The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-01-17
MUSIC IN PHILADELPHIA.
PROFESSIONALS AND AMATEURS - WHY OPERA
DOES NOT PAX IN THE QUAKER CITY-BANK
NOTES PREFERABLE TO MUSIC NOTES
BIBLES AND BEAU WHO MAKE
THEIR OWN MUSIC.

Philadelphia claims to be very musical city.
but the miserable support 1t gives to musical
entertainments would not seem to make that
claim good One by one the musical organic atoms
die out for want OF patronage, and one by one
the musical professors leave the city where they
ind 1t so hard to earn their bread. Some years
ago concerts OF good music were given by the
Germania orchestra on saturday afternoons. but
they did not pay. Later. Mr.. Carl wolfsohn organ
tied company Of excellent musicians, with him
self as their leader, and gave some really ipe
concerts of classic music. But he found 1t losiag
investment, and, receiving q good ofier from
Chicago, ne left Pnlladeiphis in considerable dis
gust for the West where he Is meeting with
great success. Wolsiefer's Is the only orchestra
OF professionals now IN Philadelphia. 1t numbers
about ffty-hve pieces and Is made up partly OF the
old Germania and partly OF Wofsohns orchestras
The performances OF this orchestra are creditable
and they deserve much better patronage than
they receive. Not only Is home talent
discouraged but outsiders who venture
within the limits Of the quaker City are made to
suffer for their temerity. Theodore Thomas con-
certs and the Kellogg English opera are about the
only musical entertainments that are well at
tended. Mr.. strakosch lost fearfuly with his
Italian opera troupe this season. He did poorly
enough In New York, but in Philadelphia 1t was
much worse. He told a HERALD representative
that he never, In all his operate experiences, had
such small houses Even Abani sang to empty
benches, and on the OF nights there was no
audience at all You may be sure that he was
glad enough to get out OF the city,
SINGING SOCIETIES.
The Handel and Haydn Is the oldest singing
society in Philadelphia, and 1t Is the only one In
the city composed OF mixed voices. Its object ID
the study and production of classical sacred
varies from $50 to 300 Carl Sentz Is their leader
and Mr. Abbey their president They are now
studying Mendelssohn's est Pauln and Bennett's
woman OF Samaria," and propose giving con-
certs IN February ano April The rooms of this
society are at Ninth and Buttonwood streets.
The Beethoven society, founded six years ago
by Carl Wolfsohn, who was its first leader, Is the
next society in Importance. 1t has upward OF
100 members under the leadership OF michael
II. Cross The object OF the society is to produce
the sacred and secular works OF the great mas
tiers. The directors aim Is TO make the society
manent, and TO advance the standard OF musical
culture Mr.. Philip f. Wharton is the President
The society holds weekly rehearsals at Its rooms
In the Philadelphia City Institute Building, ana Is
now studying Mendelssohn's Hymn Of Praise.n
They viii produce the hymn at their next concert,
with solo performances and full orchestra.
The Abt Male Singing Society Is one OF the best
musical organizations In the city. IL has now
been In operation Tor eight years, and Is very sue
cessful It's rendering OF classic as well as lighter
music. some OF the best male voices IN the city
belong to this society. They win give three con-
certs this season In Horticulture Hall. Mr.. II. A.
Clark is the leader.
Another good society OF male voices is the
Orpheus. II numbers thirty members and has
Mr.. M. H. Cross for fts leader.
stii another society Of male voices Ia the xocal
Union OF which Mr.. William wolsiener is the
leader. II numbers about thirty members and
pays special attention TO the works OF Kucken,
Gade, Abt ana smart THIS society has been
established for NUMBER or years and has large
number OF subscribers.
BONAwTTz AND HIS oPERAs.
Philadelphia mas composer Ia the person OF Mr..
j. H. Bonawitz. who hAs receutlv produced TWO