The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1872-04-27

A new overture, "Ajax," by Sir W. Stern
dale Bennett, is to be performed at the Phil
harmonic concerts in London.
La EspanG Musical says that Mile Nilsson
and Mime. Lucca have been engaged for the
summer season at Madrid, when they will ap-
pear in "Lohengrin.''
Verdi has written another opera, s.La
Principessa Giorges."
Mr.. Mapleson, it is said, has the exclusive
right Of giving Verdi's "Aida" in London.
The orchestra at Drury Lane will be led by
Sir Michael Costa. The list of singers will
include Miles Titiens, Nilsson, Marimon,
Mime. Trebelli, Messrs. Capoul, Foil, Agnesi,
and others.
Bach's ST. Matthew Passion Music was
performed at Westminster Abbey on the
Tuesday of Holy Week. Messrs. Cummings
and Beale, with Mr.. Barnby's boy choir, and
the boys of the Norwich Cathedral were the
singers. Mr.. Barnby conducted. The per-
formance is highly praised.
Ambrose Thomas, so well known as the
composer of "Mignon' and Hamlet" is en-
gagged to write a new opera for Mile Nilsson.
1t is her intention to have it first performed
in America.
Lucca will be in America during the sum-
mer of 1873. Patti also.
Madame Msscheles, the widow of the emf
nent composer, is at present engaged in writ
ing the life of her husband.
The last appearance of Mile Nilsson in this
country will occur on Monday evening, April
29, at the Acanemy of Music, New York.
The lady sails for Europe two days after. in
the CUBA.
The Emperor of Germany has interfered in
the serious quarrel that has for some time ex-
listed betyben Mesdames Lucca and Mailing
er. The latter's engagement has been can
eelled, and Frau Lucca (the Baroness Won
Rohden,} has had permission granted to her
for her carriage to draw up at the royal en-
trance to the Opera House.
Rubinstein's opera "Feramorz'' Lalla
Rookh) will soon be brought out at Vienna.
mot until the form is clear to you, will the
spirit be clear also," says Robert Schumann,
in his admirably practical and suggestive
'Home and Life Rules for Musicians"
Schumann had in the early part of his ca.
reer as composer, felt the need of the severe
technical discipline, to which a temperament
less ardent and imaginative would have more
readily submitted. In the arts of painting
and sculpture, clearness of outline is one Of
the first essentials, and although musical ex-
preston, from addressing itself more directly
to the heart, is of a less tangible nature the
same clearness is necessary. An idea, vague.
ly conceived in the mind of the composer
cannot make definite impression upon the
mind of the hearer. Proportion so univer
sally displayed in the natural laws of musi,
should be observed in its arbitrary combina-
tions.
The early contrapuntists enveloped the
study of music in thousand pedantic
technicalities. The rules of canon and i'm
itation afforded to the Flemish monks in
their seclusion the most ingenious puzzles.
Sebastian Bach, with the instinct OF a pro
found and noble genius, broke through thest
Fictitious rules, and by his consistent system
of composition, established a standard. Their,
is popular prejudice against the works O
Bach. '"They are very scientific, no doubt,
says the amateur, ''but uninteresting."
Until recently, scarcely any attempt ha
been made to bring before the public tn
great cantatas and passion-music, in whcl
the most sublime feeling is united to perfec
technical expression. Nowhere is spirit sub
servient to form, but the form is, like that
the cell of the bee, the one best fitted to con
tain its treasure.
The STYLE of many of the modern compos-
ers has a powerful charm for young an(
enthusiastic soul The restless chords ant
nebulous melodic figures excite the imagina
ton. One is fiattered by the constant appea
to his fancy-the enigmas which he tries I,
solve. Vague ideas, thus presented, afforc
him the highest scope for speculation.
But, il will be said, what fatal error +,
fetter fresh and heaven-sent talent by mu
sical rules. Surely-but to triumph over tn
laws of music is not to set them aside, but t
render them obedient and apt to express tn
various ideas of the composer. By careft
and reverent study of great masters-by SYN
pathy with man and nature, the artist be
comes great. Form and spirit combine, ant
render him an interpreter of thought AM
passion.