The Portland daily press., 1878-04-24
Art Music: and the Drama,

Au CuluUurgu lazy sang ''GOQ save the
Queen" to phopograph in New York recently
and the tin foil was sent to England, where 1t
reproduced the tune, even to a false note which
the singer had given.
The Hungarian Academy 10 Pesth has made
known its decision in regard to the competition
for the Teleki prize for tragedies. OF the thir-
teen pieces that were offered for competition
the prize will be awarded to the least worst,
Tavora, by tile, provided that the unknown
author will allow the envelope containing his
name to Ee opened and his name to be pub.
iished, IN spite of the opinion that the examin-
ing committee expresses as to his Drama.
A 1nusical prodigy has appeared at Liverpool
in che person of a sx-year.old boy named Au-
xustus Savage, who displays a wonderful pro-
fciency upon the piano and great knowledge
of harmony. AT the age of three years and
half he began to play, aud at five years of age
be played number of difficult classical selec.
to7s in public. He can readily transpose any
ture into all desired keys, and can tell the
name of any note that is sounded on any in
strument without looking at the keys or strings
He Is now under the instruction of a compe-
tent tteacher, and will devote his life to music.
NJ Gustave Dore is going to place in the
Paris Exhibition his colossal vase, four metres
in height 1t terminates in a straight narrow
neck, on the brim of which children are seated
maintaining their equilibrium with difficulty,
being intoxicated by the fumes issuing from
the amphora. The body and pedestal of the
vase are adorned by little Bacchanaliau figures,
men, women aud children fauns aud dryads
led by Silenus mounted on the back of croco-
odlle, and entangled in flowers and foliage
covered with butterflies, mice, weasels and
lizards also intermingliug. 1t is strange,
tnnn nuAn .aA.N L.A -
powerful originality. Every figure is study.
Gustave Dore is finishing another sculptural
group of quite difficalt and very classical
kind, The Prize of Glory-a young hero dying
beneath the kiss of Glory.
Auerbach's comedy in one act entitled The
Rsdeeming Word, has made good success in
Berlin. The .'redeeming word" which is the
kernel of this dramatic trife, Is that word
which burns upon the lips of all lovers, but
which feeling of shame OF timidity often
holds back. The hero, Professor Koenig, is in
love with the sister of his brother-n law, who
does all that he can to help out the modest
fellow. He gives q beautiful dinner and
serves thereat some exquisite wine which he
hopes will bring about an avowal After din
ner the Professor and his sweetheart are left
alone, but instead Of confession of love the
Professor INDUCES in long talks about Spinozs
and philosophy. After various attempts to
Offer himself in person have failed, the modest
man conquers the puzzle, aud telegraphs his
proposal to the parents of the girl he loves.
Aud 10 return the parents send ''rhe Redeem
ing WORD" which is joyful consent.
Vibert's painting of The Apoheosis of Theirs,
to be exhibited in the Paris salon, is of heroic
proportions, and represents the mortal remains
of the departed patriot lying in state. The
head, seen in profile in the boodless rigidity of
death, is an excellent likeness. About his
head are grouped the many decorations with
which his own country and the sovereigns of
other nations had honored him. At his feet
stands young woman in black; her droopipg
head is covered with a mourning veil, in her
hand she supports one end of a large French
flag. which falls down over the corpse. Itis
the Youth of France weeping at the feet of her
beloved dead. just above the catafalco an
angel with glded outspread wings points up
ward. In font of the body are scattered in
great profusion crowns of amethysts, one bear
ing the motto, "fo the President of the Re-
public" In the distance is represented q fu-
nersl-car drawn by plumed horses, and fol-
lowed by mourning multitude. At the right,
in the foreground, lies the form of slanph.
tered woman, a victim of civil war. Beyond.
Mont Valerien aud other forts are discharo
ing their cannon. The movement is dramatic
and the execution is worthy the fame of the
artist.
Mrs. Jane Rive Kings way of learning music
is odd enough: II just take piece" she SAYS.
"sit down and learn it with my eyes. After [
have fixed mental photograph of it in my
brain, go to the piano and teach it to my fin
gars 1t am uncertain in regard to a phrase
or combination, go to the piece again and
read the doubtful portion. 1 never take
composition to the piano." Asked if she ever
made mistakes she said, "No, indeed. 1t is the
same as if you had learned poem to recits It
would be impossible for 20 to drop letter out
of a word, of course. learn piece of music,
and instead of reading it with my lips, deliy
or it through my fingers" This is quite too
awfully smart, since Won Buow makes mis-
takes aud owns it, and Rubenstein never PLAYS
with absolute correctness. Even automata are
liable to get out of gear, but Mrs. King Is no
doubt more perfect than any automata.
She says that the "weight of my touch is lust
twelve pounds. The average of ladies' have
touch OF only two to three pounds. Thalberg
mad out four pounds, while Rubinstein reaches
hfteen. do not think any other woman ever
mad over O ten pound touch"
Not the least important requisite of "how to
siog song", is nerve. If the singer allow
nervousness to get the mastery it is impossible