Music Trade Review

382
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THE MUSICAL CRITIC AND TRADE REVIEW.
July 20th, 1882.
They would thus avoid one of the risks that al- gers to follow the example set them in these two
instances.
ways surround them.
Many vocalists can sing grand arias with techni- The same thing can be said in reference to sev-
cal correctness, but something in addition is re- eral "Patience" performances lately given,—al-
though the mise en scene at the Germania has never
quired, and this something is above their level.
Then why not use their technical ability in the been surpassed in comic opera in this country.
* * *
direction of light music, such as we find in comic
operas, or operettes, and in that domain, and thus Neuondoiff, of the Germania, is in Europe, or,
raise the part to their level?
rather, in Germany, for the purpose of bringing
All this would aid in making the opera a suc- over some new works and new artists. He is an
cess.
industrious manager, who, besides managing, also
Let me tell you, that in most cases light opera composes operas and directs them in person.
has been ruined by improper impersonation.
This is a rare phenomenon.
A young lady, after studying singing, and reach- He should have some one like Catenhusen to
OMIC OPERA can easily be made a success ing a grade that enables her to sing grand arias of
in this country, where people are extremely Verdi, Rossini, and such arias as Gounod's "Jewel direct the music. Catenhusen is a competent mu-
sician, and has the ability to compose marches
susceptible to wit and humor, in conjunction with Song," will not deign to sing in light opera.
and songs to suit such instances as were over-
light and sprightly music.
But she will find that the field in grand opera is
The text must, of course, be in English. In completely occupied, and she will pass her days looked by the composer of the opera.
French comic opera the public here desires good in expectancy, while, if she would sing in light You must not be astonished when I inform you
scenic effects, but especially a renowned prima opera, and by dint of her ability add to its suc- that there are really two "Merry Wars,"—one is
donna of that school. Then the success which cess, she might earn a reputation that would es- Strauss's, the other is the Germania "Merry War."
In the latter, Catenhnsen's marches and vocal
Aimee made during her first tournees can be re- tablish her for life.
solos, etc., are introduced with happy effect.
peated.
I can give you many cases which illustrate the Of course, Straxiss being in Vienna, or anywhere
The prima donna need not necessarily be a argument I would make here.
great musical artist. If she possesses chic, and I must not neglect to mention another thing- else, could not foresee certain contingencies, and
has no especial scruples against a display of per- Taking it for granted that a young lady can do as these contingencies had to be met, Catenhusen
sonal charms by herself, as well as the ladies who ample justice to Violelta's score, in "Traviata," it went to work with a will and met them.
accompany her, she can carry the operas through does not follow that she can act the role, while at It is lucky that the work fell on Catenhusen,
for otherwise not a trace of the original "Merry
a successful season.
the same time she might be able to give an excel-
She must be a Parisienne, the company must lent interpretation to roles in light or comic War" might have been left.
Some one else might have been delegated to at-
consist of well formed French ladies,—and even opera.
should much of the music be cut, or even dis- I am aware of cases where vocalists sing "A fors tend to the improvement of the opera, and the
pensed with, the operas would succeed on the e lui" Avith splendid effect, while at the same time result might have been musically disastrous.
As it is, I might even congratulate the manage-
strength of the attractions described.
their rendition of Violettas role was a complete ment, although I prefer to hear an opera just as it
I have heard some of Offenbach's operas given fiasco.
here by French companies, with all but the most Why run such a risk when a career can be made was written by the original composer.
* * *
popular music cut, and still the star of the even- in comic opera? And in many instances these
ing mude a brilliant impression.
Catenhusen is a very conscientious director, and
artists must, after all, go into light opera.
It was Angele and her much-described limbs
it would be gratifying if men of no inferior standard
that did it.
in the future were selected to direct musical per-
But all this could not make an English comic
formances.
opera a thorough success.
