The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-05-11
His Impressions Of American
Institutions.
PERPLEXING JOURNALISTIC Amenities
What He Thinks Of Music and
the Drama.


head OF his special branch OF musical art and, as
a consequence enjoying tho acquaintance and inti-
macy of most OF the artistic celebrities Of Europe,
would have much say upon music and the kindred
arts that was entertaining and instructive more
especially far his adopted country France. IS
concerned.
With view OF cliciting such opinions and observa-
tons these subjects as the great composer might
III 10 communicate HERALD representative called
upon him yesterday. II would be difficult to exaggerae
tho easy but refined genaiity the wit grace polish
and acumen OF the man whom the outside world knows
only as the greatest living composer of cpsra bou1s
He cordially welcomed the HERALD man, and, after an
interchange Of the ordinary cwtcs, said that he had
noticed with great pleasure in the various representa-
tives of the press whom he had met, and with whom
no had convcrsed complete absence OF those jealous
les and chickering's which tho banc Of journalism
In France to-day.
"And yet,'' said tho HERALD man. "hcy have
very decided views both POLITICAL religious and other
wisen
THAT may be- but doubt whether you have among
you the same acerbty OF opinion as our journalists
have in France You have, it IS true, democrats and
republicans among you; but what arc such shades OF
opinion when compared with the strong party lines
which divide legtimsis, orlearsts, republicans
md BonapartistsY They actually disappear. ITO
gentleman the rooml- Do you think It possible to
get four representatives of different journals iratcr
harmonic in PARISH
Certainly not, said tho gentleman appealed to-
with significant shrug Of the shoulders.
HAPPY FAMILY
..By the way" said NJ. oGenbach, ~ must tell
you that down the HERALD Office to-day and
was greatly pleased and surprised at all saw
.'rhe best time to It," said the HERALD man, s'is
just the presses begin running or the rst edition OF
the paper.n
s'That should imagine and shall certainly takc
carly opportunity OF doing So Ito the gentleman
above mcntioned)-My dear fellow, In Paris have
really no idea OF what newspaper Office villc-
messant thinks the Office Of the Figaro considerable
thing; but in comparison with tho HERALD olco Il
like cottage to palace. There is Attempting
describe these things you must them tor your
solL"
eMy purpose In calling upon you, N. OGenbach
was, If you VIII kindly allow me, to get your opinion
with reference to the present condition Of France in
regard 10 -"
swell, Think II may be safely said that France has
fairly recovered from tho material prostration
from which she suffered AMER her struggle with Ger
many But there other dcep scated results from
which, think, II would DO bold to say have thor
oughly recovered These partly what should call
political results and Of these should prefer not
speaking at present"
THE DRAMA LITERATURE
ION these heads sir. II was not my intention to
trouble you but the HERALD thinks that the people Of
tho United States could learn much with regard 10 the
present state Of the arts music the drama and era-
turo from eminently qualified authority your
self"
'.Ah, see what Won wish. Well. 70 answer your in
direct queston in general terms. inclined to
think that outside what merely material France Is
passing through period Of decline .decadencel"
"Do you think that opinion holds good OF music ?"
wASrED-MusIcAL MUNICIPALITIES.
"Certainly. l would not be understood to say that
the general level of musical culture mas not risen In
France during the Inst fifteen years II has But 1t
has been unaccompancd by the appearance OF any
responding number OF great musical ndividuaies II
IN the latter regard compare present condition
with what VIC were thirty years ago We shall see how
far we have rcro2radcd II Is true we have Gounod
what arc these in number compared TO the constea-
ton IN which shone such men as Boiledieu, Adam.
Mcyerbeer. Halcvy and twenty others that could
lis there any reason which you can ascribe FOR this
falling OF in the number OF great musical PERSONAL
tiesS''
al cannot say there s except that men seem 70 fol-
low nature, which nj times 10 overproductive and
again rather nggardly in her gifts. II Is true Gounod
almost mute ever since"
"Do you think that the attempt to copy wagncr's
about this rcsultf'
wAGSRR's MusIc
q" think u has Wagner's music In tho 0rst place,
totally unsuited 10 the French temperament We can
not enjoy 1t aud we cannot write It. That Deep
structive music, which seems 10 tnboo melody can
never live In France and no Frcnchman can ever hope
to succeed IN It. Verdi tried his hand NJ II and failed
signaIly. HIS Aida is his opera which will first die.
The French character and temperament require melody
In music. such have had with my various
works attribute largely 10 the facility such as II may
be, which have for writing melody This no amount
] n n m E a IA
hardly nnv writer's OF melody IN France. might
with The exception OF Gounod and Thomas, say none.
II We lind We cannot produce fine original melodies
that Is reason why should cndeavor TO copy the
German style OF music unsulted TO our musical tenn
winch there plenty-Xozart. Rossni. SC. or even
Beethoven"
sThen you arc OF opinion, too that the present de-
cline 10 the numoer OF great musical composers 70 DUE
IN large measure. TO the ancctaiion Of tho uans-
Rhenanc style OF music"
'sCertainy. But there another OF mischief
IL Is that men VIII insist upon writing music TO
subjects and themes which do not square either with
their natural musical bias giits Men who could
could write crcdtabe light opera VIII insist upon writ
Ing masses and 50 on all round the compass II may
surprise YOU TO hear that have written masses my
self; but was and am well aware that my forte did
not lie in that direction. should write thousand
Mozart's Requiem shis D'is,aklng OF powers and
gifts is prolific source OF the musical hamilton under
sad Inv oea, bow is s that with the enor
resources Of ths country you have nothing here
correspond to the great conservsores Of Europe ~
81 thiuk, y said the HERALD man, 'tba the reasons
for such iacune are complex: they would seem TO be
partly political, partly social. in character
s'Let me anticipate your explanation You were GO
ing 10 say. you not that republican institutions
were hardly so favorable 20 such growths monar-
chcs, where the whole power Of country for founding
and supporting such things III the hands Of king
emperor who could use II for the CREATION OF
great centres OF musical education, instead OF
being scattered through thirty different States and Ter
rtcres ~
'sThat was my idea,
There Is undoubtedly something in H. but America
Is fully capable any monarchy OF founding
great institution right here the city New York
Here the monarch " The people They will and do
do anything The only thing required to select
oil the very highest musical ability and
capacity, IN whose integrity the people have impcit
confidence. Place such ut the head nf H. have
ARMY and well governed AID muuIiiccnty supported
by the nation, and In given period your conservatory
would cqaai that OF ANY country IN the world. Hut
the conditions have mentioned are absolutely indis-
pcnsabe.'
II wnlll moi be fnxin1 xnnr courtcsx ina mncl,-