Music Trade Review

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January 20th, 1882.
174
THE MUSICAL CRITIC AND TRADE REVIEW.
Fashionable society is manifesting great inter-
est, and seems to be dividing its patronage verj
equally with the different nights.
The sale of tickets is quite large already for ad
Vance nights. Somehow it seems that whatever Mr.
John Pugh's uame is connected with, whether a
Star Course Lecture or a Grand Italian Opera, i
taken up by the pleasure-seekers and liberally
patronized.
EOSSTNl's APPEARANCE.
VOICE-TRAINING.
A BALTIMORE PHYSICIAN REPLIES TO DR,
WARD'S STRICTURES ON VOCAL METHODS.
TAKING ISSUE WITH D R .
WARD ON SEVERAL
IMPORTANT MEDICAL POINT*—THE U S E OF THE
LARYNGOSCOPE INCORRECTLY STATED—MAL-
IBRANS, MARIOS, AND CATALINIS NOT
MADE BY ANY MASTERS, BUT ONLY
AIDED IN BECOMING GREAT
ARTISTS—A SINGER R E -
LATES H I S EXPERI-
ENCE WITH THE
HOWARD
METHOD.
notes to their upper register; yet he is considerably
in error as to the functions assigned to the soft
palate and nasal cavity in voice production.
IMPORTANCE OF THE LARYNGOSCOPE.
As regards the formation of voice and the part
played in its modification by the different portions
of the respiratory track, many former misappre-
hensions have been recently dissipated by the new
light thrownluponthesubjectjby the laryngoscope,
an instrument for which the medical profession
has to thank Emanuel Garcia, a singing master.
By the aid of this ingenious contrivance, every
portion of the complicated mechanism which
takes part in voice production (the lungs alone
excepted) can be observed during the act of
phonation; but Dr. Ward far oversteps the mark
when he states that by its agency "the peculiar
differences in throats can be accurately mapped
out and the range of a given voice be almost in-
variably ascertained."
Outside of such broad differences, that a con-
tracted larynx and short, narrow vocal cords will
certainly produce a higher voice than a capacious
larynx, with long, broad cords, it is absolutely im-
possible to judge of the range of an individual's
voice from mere inspection of the parts, and to my
knowledge no laryngoscopist, except Dr. Ward,
has ever claimed the power to form such judg-
ment.
It is impossible to determine the compass and
quality of a voice from using this instrument.
The elasticity, suppleness, and contractility of its
component tissues have the greatest influence
upon sounds produced in the larynx, and, unfortu-
nately, we are unable to measure these qualities.
A new interest was given to "Aida" last night
by the "first appearance" in Philadelphia of two
pritna donne, Mile. Paolina Rossini, who sang the
role of Aida, and Mile. Cobianci, who appeared as
Amrusis.
Both performances were excellent.
Mile. Rossini has a fine stage presence, and acts
with intelligence. She has a strong soprano voice,
which she uses well, betraying a disposition, how-
BALTIMORE, January 10.
ever, to make an over use of the tremolo.
To the Editor 0/ THE MUSICAL CRITIC AND TRADE
The great duet with Signor Campanini (Rha-
REVIEW :
dames), in the third act, was enthusiastically en- ' I ^HE indictment has frequently, and with justice,
cored.
J_ been urged against instructors of singing, that
t
"PINAFORE" AGAIN.
they undertake the training of an organ in the
This week we are without "Patience," for a human body without deeming it important tt
wonder; but then "H. M. S Pinafore" has been acquaint themselves with the construction of that
revived by the Church Choir Company at the organ, or with those conditions absolutely neces-
sary for the proper performance of its functions
Lyceum.
The Edouin Sparks Company are giving that That such ignorance must favor the introduc-
clever and amusing combination of songs and non- tion of faulty methods of teaching, and conse-
sense, "Dreams, or Fun in a Photograph Gallery,' quently of singing, belongs to the very nature of
things, and I am convinced that an exposition of
at the Arch.
