Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-10-13

p1tcn OF songs.
The death of Charley Backus, who was
SO we'll known IN his minstrel life with the
celebrated San Franciscos," has made
way for some changes in that organiZa-
ton. Ths management passes to Billy
Birch, who is now sole proprietor. Not
long since he opened the San Francisco
| Opera house, jammed with the old and new
patrons of this ideal burnt cork COM pany.
Their overture is immense. Eight end men
to make fun. 1t is made evident by the
large portrait of Mr.. Backus over the Eox
Office that Birch does not wish his old
friend and associate to be forgotten.
After hearing from all quarters it is with
out doubt fact that Pratt's opera of
"Zenobia" of which 80 much has been .aii
is a failure. 1t has been sat upon by both
press and public, and the would be "Wag-
ner" Of America has found it advisable O
wag his way back to Chicago, disap-
pointed, if not a wiser man. To jump
from piano teacher to composer of grand
opera is no small undertaking, and to
presume equality with man of Wagner's
genius is an assumption which
merits ridicule, and in this case
has resulted in a complete fiesco. It
was given IN New York under the auspices
of Max Stakosch the eminent impressario,
who had enough Of it the first night, but
Was persuaded by personal contribution
from Mr.. Pratt to continue 1t few nights
longer when it died dead. Els friends at
his old home, Joliet, have invited him to
give the overture at a benefit concert. It
is rumored that company is being Or
ganized to take road with eZenobia" as
the leading opera. We would like to hear
and form our own opinions as to its merit.
We have often heard it remarked, and in
| clined to believe that the general impress
| sion is that precocity is an indication of
intellectual weakness, that the youthful
prodigies are but settings for gems the
value of which they are incapable of ap-
preciating, and that after exhausting
themselves of their treasures they pass into
obscurity. Such is not, however, the case
We admit that by mismanagement,p poor.
teachers, ETC., tbs most gifted may become
so out of sympathy with their surround
ings that q dislike for everything of the
kind is felt. But when properly treated
they only who ale thus gifted beyond the
average can climb the dizzy heights of
| fame. We mention q few of
the many that could be cited
who have been considered wonders when
very young, who have grown both physical
ly and mentally until in the full vigor of
their manhood they have given US
lasting evidences of their greatness.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, when but six
years of age composed for the pianoforse,
and also made concert tour, playing at
Munich and throughout France and En-
gland. His wonderful fea5s were received
with intense enthusiasm. When twenty
five years old he composed the opera of
"Idomeneo," and yesr later "Die Entfh-
rung aus dem Serail," which created a
furoTe. During thirty-six years, life all
to short, he composed the enormous num-
Der Of 626 works, amongst
which are twenty masses,
forty offertoris, seventeen organ sonetas,
10 oantatas, % operas, over 100 erias and
songs, % sonatas for piauoforte,45 sonatas
fer piano and violin, II trios, 48 pieces of
chamber music, 40 symphonies, and 100
other pieces for orchestra, land 55 ooncertos.
From his first opera his works are all
highly classical and are monuments of q
splendid and enduring fame.
Franz Liszt, the king of pianists, when
Dut nine years OLD, attracued much atteD-
ton as player, and when IL years old
created the greatest enthusiasm in Paris,
London and IN Switzerland. he undertook
to do On the piano what Psganinni had
with the violin and realized his dream to
its fullest extent. As virtuoso he COM
mands a degree of mechanical skill hsth-
erto thought unattainable. He is remark
able for the deep artistic enthusiasm
which causes everything he plays to appear
as much the inspiration of the moment as
if it was spontaneous production of his
own. He has written largely for the piano
forte, and in the fifteen rhapsodies (Hun-
garian) he has lent artistic form to the
national songs of his country. He shows
himself an undoubtedly original creator in
his own line. He is also skilled author and
beside various entire works, has contribu-
ted essays on literary and artistic subjects
to newspapers. In 1861 he too holy or
ders at Rome. which accounts for his be-
| ing termed the cable Liszt."
Telephone Matters.
| PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 1.-THE negotia-