The Portland daily press., 1873-03-29
Musical Notes.

and attractive, Is not an eminently successful
one, either financially or artistically. Even
with the charming Nine. Lucca as prinaa dom
ma, the opera can hardly be called satisfaetory
while the supporting corps PGtistes Is so
manifestly inadequate. Still the powerful,
brilliant and thoroughly dramatic vocallsm
and action of Nine. Lucca is enough in itself
to secure audiences. Miss Kellogg, too, has
had her share of applause, appearing in re-
pertoire somewhat different from thas of for
mer seasons. She will sail for London in
June. After the Lucca opera-season Is over,
| 1t is said, though as yet no official announce
| ments have been made, that the troupe, at
present singing in Havana. under the man
sgement of the eminent Russian tenor, Tam
berlik, will give few performances at the
New York Academy of Music. The indefa-
tisable NJ. Maretzek has signed contract
with Nine. Lucca for the next year, and has
also secured, it is said, Mile. lima di Murska,
an exceedingly brilliant high soprano, who
has won golden opinions in London, as Lucia
and in similar roles. Not to be outdone, NJ.
Strakosch promises us Mime. Nilsson-Rouze-
and, Miss Cary and the tenors M. NJ Capoul
and Campanini for the season of 73-4 Nine.
Adelina Patti will probably defer her visit to
America until another year. Nine. Parepa
Rosa will bring out Balfe's last work, the
"Talisman' in this country; and Nine. Nilsson
Rouzeand win do the same in Europe. The
well known composer and conductor, Sig. Ar
diti, has been engaged by Mr.. Strakosch as
chef Gorchestre for the next season.
Four hundred members of the Boston Ham
del and Hayden society, with Mr.. Zerrahn.
conductor. and Mr.. Lang, organist, win give
three oratorio performances at Steinway Han
and one at the Brooklyn Academy of Music,
April 22nd, 23rd, oath, and 36th. Mr.. Theo-
dore Thomas and his magnificent orchestra
furnish the instrumental part of the perform
ancs. The programme viii include ssElijah.'
"Hymh of Praise" and the double choruses
from 'Israel in Egypt" "Judas Maccabeus;,
and the vocal portion of Beethoven's Ninth
Symphony.
The soloists for the Cincinnati Festival win
be Mrs. E. r. Dexter, soprano; Miss Annie
Louise Cary, ccntralto; Mr.. Nelson varley,
tenor; Mr.. J. F. Rudolphsen, baritone; and
Mr.. M. W. Whitney, basso 1aals
Mme.' .'Arabella Goddard is, we understand,
coming soon to America. Her farewell con.
cert in London was an occasion of much en-
| thusiasm. a p h'ssfh
4lAt -'r . oiai r1ils1
The fine band, under the leadership of Mr..
Dan. Godfrey, is soon to visit us again.
| Herr Auton Rubinstein can write and
speak as well as play the piano as witness
his observations concerning emusic as Fine
Art: d'll o ab
sTn the first place the critics are greatly to
blame. 1t has happened more than once
during my present tour through your mag
nificent country, that my attention has been
called to articles in different papers, advising.
If not demanding, that popular music should
be introduced into my programs. The pub
lie naturally look to you gentlemen to lead
them Alright in the matter of art: but with
| you music appears not TO be an art, but sim
ply an amusement. The sRnbinstein con-
| certs' are nearly always discussed under the
designation OF 'amusements,' in large and at
| tractive letters. Now, ART is not amusement.
| Itis-rightly appreciated and understood-In-
1 structi0n. 1t does not serve merely as re-
| lief or relaxation from the cares and anxieties
| of our grosser and purely material life, and il
| Is PROCLAMATION so to regard 1t. The strug-
| Gle for wealth is but an elevated phase
Of the struggle for food, and II food is the
i highest object OF mans aspirations, he 10
but little higher than the brute. We are su-
perior to the brutes because we have souls,
and it is through art. whether 1t be painting,
poetry, general literature, or music, that the
soul finds appropriate expression. 1t Is not
to be expected that these reflections will 0e-
cur to the thoughtless and unrefecting multi
tude, and 1t is therefore the duty of the critic
TO lead them Alright and strive to correct the
erroneous impression that art Is to be made
subservient to their mere qualification or
amusement. This fatal neglect Of duty On
the part OF the critic has had its natural effect
upon our young people. To the great major
ity OF them, music Is not an art, but merely
an accomplishment or adonment, as impor-
tant as fine or fashionable dress, ,but not more
so.