The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-01-17


Bride OF Messena," was sung last season at the
Academy OF Music. and very well received.
Like all operas written by semi amateur musicians
the bride OF Messena" although melOdic and
graceful. Is suggestive or a great many other
operas 1t was sung by Nine. Pauline Canissa,
soprano; Mile. Lamara, contralto; Herr Kronen-
berg, tenor, and Herr Remmertz bass, assisted
by well drilled chorus and orchestra, under the
direction OF Mr.. BOnawitz.
Mr.. Bonawitz's new opera, sOstroenka," was
produced last month at the Academy OF Music
before large and friendly audience. "0stroenka"
is an Improvement upon "Tne Bride OF Messena!'
IL mas more force and originality Many OF Jus airs
is rom ne history OF Poa and mas con-
siderable dramatic spirit The quartet was com.
posed Of Nine. Lang ziegler, Mile. Lamara and
Herr Remmertz sang the title role. The perform
ance came very near coming TO grief through some
Mr. Bonawitz's musical friends, hearing OF his
difficulty, came to the rescue to the number OF
learned their parts IN less than twenty-four hours
and sang in the place OF the oostreperous profess
sionals' giving the utmost satisfaction.
Phadelphias claim to being musicai city ID
probably based upon the NUMBER and excellence
OF It's amateur performers. 1t Is given as reason
why musical entertainments are not better pa
tronized there That the people have al the music
they want IN their own families. However TINS
may be there Is another ana strong reason-a
Phladelphian Is slow TO part with doilar. me
opera cHets and sigh ol the days when they
heard Brignoii, Gazzaniaga ana Amodio for aty
cents
and viii tell you that they cannot swallow all That
New York bolts down aud calls good music. There
certainly is great deal OF music and culture in
Philadelphia. There issscarcely family In which
there are not one or two members who sing well
perform upon some instrument.
Best known among the musical amateurs OF
Philadelphia Is Miss Emily Schaumberg. who Is
reputation as s.The Belle Of the Quaker CITY" she
has soprano voice OF unusual cultivation and
briancy without being particularly sympathetlc.
Everything that money and Intelligence could do
for voice has been done for hers, ana with great
success. Aside from ner musical culture MISS
Schaumberg Is a very beautiful and accomplished
woman and no matter how many younger beau
ties spring up around her she still reigns as belle
To be known as the most beautiful woman in Phil
adelphia is no small distinction, Tor homey women
are the exception in That city. To be sure, the
pretty Quakeresses have not the style OF New
for the reason, probably, that they do not keep
such late hours, and. therefore, get more "beauty
Sleep"
The Countess Leonetti. although not exactly
Philadelphia, has lived in that city 80 long that
this article would be incomplete without me ntlOn-
ing ner name. Nine. LeOnetti was a Miss Alexlna
Chisholm, OF South Carolina, and was married
some years ago to the Italian Count Leonetti, with
whom She is now living at Florence. She has such
voice AS Is rarely II ever, found in an amateur
deep and rich as cello and as mellow
united thorough cultivation and SYMPATHETIC
quality that would bring the world to the feet OF
public singer. Nine. LeOnetti has also great
dramatic ability, which she mas sometimes dis
played in amateur opera singing The world loses
a great deal by this talented lady connning her.
self to private lie.
Phlladelphlan. amateur singers. She is the leading
soprano al st. Stephens church, but that Is the
extent OF her pubic singing. Mrs. Hlnkley clark.
Mrs. Gibson Peacock and Mrs. stephen II. Clapp.
Jr, are vOcalists OF rare merits ana generous
patrons OF the divine art.
Among panlstes Miss Wilhelm ranks f1rst.
She devOtes herself to classical and concerted
music, and Is q brilliant sOlOlst Her admirers
place her before Miss Mehig in the interpreta-
and classical paniste, and MISS Busch has an envl-
able reputation as q solo performer Miss Amy
Waugh, daughter OF the artist, and Miss Raymond
are among the best performers OF CHOPIN In the
although little more than students yet, belong to
a remarkably musical family and give promise or
being accomplished pianlstes.
Colonel OlIver HOpkinson mas the reputation OF
being the nneSt amateur viOlinist IN America. He
was Tor q long time favorte pupil OF VleuXtemps.
IN Paris and Is an honor to his great master.
His violin playing is marvel OF sweetness
and power; he gets more OF the tones
OF the human voice out OF his instrument than do
most professional players. Colonel HOpkinson has
who plays the vloloncelO with wonderful express
sion, although but lad. Rarely an evening passes
without little concert OF classic music at the
HOpElns0n mansion
class volinist. Mr.. George Allen Is considered the
most brilliant and classical viOloncelst IN the city,
and ne deserves the reputation. Mr.. Il. Crawford
and Dir Lewis brother OF the artist, are dexterl-
Gus performers upon the clariOnet.
OF amateur male vOcalists there are Mr.. F. Dill
lingham, tsnor Mr. Barnhurst and Mr.. H.
Nathans, bassos. Mr.. w. II. Boner, the well known
music publisher. Is also vocalist Of merit.
There Is an amateur orchestra In Philadelphia
called the Amphion. out 1t is not particularly sue