when the evening was devoted to
in St. Peter's church and teaching music in St. a social gathering of the members of the club
only. Dancing was the principal amusement,
Agnes' school.
Prof. T. Spencer Lloyd, organist at St. Paul's although this was interspersed with an occasional
church, has composed another anthem, to be pub- chorus, quartette, or song.
The club is now actively engaged in rehearsals
lished soon. Mme. Albani, who sang with great
success at Berlin in October, was formerly con- of "The Musketeers," which is to be produced
some time in the latter part of February, or early
nected with a church choir in this pity.
in March.
C M. G.
A
T
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