The Vienna Ladies' Orchestra, under the direc- the bad effects of such methods, as is contained
tion of Miss Temple, play to large audiences at the in the paper by Dr. Whitfield Ward, in your last
issue, may go far to remedy the evil.
Broadway Garden every evening.
OLD THEORIES ABANDONED.
The Ideal Opera Company, of Boston, will be
JOINING" ISSUE WITH DR. WARD.
at the Walnut Street Theatre on January 23, ap- Dr. Ward certainly points out in a most vigor- The physiology of the voice, which should
pearing in "Fatinitza," "The Chimes of Nor- ous manner some glaring defects in the present surely be of interest to musicians as well as physi-
mandy," "The Mascotte," "The Bohemian Girl," systems of singing masters, and calls attention to cians, has lately received so much study from
"Olivette," "The Pirates of Penzance," and "Pin- diseases occasioned thereby in the constituent able men, like Mandl, Browne, and Voltolini, that
afore."
parts of the voice-producing apparatus; yet I am old and ingenious theories are fast falling to the
Charles G. Wright, one of the ablest minstrels unable to agree with him in all of his conclusions, ground, beaten down by the iron logic of actual
in America, died at his son's residence, in this and I cannot believe that many teachers are guilty observation.
city, January 5. He was sixty-four years old, and of such gross mistakes as he lays to the charge of Since music, through the labors of its votaries,
was one of the original Peel troupe. He was a the whole class of voice-trainers.
has built for itself a sound scientific basis, why
noted ballad singer before the war.
It is very doubtful if any instructor would insist should not those who engage in its culture, utilize
CHAMBER CONCERT MATINEES.
upon or even permit the continued exercise of a the facts gleaned by scientific investigators that
The first of Himmelsbach's series of Classical pupil's voice during an attack of hoarseness, from bear upon the construction and working of the
htiman organ of voice?
Chamber Musical Matinees, to be given at the whatever cause.
The commonest logical faculty would save him It would be unreasonable to demand of the
Academy of Fine Arts, is announced for January
singing master that he learn the minute anatomy
21, with the following programme and partici- from so palpable a blunder.
and histology of the throat, or that he should
pants:
POINTING OUT AN ERROR.
thoroughly understand the various morbid condi-
John F. Himmelsbach, piano; M. Van Gelder,
of the singing and even speaking-voice tions that invade its delicate structures; but it may
violin; R. Henning, violoncello; and Mrs. Anna is Overuse
a notorious cause of some of the throat ailments very properly be required of him that he acquaint
Heinrich, soprano.
which Dr. Ward mentions, but it is certainly an
Trio for piano, violin, and 'cello (G major),— error to believe that either speaking or singing himself, at least, with the broad, general physiolog-
1. Andante; 2. Poco adagio, Cantabile; 3. Finale, under any conditions, or for any length of time, ical principle concerned in the production and
modification of voice.
Rondo all' Ongarese—Haydn. Vocal, "Hear ye, could produce paralysis of the cords.
STRUCTURE OF THE VOCAL APPARATUS.
Israel!" from "Elijah," Mendelssohn. Sonate for A form of sore throat known as acute simple
piano and violin (G Major, op. 13),—1. Lento laryngitis is occasionally accompanied by slight The essential parts of the voice apparatus are
doloroso, allegro vivace; 2. Allegretto tranquillo;
of the vocal cords, and has for its cause, in the vocal cords, two thin, flat bands of fibrous
3. Allegro animato—Edvard Grieg. Sonate for paresis
the
great
majority of instances, exposure to damp, issue, which may be justly likened to the vibrat-
piano and violoncello (D major; op. 58),—1. Alle- cold, and varying
temperature; but this ailment is ing tongues of reed instruments.
gro assai vivace; 2. Allegretto scherzando; 3. rare among singers,
These cords (or reeds, as they should be called,)
for the most part know
Adagio; 4. Molto allegro e vivace—Felix Men- the danger and avoid who
are set into vibration by the current of air driven
the
effects
of
such
exposure.
delssohn-Bartholdy. Vocal, a Waldesgesprach,
through the wind pipe by the lungs during expi-
b Aus alten Marchen, Schumann. Novelletten Moreover, no method of singing, be it correct or ration, the lungs performing the same function in
faulty,
can
lead
to
the
developments
of
such
a
for piano, violin and 'cello (A minor, op. 29), 1.
voice as do the bellows in the organ. They act
Allegro scherzando; 2. Andantino con moto; 3. morbid condition of the larynx.
as reservoirs and 2'ropellers of air.
