Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1878-06-18

markable ones are the most fire.
quent, are those in which it is the
custom to make a moderate use of
apure and natural wine at meals,
and where no one would dream of
taking lunch of pies and cakes
and remain most of the day with
no. more substantial food. The
popularity Of the American voice
in singing is, distinctively, mezzo-
soprano or contralto or baritone.
There is every prospect that this
class of voice may yet reach that
high development which will place
Americans at the head of this
quality of voice. Already num-
Der of artists have been before the
public who are fit representatives of
the oOntralto voice, among whom
are the sisters Adelaide and Mathil-
da Phillips, Annie Louise Cary,
Nine Sterling and Annie Drasdil.
OF the finer sopranos we have had
Nine Estcott and Albani and EN-
ma Thursby. Many suppose that
when young persons are discovered
who have fine voices they should
forthwith be sent to Italy, as
though the air of that country has
any influence to improve the vocal
organs and impart to the indi-
vidual in a short time something Of
the talent and vocal distinction that
have been represented beneath its
sunny skies. If that were the case
America has, in California, coun-
try as balmy and clear as Italy itself.
When Colonel Mapleson returned
from California, a few years ago, be
said: g / never knew that climate
SO pure and so much rivaling Italy
was to be found, as that Of Califor-
mia. America has there, truly, an
Eldorado for vOcalists."
The principal teachers for sing
ing in Europe to-day are San Giov-
ami and Lamperti, at Milan
Wartel, Mara and Mime Viardot,
in Paris, and Garcia, in London.
Besides these are Mime Marchesi,
who has gone to Brussels, and
Mime Artoto, who has taken her
place in Vienna. When it is con-
sidered that they have pupils con-
stantly in attendance for instruc-
ton, it will be wondered at that SO
few artists come from their studios.
A little over twenty-five years ago
Manuel Garcia turned out rare
artists in Jenny Lind, Maria Mali
bran, Nine Marchesi, and later
Catherine Hays, but with these
exceptions of the hundreds of pu-
pills who have been attending him
no one reached the summit of vocal
fame. Wartel has furnished only
the following artist-singers Nilsson,
Trebelli, and later Emma Abbott.
Nine Viardot, of London, has but
two successful singers, MILE ArtOto
and Mile 0rgenyi. Nine. Marchesi
has produced two great singers in
fifteen years, Nine Artoto and
Mile Gerster. 1t will be seen that
the teachers cannot create the
talent in the pupils, and only really
superior voices can make stars in
the musical armament.
These teachers will not accept
pupils with common voices unless
they are remunerated with large
sums of money. The charges for
a musical education in Europe are
not small items. At the Leipzig
Conservatory a good musical edu-
cation may be obtained for 500 a
year, while the Paris Conservatory
is free to pupils who have obtained
"a certain proficiency. But, nnder
o teacher, the expense will be about
four times that of the conservatory.
Some of the music masters in Lon
don charge at the rate of four dol
lars an hour. Few people knew,
while listening to Mime Ricci Mime
Knox, at the Grand Opera House,
and at Steinway Hall, lately, thatit
cost $25, 900 to cultivate her voice.
1t will be seen, therefore, that to 90
for a musical education to Europe
is quite an undertaking. 1t may
be asked, "Can a thorough musical
education be had at homer" We
answer yes, except for those who
wish to go upon the stage where
Italian opera is produced, and in
such a case it is necessary to spend
the last two years Of study in Italy,
where every opportunity may be
given to catch the proper accent.
With this exception, however, a
complete musical education may be
obtained in this city, where there
are a number of eminent teachers
who have made regulations in Eu-
rope, such as Max Mmetzek, Carl
berg, Bristow, Ernani and Mime
Silcr, Of Philadelphia, and one or
two others.
The time necessary for q musical
education is usually six years. 1t
has taken ten months to learn the
trlll, A vocal artist who has spent
the six years in study finds, gene
rally, that his whole life afterward
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