The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-03-09
SHAH We Have a School Of Music |.


been given In this city, in which the vocal
parts, including the chorus, have been filed
by native singers. Philadelphia has thus won
the honorable distinction OF having first prac-
tically proved the feasibility of producing the
finest works of the Italian composers with
American artists only and this success shows
further that, with the necessary facilities of
musical education once afforded for the de-
velopment of native talent, the lyric drama
could be naturalized among us, to the
extent of making us quite independent
eventually of foreign vocalists. The anna
teur performances now in progress at Con-
cert Hall, under the auspices of Mr.. Pc
RELLI, have cost him and his pupils
large amount of labor, study, and expense.
And just here we are prompted to ask, What
end, at last, is to be reached by so much
patient practice, skilful instruction, laborious
rehearsals, and the pre- eminent success of the
whole enterpriseP Is anything achieved
either for the maestro, or his pupils, or the
public, beyond the ephemeral applause of a
room fall of people? Do not connoisseurs in
musical art see that the grand object at which
Mr.. PERELLI aims-namely, the permanent
foundation of o school of music on a large
scale in this city, is not attained ever by the
most triumphant effects of each successive
representation Philadelphia has proved the
possibility of success in the experiment
OF giving operate performances by amateurs,
which places her far in advance of any
other city in the Union. Such an
exhibition of thorough musical educa-
ton, of brilliant vocalism, of drama
tic talent, developed under many diff
culties, and of completeness in every depart
ment of the performance, has not been wit
messed elsewhere; and no one will doubt that
if all this had been done IN New York or
Boston, the people would have gone half
wild with delight and selfcomplacent congra-
tulations on their sup arorty over their neigh
bors. Nor would this have satisfied the
metropolitan pride of those cities, where
money and encouragement are never given
grudgingly for anything which will rebound
to the profit or the qualification of their
people.
Once upon time, after great deliberation,
the Quaker City resolved to build an Opera
House-no we beg pardon-an academy of
Music. This movemel 1T had two important
objects. The first was, to compete in some
degree with New York for the honor and
profit of entertaining and OBTAINING strangers
for a few days WITH us, by afording them
place of amusement, in which musical per-
formances OF high order would be the at
traction; to prevent them from posting off
Immediately to New York, in which city in
Vulnerable theatres, etc, enable them to pass
their evenings pleasantly after the business
of the day.
None OF the projectors of the enterprise
expected or desired to make money directly
by it. Indeed, on all occasions, the prces
were so low that it would be in the power of
all to visit the Academy frequently, so that
this elevating taste for music might be widely
disseminated among the masses as one means
oil humanizing them.
The second object was even more unsel-
fish one, viz, the creation Of school like the
ConSerUatoire in Paris, devoted to the develop
ment and liberal encouragement of native
talent wherever it might be discovered, and
where the possessor was without sufficient
means to pay for instruction. Well, the
house was built, and is conceded to be, in all
respects, one of the finest in the world. But
we modestly ask whether either of these
objects has been accomplished?
For third of the year, perhaps, the house
is rented to operatic managers at a price
which renders it impossible for any but the
creme de la creme to enjoy it. During the
rest of the time it is let Unfortunately for
theatrical representations, for acrobats, or
public lectures, or learned dogs, or horse
tanners, or gymnasts, or, in truth, to anybody
that will pay for it. The foyer, which was to
be the school of the Institution, is occupied
principally as an eating saloon, where oysters
and salad are dispensed to weary dancers.
We are not informed whether, for the
classical concerts of MeSsrs. WoLFsoHN,
JARVIS, Cross, GAERTNER, ETC., the room
is gratuitolsly offered; but we are quite sure
it ought to be. Why is it that up to this time
no effort whatever has been made TO carry
out the plan OF making it what its name would
lead the verdant stranger to suppose it, viz,
an Academy of Music? At present the title
is supremely ridiculous. Philadelphia might
be made the musical Athens of America (if
Boston would allow it). In view of the ad-
mirable manner In which Mr.. PERELLPs
amateur operas have been presented, it would
be suPerfuous to say that we have a super