There is the case of Belle Cole, in the "Merry . I must add his photograph to my collection,
Witty dialogue, good acting, a large and efficient War."
which, by the way, is growing rapidly. I get pho
chorus and orchestra are required,—the soloists She claims that she assisted in making the opera tographs at Falk's, Sarony's, Gambier's, Dana's,
must be singers, and the scenic effects must not be a success at the Germania Theatre, and there is no Mora's, and other galleries, and am often amused
shabby,—and then, with these essential points al- doubt that her excellent singing of Artemisia's at the peculiarities of the subjects.
ways kept in view, English comic opera can be music did unquestionably ^contribute to its suc- Some of our most serious artists twist their
made the most popular form of public amuse- cess.
muscles into unwilling smiles, to appear good-
ment.
But she is no actress, and the management sup- humored; others force themselves to appear very
"When it is remembered that the composer in- planted her by an actress, who is, however, no tragical, while they are nearly convulsed with
tended the very requisites I have just described to singer.
laughter; some select their usual dress, and others
be enforced, as a matter of course, I can easily In a dilemma of this kind, I would prefer the again costume themselves for roles they will never
find reasons why so many of the English comic singer to the actress, because music is the first be able to appear in.
operas failed when some of these points were desideratum in opera.
neglected.
Belle Cole sings Strauss's music excellently,
It will be found that under different auspices while she has never distinguished herself in grand
My latest acquisition in the photograph line is
the operas fared differently.
arias.
that of Friiulein Amalia Wurmb, whom you will
I remember several occasions when "Mascotte" The "Merry War" production in English pre- remember as one of the Rhine Daughters when
productions fell flat, but now, since a correct per- sents other instances of the correctness of the Wagner's "Rheingold" was sung here at the May
formance has taken place, with an intelligible theory I am urging. Take Carleton's case.
Festival.
translation as a basis, the "Mascotte" has become Here is a singer who appeared in grand Italian She sang the role of Wellgarde. It appears as
as popular as "Pinafore" was in its day.
opera. He never made what could properly be if she has a sympathy for the watery element,
judging from her appearance in this photograph,
termed a success.
He sang like thousands of other baritones. He for she seems to be ready for a plunge.
During a conversation wiWi an experienced actor never could be compared with Santley, Faure, I am quite sure that it does not represent Wag-
the other evening, he showed me that the secret of Galassi, Pantaleoni, or Storti.
ner's Wellgarde, although it might be Miss Wurmb's
Joseph Jefferson's successes lay in the fact that he These are, or were, among the baritones who idea of the want of dress that is characteristic of
always played such roles as enabled him to. raise inspired audiences.
nymphs.
the character he represented to the level of his Carleton recently appeared in light opera, and She shows quite an appreciation of nature's
own abilities, instead of playing parts which his singing has ever since been a feature of the charms, and evidently has no reluctance to display
would have compelled him to raise himself to the performances.
her tendencies by the powerful aid of the photo-
level or height which their authors intended.
If his acting were of equal merit with his sing- graph.
This seemed to me an excellent point.
ing, he would be a very important figure in light I admire persons who have the courage of their
Jefferson's method thus gives him the oppor- opera.
convictions, and if Miss Wurmb is really con-
tunity of improving upon certain parts, and stamp- I am convinced that many others in the profes- vinced that she assists art in having her photo-
ing his individuality upon them,—and this is the sion could enter this field and make careers; and graph taken in the style I now see before me, I
very thing that vocalists should do.
their addition to the forces would enable us to admire her for her pluck.
Instead of singing in operas where grand arias hear in English the best productions of the com- Photographs are of great assistance to artists.
are found, that can only be sung satisfactorily in posers of light operas.
They enable them to look as handsome on close
every respect by great artists, singers should ap- I suppose the manner in which the "Mascotte" examination as they generally do at a distance.
pear in roles with which they can cope and which and the "Merry War" have been placed upon the You may have noticed that there are compara-
they can raise to the level of their ability.
stage at the Germania will hereafter compel mana- tively few homely persons photographed,
C