Music Trade Review

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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
Poets," even for the space of twenty min-
utes at a time. He would, doubtless, re-
turn to his key-board with redoubled vigor;
and might probably play Beethoven all the
better, having made some acquaintance
with the life and mode of work of the
great master.
In short, the habit of regular reading
can be cultivated like any other habit, and
it is one, when become part of ourselves,
that is the most wonderful panacea for
melancholy and all other species of mental
worry. By all means let us hope that the
days are now gone by forever when it can
be alleged, as it was by Dr. Burney, the
great musical historian, that more is known
theoretically about music by "the man of
science who never hears music" than by
"the musician who never reads books!"
A MONG the numerous artists that will
** appear under Manager Charles L.
Young's direction the coming season, is
Frau Poehlmann, the great contralto, who
has been a reigning success in Continental
Europe for the past several seasons. Frau
Poehlmann was born in Otdesloe (near
Hamburg) in 1870. Her early studies
were taken up in Lubeck, but soon real-
izing the inadequacy of musical instruction
there she entered the Royal Conservatory
in Dresden, where for four years she
studied under Prof. Scharfe. After com-
pleting her studies (in 1890) she was spec-
ially engaged as prima donna contralto in
the Deutches Theatre in Posen, and after-
wards in a similar capacity at the Royal
Opera at Weimar. Her success in both
instances was instantaneous and over-
whelming. Her repertoire was such parts
as Ortrud in "Lohengrin;" Amazena in
"Trovatore;" Armeris in "Aida;" Orfeo
in Gluck's composition of that name, and
many others. She has also appeared in
concert in nearly every European city with
notable success.
Ludwig Hartman, the eminent composer
and critic, in writing of Frau Poehlmann,
in the Dresdener Zeitung, says: "The
" classical songs of Frau Poehlmann are de-
s e r v i n g of special mention. Gifted with
" a powerful resonant voice, she has the art
"of accuracy in every point of execution,
"the most minute as well as the most
"dramatic. That which especially distin-
"guishes her performances is the truly
"classical beauty with which she executes
"each number, etc."
Frau Poehlmann is a woman of rare per-
sonal charm and attainments, and will
doubtless achieve the same degree of suc-
cess in this country which she enjoys
abroad.
jt
CMMA CALVE'S decision to leave the
*-* lyric stage and become an actress will
not surprise her friends. Mme. Calve's
ill-health has enfeebled her system and
the result has been a serious damage to
her voice. It was evident to all hearing
her last season that on the dramatic side of
her performances she was as great as ever,
although vocally she was not the same
woman that appeared here so triumphantly
six years before. Mme. Calve feels that
she would be in better health if it were
not for the strain involved by her appear-
ances in opera. She knows that she could
attract attention as an actress and has
therefore decided to leave the operatic
stage. The London critics have com-
mented this year on the serious decline in
Mme. Calve's voice, and her declaration
that she intended to leave the operatic
stage was in all probability made public
by reason of this criticism. Mme. Calve
has frequently discussed during the past
seasons here, the restraint imposed on
an actress through the conventionalities of
the operatic stage and expressed envy of
Mmes. Bernhardt and Duse, who were able
to act without being hampered by the
necessity of singing. Mme. Calve says
that she will appear for the last time on
the operatic stage in Bruneau and Zola's
FRAU STECK-POEHLMANN.
parts of Europe, where the pay is still
lower, thus tempting the unfortunate per-
formers to emigrate to London and over-
crowd the profession in England. It is
said that in Holland and in some of the
smaller German towns jQi a week is quite
an average salary, the player giving his
whole time to performances and rehearsals.
In some orchestras in Paris, it is also as-
serted, it is necessary for the player to hire
his violin from the conductor, paying for
the instrument a nightly fee, which is de-
ducted from his salary.
T T has long been a matter of surprise to
*• Victor Herbert's friends that he could
accomplish as much work as he has done
during the past two years or more. He
has remained at the head of the Twenty-
second Regiment Band, con-
ducted a series of classical concerts
in Pittsburg, composed five comic
operas as well as several more
ambitious works and has con tinued
to look healthy and cheerful under
the strain. His duties have re-
cently become too arduous, and
he has been released from his place
at the head of the Twenty-second
Regiment's Band as he wishes
next winter to devote more than
ever his time to the work of the
Pittsburg Orchestra and to com-
position. It is probable that the
only future appearance of Mr.
Herbert as a conductor will be
made here at the head of the Pitts-
burg Orchestra or at the first per-
formances of some of his comic
operas. Paul Hennenberg, for
some years his assistant in the
Twenty-second Regiment Band,
has been appointed to Mr. Herbert's place.
"L'Ouragan," at the Opera Comique next
winter. Contrary to the usual impression,
she is not a rich woman, as the wealth of D E R H A P S it is to emphasize the growth
of good feeling between Great Brit-
prima donnas is estimated. She was poor A
when she came here in 1894, and since that ain and the United States that several com-
time has practically sung only here in a posers in the former country are selecting
way to earn any large sums. Much other American subjects for musical treatment.
time between her American tours has Or has the inspiration been furnished from
been spent in retirement. Recently she this liberty-loving country of ours? Any-
sang "Marguerite" in London, and, dis- way, we notice that Coleridge-Taylor's
carding her blond wig, appeared as a bru- beau tif ul work, ''Hiawatha,'' which aroused
such great enthusiasm on its presentation
nette.
in London, has been followed by a "Walt
I J E N R Y WOLFSOHN, who is man- Whitman symphony," of which W. H. Bell
• * aging the American Tour of Miss is the composer. It was produced recent-
Blauvelt, has arranged for her to make her ly at the Crystal Palace for the benefit of
re-appearance in this country, as the lead- the veteran conductor, August Manns, and
ing prima donna soprano at the coming was cordially received. The critics speak
Worcester Musical Festival, which will be of it in the highest terms.
held during the last week in September.
In addition to Miss Blauvelt he has also
T V. GOTTSCHALK who, previous to
arranged for the following artists to sing ^ • the retirement of Victor Thrane,
during the festival. Sara Anderson, H. was associated with him in the managerial
Evan Williams, Theodor Van Yorx, Gwy- field, has established a concert-direction
lim Miles and Campanari. Mme. Schu- under his personal control in this city with
mann-Heink will also be heard at two of offices in the Revillon Building. He has
the concerts.
had an extensive experience with musical
managers in Europe and America and pos-
''THE Parisian orchestral players have sessing marked ability, should meet with
* formed themselves into a trades union success.
for the defence of their common interests.
The news will be received with gratifica- \ 1 7 A L T E R DAMROSCH'S accession to
tion by British instrumentalists, says our
* * the position of conductor for the
London namesake, who would be even German opera performances at the Metro-
more glad if the movement spread to other politan surprised no one familiar with the