The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1877-09-13
part of young womanhood is able to

learn.
To be a very ordinary musician-to
sing a little or play little on this or
that Instruments not much satisfac-
ton, especially when one acquires mu-
sic as an accomplishment with the in
tent and expectation of display. If one
take lessons and gain a moderate de-
gree of proficiency, having no other
thought or hope than to contribute to
ones own immediate friends, the object
is amiable and laudable; and it evinces,
moreover, an earnest and modest love
of music for its proper sake. But this
is not the aim of most of our music
teachers, the taught believing that they
shall shine in their art and awaken the
envy of their less expert associates.
With them it is generally an ambition,
and, unfortunately, an ambition with
out talent. They rarely. if ever, suspect
their incapacity; they have all the con-
fidence of that ignorance which can not
see how far it falls short, measuring the
attainable by their own limitations. AL
ways ready to show off, they prosecute
patience or politeness and torture the
ear, while they imagine they are win
ming laurels that are socially imperish-
able. Who has not some time endured
such martyrdom from these gifted stu
pidities?
The ambition of many American
women is measureless the smaller their
capacity the higher it scars. They are
carried by a desire to be professional
and grandly professional; they desire to
be a prima donna, and will be satisfied
with nothing less. Persuaded by their
vanity that they have the powers of
Malibran, Grisi, or Parepa, they look
confidently forward to stupendous til
umphs on the lyric stage. They spend
years and thousands of dollars of their
own, or of their too enthusiastic and
credulous Enthusiastically the latter-in
fitting themselves for the opera house.
They 60 abroad to Leipzig, Milan, or
Paris, and get all that study and instruc-
ton can give them. Glowing letters,
private and journalistic, are written
home from time to time, chronicling
their progress, and predicting their fu-
ture triumphs. By and by the eagerly
anticipated debut is made at Wurzburg,
or Forli, or Besancon, and it is heralded
far and wide as a prodigious and dazzling
success The predestined prime donna
returns to her native shores, and para
graphs appear in the society columns
and in the weeklies, felicitating the pub
lie upon the musical treat that Is in
store for all capable of appreciation.
She manages, through her friends, to
undertake Rosina or Amina at one of
the theaters, and several very kindly
notices in the press reveal her poverty
of performance by trying to hide it in
courteous phrases. She afterward sings
at two or three concerts, and her clique
of admirers sound her praises loud and
long. Then the great artist sinks out
of sight, and presently it is discovered
that she is salaried singer in fashion
able church, and she never rises any
higher.
How many American artists, for
whom every thing has been claimed,
have had just such an experience? How
many more will have it?
The most general and profitless form
of musical education in the Republic
concerns the piano. The American girl
who can not play on the piano, how
ever badly, is thought to have been in
adequately educated. 1t is of small con-
sequence that she should play with feel
ing, sympathy, or understanding, pro-
vided she can master the mechanical
part. Hundreds of young ladies, who
are pronounced accomplished perform
ers by partial critics, are so absolutely
wooden in their method that one might
think that machines could be invented
to do quite as well. They are correct
frequently; they strike the notes clearly
and exactly; but beyond that they have
no comprehension. Melody, soul, sug.
gestion, warmth, Interpretation, sensi
bility have no meaning to them; they
never guess that these are the essence Of
all music, that without these music is
misnamed. Such forced pianists, if they
would wisely employ the time they
waste, might learn to do other things
creditably for which they are fitted
But they must neglect what they NIGH
accomplish for what they never can ac
complish. Mental culture, social graces
aesthetic studies, even ordinary branche!
of education, must be neglected tina
they may have ample leisure to thrun
the keys of fifteen undred-dolla
instrument. They may not talk we'll
they may not be able to write toler
able letter; they may not be acquainte,
with the common facts Of history. Blu
then you should hear them play! Afte
hearing them once you think yo,
shouldn't, and you take measures neve
to be SO entrapped again.
| Whether you be bored by listening t.
the young ladies' music or not, you ar
annoyed by being talked to about it il
season apd out OF season. If you visi
their parents house, you are entertain