Those forms of throat trouble to which singers, merely
Moderate; 4. Larghotto con moto; 5. Finale,
The
vibration
of the vocal cords produces a tone
as well as orators, actors, clergymen and auction- whose pitch depends
Allegro, Niels W. Gade.
upon their length and ten-
eers, are especially liable, and which often find sion, and whose loudness
depends upon the strength
Mr. Chas. H. Jarvis, on January 7, gave the their origin in faulty methods of breathing and
second soiree of his present series of concerts. His intonation, are chronic laryngitis and pharyngitis, of the expiratory blast. The timbre or quality of
selections for the piano were entirely from Chopin. marked by engorgement and relaxation of the the voice is determined principally by the physi-
What a nuisance talking at both opera and con- mucus investment of these parts—and the chor- cal quality of the cords, and depends upon the
certs is becoming, and it seems to be fast on the ditis tuberosa (only found in singers), which was number and character of the overtone which
accompany any given fundamental note.
increase. When one may not enjoy in peace what first described by Tuerck.
we have to pay so dearly for, namely, "Her Ma-
The length of the cords which decides the range
CAUSE OF HOARSENESS.
jesty's Opera," it does seem pretty hard.
of the voice may be looked upon as constantin the
The general complaint is about the discourtesy No one could take exception to the excellent odividual, since it varies only with age, and only
to the singer, but we think we are the onea to be rule laid down by Dr. Ward, that "all acts of vo- up to the time of puberty. It thus becomes appar-
alization productive of hoarseness are certain to ent how futile must be any efforts of training
pitied.
The artists are paid the same, whether we have injure the vocal cords," had he substituted the :o change a baritone to a tenor, or an alto to a
the best or the smallest possible opportunity to word voice for vocal cords, for it is well known soprano.
enjoy their performance, and loud and vulgar among laryngologists that the cause of simple The pharynx and the mouth are merely reson-
talking, to say nothing of laughter, is a serious hoarseness is seldom found in a morbid condition ,nce chambers, and alteration of shape in these
of the cords themselves.
annoyance to lovers of music.
avities affect and change the number or promi-
Apropos of higher prices, I wonder people According to Mandl, Lennex, Browne, and my nence of overtones, on which, as I have stated
have not more to say about them, after so much own experience, the hoarseness of singers, which above, depends in a measure the quality of the
s usually not so much a mere gruffness of voice voice.
has been said about elevating the public taste.
Why should it be the privileged few only who as an inability to sustain a certain tone or a cer- The effect of change in the shape of the mouth
are to be allowed to see what is best worth seeing tain pitch, is very often unaccompanied by any cavity upon a note is very evident in the singing
altered appearance in the throat, but is evidently af vowels, which are in fact the only sounds that
on the stage?
Actors and singers are not sliort-lived people, due to actual fatigue of the muscles of the larynx, 3an be spoken or sung. Consonants are vowel
and they certainly like to keep before the public brought about in large measure by incomplete ounds altered by modifying the air blast some-
as long as they possibly can, so that there would and ill-timed respiration.
where in its course through the air passages.
be time and a chance for every one to see them, if
Dr. Ward calls deserved attention to the impair- All vowels are produced by the same fundamen-
only a reasonable price for seats would be charged. ment of voice which elongation of the uvula and tal note sounded by the vibrating cords, but the
We mean for such seats as the large number of nlargement of the tonsils must necessarily pro- difference in the character is due to the different
the middle class, with only moderate means, duce, and it is an established fact that the excision vertones brought into prominence by changes in.
of enlarged tonsils in singers actually adds several he shape of the buccal cavity.
care to occupy.
RALPH CECIL.