The bee., 1883-06-09
PUBLIC SINGING.
A Great Singers Views on the Progress II
the Power TO Appreciate Good Music Minds
by the American People.


the Power to Appreciate Good Music Minds
by the American People.
Christine Nilsson, in short article
. In the North american Reoteao oD
public singing. says ga
In my judgm mt, the Amcric an
people during the pa twelve years
have made wonderful progress in the
power to appreciate good mu ic. Thty ,
no longer accept a foreign artist
without question, solely on the
strength OF European reputation. 1t
Is true they will go once to see or hear
a person who haS made a noise abroad;
because they have money and probably
quite as much curiosity as other
people. But they will not continue to
patronize that which does Lot suit
their taste or commend itself to their
judgment. So far al my observation
goes, the appreciation of good music in
the principal cities of the United
States is fully equal to that of the
European capitals. 1t is evinced by a
deep sympathy which is felt at tie
very beginning of performance. In
the Eastern and Middle States the
audience appear to have more delib-
crate judgment, disposition
to consider and compare, be-
fore committing themselves to full
approval; but the response is hearty
and cheering wien it comes. In the
West and South it is quicker in its
expression. The musical cultivation
and judgment of the Americans are
shown in a prompt recognition of the
best passages they appear to realize
what is generally fine in the art. Mo-
zart, Beethoven, Meyerbeer anil Wag-
ner are as thoroughly understood here
as in European cities, and the express
sion OF appreciat on is stronger. Even
in small places L have been agreeably
surprised at the manifestations of an
intelligent enjoyment of classical
music.
This state of things is probably
owing to the fact that, in one sense,
there is so little rovincia'i:m in
America The Americans are gre
travellers ii have unequaled facilities
for travel. They think nothing of
going from one end of the country to
the other, whenever business, health
or pleasure demand it. And they re-
move their homes from one section to
another with almmt equal ca e. They
are at home everywhere. Brothers
and sisters live in the most distant
parts of the land, an scarcely realize
that they are not near neighbors. The
consequence is that one finds sub
stantially the same society, the same
institutions, the same education and
the same degree of refinement in
Chicago or st. Louis or San Francisco,
as in New York, Philad iphia or Bos-
ton. 1t may almost be said that there
is no intellectual metropolis; and those
differences in dialect, which make
sharp distinctions between people of
neighboring counties and provinces in
Europe, are heIe entirely wanting.
The abundance Of wealth in the
United States, and the spirit of enter
prise that does not fear to invest in On
a large scale in any worthy undertak-
ing, may be seen in the great number
of excellent halls and opera houses,
where musical perforG ances may be
rendered to the best advantage. / have
been as well satisfied with the acoustic
effects of tie rooms in which / have
sung in America, as with those of
European cities. 1t was a surprise
aud delight to find perfect gem of an
7
The Academy of Music in Philadelphia,
L consider second only, in acoustic
to the Grand Upara-housa
a. Vienna, which is the finest in the
world.