, 1874-04-12


! Dclmonico, and the other an E1igtlshE:u called
t Cooper. These rival performers mot one night
| at a Restaurant, and dispute arose between
/ them respecting the ferocity Of their respective
| animals, when DolIuoniCo informed Cooper COZ
temptuously that his lions wero mere ahecp.
Cooper replied by offering to exchange cages
with his rival. I1e offer was accepted, and an
exhibition was arranged whereat Cooper was to
enter the cage OF De}monico's Lions, and vice
| yerta. But unfortunately for the seekers after
! excitement the vito OF De:nonico became 30
| terrified at the idea Of the danger her husband
was abont to run that she laid the matter before
| the Prefect Of the Police aad persuaded him to
| interfere. The lion-tamer'a name had succu-
| lent suggestion which the poor woman thought
| Irresistible to the savage animals.
MUSIC.
Tho Beethoven Society gave it's third recer-
ton to it's associate members at Btandard 80
On Thursday evening last. the hall being
thoroughly filed, and the Society turning out q
larger lumber Of active members than on any
previous occasion. The vocal numbers were the
kyrie from Beethoyen's Mass in . Bargiel's
"sprinS Night for sopranos and altos Men
dclssohn's "On the Sea-; Abt's ''Eyenng
Song" and ''Woodb.1l -; and the AIarch and
Chorus from s' 'Tannhauser." OF these numbers,
the ''Spring Night" and "Woodbird" were the
most creditably performed, although the Society
is entitled to great praise for the manner in
which it took the tempo of the Mendelssohn
song, and for the expression with which it gave
it. The Society now has given three receptions,
and may be said to bo upon its feet and going
alone. a little friendly criticism, therefore, may
serve to set its feet in the right way, and prevent
it's adopting errors which, it persisted In may
prove incurab1e. Tho sopranos and altos are in
comparnbly the strongest and most effective
parts Of the chorus. The voices are young,
fresh, and Of good quality, and the singers dis
play more than ordinary musical intel
Ggence, although, Us IN every musical
society Of mixed voices, there are some ThO onIy
add to tho effect OF the Society numerically
These should be gradually weeded ont: Tho
basses lean upon two or three voices, which il
unfortunate, as the bass i5 the foundation, and
should be strong, secure, and compact, Tho
tenors are the weakest, not only IN quantity OF
voice but IN qualify apd 70 tnis part Of s % Or
attention. Without Strengthening of these
weak spots, both in volume and tinbre, it IL I'M
possible to do justice to such q work as the
Beethoven hyrie, for instance, where tie har-
mony is 80 full however zealously the singers
may strive. Another radical point which should
be made by Mr. Wolfsohn il the production OF q
pidnissimo. Piano ia not pianissiil0. neither il
.Jortissino forte, and until these extremes are
conquered, it will be difficult to make proper
musical effect in expression To achieve per-
fcction in these is tie result OF long practice !;
but the Society has studied long enough to make
nicer distinctions than it did on Thursday night.
On the whole, as fur rs tho vocal numbers arc
concerned. the Society showed that it il taking
no steps backward, and, if it has the true musi-
cal grit to subject itself to wholesome discipline
and hard study, and to devote itself to music as
il there were no receptions to be given, it will
take i high place, and prove an invaluable
We arp conndort that Mr.. -Wolfaohn
himself is thoroughly in earnest, and that Ills
devotion to music is sincere and honest. II his
society seconds him as it should, he will achieve
ment usi Of mixed society fof tl.e prosnotioa u
the higher works Of music. Tho instrumental
parts OF tho programme we're the Rubinstein
trio for piano Orolfsohn), violin (Lewis), aud
fDich1n); and tia Belle Gfi=clid;s,'' 4 brilliant
duo OF Keinecko's for two pianos (11rs H. L.
Frank and Wolfsohn). The selections wore good,
Why give the Lions share of the programme to
tho instruments? The Rubulstcin trio, placed
No. in the programme has threo long move
mcnts. One Of these, the Andaute, for instance,
would have boon sufficient, and would not hare
wearied the audience. In future programmes
this should be re1nedied, and in future perform
auces Of concerted numbers Mr. Wolfsohn should
also bring the piano down to its proper place.
and not cover up the other Instruments. Let it
be III reality q well-telnpered cavichord-" Tho
Rubinstein trio is severe enough Of itself to be
digested at q single sitting without COM
polling the violinist TO saw with all his
muscle, aid the poor ccllist, who
has the best parts Of the trio, to sht IN order to
get them hearing. We have thus indicated, in
no unffiendly spirit, what seem to us to be blem
ishes The Society is now old enough and strong
enough, and its Directory energetic enough, to
act and to place itself upon that basis which
pleasant receptiohs, but creditablo and import
ant work in the future, such as is achieved by
the Eastern choral societies. It is in a position
to do this. There is no other mixed society
here, and it has skilled musician at it's head.
1t Gun afford to begin work for the future with
large and high purposes in view. There is no
roason why Chicago should not have q Handel
and Haydn Society.
MAsAN1ELLo.
It will be pleasant announcement to those
who did not have an opportunity to hear the fine
performance of - ''Masanlell0' by the Llcde--
tranz, that another chance will be given them,
as the Society has completed its arrangements
to bring it out again at McTickers Theatre on
inst. Az Mr. Dischof las already recovered
himself, and il saving his voice con-
scientiously for these two perform !
ances, in order that he may mako |
amends for his failure at the recent
closing performances, We have every reason to
expect an admirable representation on these
e1tra occasions It is due to tho Society also |
that it should be richly repaid for its outlay and
its hard 1abok IN preparing this Work-a LABOR
Which none can appreciate except those who |
have been through it. We hope, therefore, that
the theatre will be crowded on both these occa-
sions. In this connection We may state that tho !
recent announcement In mornlDS paper OF = /
jealousy between Mrs. MISUNDERSTANDING
and Miss Kenkel manifes.ing itsan IN the
recent performances is without tue slightest
foundation. We are assured from competent |
authority that there is Dot syllable Of truth |
in it.. ......
TIE CAROLINE n1cH1s0s-BEnSARD CONCERT
That interchangeable little woman who has done |
40 much for both the drama and opera in t1is |
country, Caroline Richings~Bernard, is to appear
tomorrow night before her many admirers in this
city, and she has host Of them, in quite new
role. Having helped to inaugurate and to after
wards popularize the English Opera movement,
and BY her energy and perseverance. overcoming
obstacles that would have daunted sorae Of the |
veteran managers. she now has begun to culti-
yate musical field which, Il not altogether new,
has been SO long neglected as to almost entitle
her to discoyerer' right
,rra u;chinos, n,7,-r,nsa ia yery noble one and !