Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-05-05

N ~ NJ
pleasant recollections Of the event in the
annals Of our local drama.
THE MENDELssoHN CLUB
had an existence of seven or eight years
previous to 1877. It did much toward
.cultivating a taste for lyrics among youth
full players and vocalists, and also toward
the creation of fondness formusic among
those who had no ambition to become
artists. A round number of our best mu-
sicians and finest singers were aedglings
under the wings of the Mendolssohns.
Through its auspices our first operate
musical feast was brought before the pub
lie in Flotow's brilliant and charming
OPERA OF MARTHA,
which was first presented early in April,
1877, with a chorus of forty voices, and
with Mrs. Czapski as "Lady Henrietta
Durham" Miss Hattie Collinsa as "Nancy,"
her maid, Mr.. Legler as "Sir Tristham,"
Mr.. a. Refs as "Plunkett," and VIM.
Warren as "Lionel." The opera was
given under the direction of Professor e.
Levy, material aid having been rendered
by the experienced teaching of Processes
Perring. -Four years previous our first
grand musical success was publicly given
in the cantata of Queen Esther, in which
Miss Barnett, of Columbia, Tenn, Miss
Sallie Lynch, now of California. and 9TH
err prominent ladies had leading charac-
tiers. The opera of Martha proved a great
success and was the first complete opera
performed here exclusively by amateur.
The opera was given without orchestral
features, and it made a great hit, in
fact, was deemed IA rich musical treat.
Mrs. Czapski had long occupied nm emf
nent position in musical circles and was
our soprano a~ssoluto for several years.
Miss Hattie Collins, now Mrs. Lamb, a
bright-eyed and very beautiful girl, made
her public debut in Martha and divided
honors with Mrs. Czapsh on the occasion.
The great success Of Martha caused the
same musical circle to place Bales beauti-
full
BOHEMIAN GIRL
in rehearsal. and this exquisite opera was
presented November 5, 1877, in brilliant
style. Miss Jennie Magevney appeared
in the leading part of Airline The di-
vine Jennie, who went to the angels a
year ago, could run her rich, musical So
prano voice up and down the entire chro-
matte scale with such wonderful precision
and distinctness that each note and trill
rung clear and sweet as if her melodies
were aided by the birds she initiated so
well. Miss Magevney was regarded as a
marvel in vocal circles, and her frail ply
sique alone kept her from standing high
above her associates as u lyric artist. She
line as she had been as queen Esther"
several years before. Mr.. George Cashier,
Il tenor whose fine voice was discovered
by accident, was trained for "Thad-
deus" Mr.. Warren made Il clever Flor
%estein,' n. Petersen was c0mical and fine
as "Devilshoof," while w. j. Steele had
his first musical success as Captain of the
Guard" Miss Jennie Jones appeared as
the "Gypsy Queen" displaying intense
dramatic power and marked vocal ability.
This was indeed Miss Jones first publicly
acknowledged success. On the second
night of the Bohemian Girl Miss Hattie
Collins sustained the role Of "Arline" in
the most charming manner, delighting
everybody by her splendid acting and
her beautiful singing. Miss Kate Har-
man performed the "Gypsey Queen "
to Miss Collins airline" stepping at
nee to the front as a lyric star on the
occasion. Miss Hartman had sung her
first song only three or four years before
that. She has since won high favor rs an
an accomplished vocalist, and is Athletic
occupy the position of leading soprano at
one Of the largest church congregations in
st. Louis. The great success Of Martha
and the Bohemian Girl, both given with
out orchestral aid, stimulated a slight
rivalry previously engendered, and other
musicians Immediately set to work to get
up
FRA DIAvoLO,
one Of Anber's brightest compositions.
An orchestra, and a full one, was deter
mined on as a part Of the features. Prof.
@. p. Winckler took the lead in the
movement, and last spring presented the
opera in its entirety, a fun chorus and
orchestra lending strength to the enter
tainment, aud attracting the attention Of
all circles. Miss Jennie Jones sung with
great power, and invested the leading role
with Il fascination that at once placed her
at the front as a soprano. The great sue
cess of Fra DiavolO caused the participants
to visit Nashville and Little Rock, where
they were received with every demonstra-
ton of public favor. The Memphis Opera
Club grew out of Fra Diavolo, and during
last summer Donizetti's Daughter of the
Regiment was placed in rehearsal. Its
recent illustration here, when Miss Emma
Russell and Miss Kate Hartman al~ternated
in playing the leading role, each with
much eclat, and winning many laurels. is
fresh in the minds of all. 1t was in Fra
DiavolO, given q few weeks since at the
same time, that Miss Minnie Hunter, a
lady not yet seventeen years old, sprung
forth as u sweet-vOiced star of brilliant
lustre and bright promise, one who is
likely to become a song-bird par excel
lence among our local amateurs. The
Daughter Of the Regiment and Fra Diav-
olo were both given with all Of the embel-
lishments including orchestra and chorus.
Mrs. Mansford was also one Of the bright
est ornaments Of both operas. The opera
cf La ~Sonnambula was under rehearsal
last summer by the Martha Club. but II
was laid aside aftertho sickness broke out.
and was not resumed.
THE BILLIE on SARATOGA.
A pleasant operatta was given by the
German Casino some weeks back at their
hall. The prima donna Of tbs occasion
was Miss Emma Voegelli, a new star in
vocal circles, and she acquitted herself
with much credit. Even her intimates
had no idea that she possessed SO much
ability either in histrionic or in vocal ex-
cellence. Several others also performed
and sung well on the occasion. The Gu
sino have a very fine hall, arranged with
a good stage and scenic garnishments.
They are able 10 put on drematlo ar
operate pieces IN good style, and there il
much talent in their circle. The Memphis
Club have a new theatrical room capable
Of holding nearly 1900 people. Their
stage arrangements are perfect and ar
ranged with all modern ornaments and
eonyenienoes. The club has talent among
is members, and all thoy gttGmpt viii be
crcditable alike 10 themselves and their
Qucsts.