Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1884-1886, 1884-11-02
MUSIC AND THE DRAMA.
A Weekly Review Of Music, Arts and the
Drama. Prepared Expressiy for the Eagle.

There is nothing 10 report in the dramatic
line at the opera house in the past week,
companies having been crowded out, or more
correctly speaking, frightened out by the po-
litical attractions that are holding the boards.
They are hard competitors to fight and we
commend the good judgment that steers clear
Of them.
AT THE FAIR-The musical features Of the
Catholic fair have already been satisfactorily
commented on and want of space forbids
summary report.
OUR Musical GRowTH-Some time ago q
young man called at our office and in the
course of conversation wished to know IL
Wichita were desirable place TO locate in
the interest of music. At that time WAS
not prepared to answer him from any as
sired knowledge Of my own, but having
made up my mind from general observa-
ton. that Wichita was about the best place
in the country to locate in any line of busi-
ness. | soon made him feel that he had found
the proper place
Nv journalistic conscience, curiosity Tor
what you will) prompted me to investigate
the matter and ascertain if had not given
the young man jot too much encourage
ment Mrs. Russell was referred to as being
musical landmark, and sought her out,
hoping to get some desired information,
Although / found her surrounded by an
abundance of work, she graciously spared
portion of her valuable time and gave me
few surprising details, one Of which was,
that when she came here ten years ago the
number of pianos in the place did not ex-
coed one dozen. We find now by the as
SCISSORS statistics that there has been very
creditable increase, musical taste and culture
tl.
Being able to execute and appreciate the
"Mollie Darling and "Birds in the Tree"
class of music, was the average height Of
musical attachments at that time; and an
epoch was certainly marked when Mr..
Brocket astonished the town by adding a
Chickering grand to its list Of curiosities.
Now we are so accustomed to the constant
influx of all kinds of grands, squares and up
rights that we haye grown quite blase upon
the subject, and consider them as necessary
us a kitchen table.
In an interview with one Of the teachers
of our public schools, learned that out of
fifteen hundred pupils in the city, not more
than forty or forty-five who are in the high
school, receive anything like technical in
struction in the rudiments Of music. When
We consider the fact, that perhaps the ma
jority Of these pupils will rarely be called
upon TO exercise their knowledge Of mathe-
mates, geography and history; whereas,
scarcely day passes in which knowledge
Of music does not come into play-in family
worship, the social gathering, at church,
Sabbath school and prayer meetings-in fact,
in almost every department Of lite, it is ben
efcial if not necessary, We can but con-
clude that the subject of musical instruction
should receive more prominence in our pub
lie schools.
Mr.. Steffec's energies in promoting this
feature of school education cannot be too
highly commended. He proposes through
the combined efforts of himself and pupils,
to add the luxury of piano to the school
in the near future. 1t is project that will
not fail to command the interest of all
parents, as well as every enterprising citizen,
and elicit from them the assistance II de-
serves.
There are many other improvements and
defects in this direction with which hope
to acquaint myself. My researches so far
have not been very long or very deep, but l
hope to be prepared to give the young man
when he calls again (if he ever does) points
that will highly color everything | have al
ready said.
McCULLoUGH-Warrc Davenport adj
vances a theory in Freund's Weekly with
regard to John McCuloughs illness, to the
effect that it is an outgrowth of an abnormal
use Of his voice, rasping and distorting it
until nervous prostration has set in.
Observation-Disclosures is another case
of physical break down. She is compelled
TO cancel her dates on account of throat
trouble.
McCAULL-We understand McCaull will
produce "Desiree" at Philadelphia this
month. Having had the pleasure of hearing
some OF the choice selections from the origi-
nal score, We are prepared to recommend IT
to all lovers of light opera. Mr.. Arnold, of
Steinway Hall, will soon have it in stock.
MATERNA-Frau Matcrna has been espe-
cially engaged to appear in the coming sea-
son of German opera in New York. Nature
gifted her with very wonderful voice, but
an unprepossessing face and figure. She
weighs 80 pounds. She is the greatest liv
ing artist in the Wagnerian class Of music
SALvINI.-The great Italian tragedian, is
about to pay another professional visit TO
America.
MoRRrs.-Clara Morris receives $4,000
for a season of some thirteen weeks. We
remember the time when she received 50
per week in the ballet of the Cleveland
stock company. She has been bard stu
dent and worked out her own success.
kELLoGG.-Clara Louise Kellogg is much
opposed to the idea of singing to American
or English audiences in language save the
English. We wish there were many more
who felt the same way.
PALMER.-Pretty Minnie Paliner's success
was thrust upon her. She went to England
one year ago with very little stock outside
of her prefty face She returns 10 us Ia
dened with diamonds and bank account of
100000