St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-01-19
Glowing Compliment Paid St.
Paul Music by a Fine
Critic.
Ladies Whose Musical Accom-
plishmenJs Are But
One Charm.
Soprano and ContraIto Voices
Often Heard With Great
Pleasure.

PauI, which L had regarded prior to my
arrival in it as place in which it would
be extremely difficult to draw large
audience to a classical entertainment.
The success of the Balmoral choir peo-
pie attributed to the fact that the
repertoire consisted chiefly Of old fam
liar ballads, charming at any time, but
Infinitely more so when presented by so
thoroughly able a company. During
my visit in st. Paul" continued the
tenor, 81 have been entertained most
charmingly in many st. Paul homes,
and as [ remarked previously, was
surprised at the beauty of many of the
voices heard, at the culture they ne
trayed, and the general interest found
everywhere in things musical. 1t was
a surprise to me, l assure you, to discover
that the choir of a st. Paul church
ST. Mays church, [ mean-bOasted
soprano than which have never heard
clearer or more sympathetic, though
some of greater range have come under
my notice. | was introduced to the
lady, Miss Alice Shave now Mrs. Nc
1ver), and at the risk of offending her
will say that in addit on to her charm OF
voice she has profile almost perfect.
Miss Shave is one of the most attractive
ladies | have met in America. | head
and saw her sing GOunOd'S Ave Maria
and the effort was superb. That st.
Mary'S church choir was a surprise to
me, for it is composed of the very best
material. With the advantage of an
able leader the choir 1 speak of should
become something more than
LOCALLY FAMOUS.
There is one other young lady, mem
hQy of thn choir and
also, who sings wonderfully well and
is the posseSsor of remarkable voice
for SO young singer. She cannot be
more than fourteen years old. think,
at the most, and | am afraid for her.
1t is mistake to allow child of that age
to sing at frequent Intervals, or, in fact,
10 sing at all, pieces which involve a
terrible strain on voice which cannot,
at her age. have attained its true bal
ance. Many times and oft such in
discretion has proved disastrous
as singer. [ also visited
the Christ church choir, and met with
surprising degree of excellence there
also. Do you know there is very pc
culiar idea in existence in the East re-
garding the condition of musical mat
tiers in the West. | was told by the
managers Of several companies IN grand
opera that there was absolutely no de-
lnand for high-claSS music in the Twin
Cities. L suppose during my visit here
| have been a guest at twenty repre-
sentative houses. In no one of them
could | discover a lack of interest in
music, and most of the young ladies L
have met can discuss, and very crit.
ically. too, the merits and dement's of al
most every opera that was ever written.
Aside from this, the class of music l
have seen in the houses and the man
ner of selections given at soirees and
musicales is sufficient Indication of the
musical status. [ think Mrs j. &. Tar
box has very fine soprano voice. |
have had the pleasure of hearing her
several times, as | have also Mrs. Bry-
ant. Both these ladies are highly Gull
tured vocalistS, and though there is
marked difference in their voices both
ARE EQUALLY PLEASING.
I have heard Miss Helen Davis in
contralto selections. She is the possesSOr
of a very pleasing voice, sympathetic
and sweet. [ think her stately bearing
adds greatly to the charm of her singing.
Miss ThurstOn is a clever alto, and
by the way is remarkably clever
pianiste. Talking about pianists. |
think there are very few who for eX-
pressiveneSS and beauty of touch can
excel Mrs. David Day. | think she is
10y far the best player have heard in
the city. 1t must be added, however,
that Misses Stickney and Lindeke and
Mrs. John W. Merriam are very fine
players. Among the other pianists |
have had the pleasure of hearing are
Misses Hattie Gotzian. Nellie Auerbach
and Mrs j. j. Parker. There are many
others whose names L cannot recall at
this time, for the reason that there are
so many whose merits as performers [
consider about equal. There is degree
of musical culture in st. Paul which is
undreamt of in the East. This is what
| call gem city. Aside from the must
cal perfection | have found here. must
remark that have never seen SO many
beautiful and accomplished girls and
women in a place of equal size. L don't
see what any one wants to leave
st. Paul for TO reside ia any European
city. For my part, though the discov-
cry of this beautiful and favored spot
has been made too late in life for nv
adoption, | should like nothing better
in the world than to settle down with
my wife and daughters on the borders
OF one of your beautiful lakes, and end
my days here. l am charmed with the
country and its possibilities: surprised
and delighted at the wonderful develop
ment | see land sorry beyond expression
that so pleasant visit as mine has been
cannot he indefinitely prolonged. If l
find it practical l shall Bring the Royal
Aquarium Concert company out here
next season. | consider it the finest
company in London to-day, and [ feel
sure that st. Paul people would turn
out to hear them"
MANY SONG BIRDS.
Prof. Walters is not alone in his glow
ing estimate of the SANITY City and its
pretty songsters. Their name is legion,
and it is needless to remark that the
professor has not met five per cent of
the local talent. Miss Grlggs, who is
now in Portland, has very sweet and
powerful cOntralto voice, and Grace Gill
bert, if one can summon resolution to
shut his eyes TO her beauty and give his
whole attention to study of her voice,
will be found TO possess one of the
sweetest sopranos extant. Miss Gilbert
is now away in Florida, which is Flor
ida's gain and Minnesota's loss.
This is city of sopranos. May Nor
ris is a soprano, and there are some
who would rather hear her sing than
listen to the vocal gymnastics of Patti
or Albani, the writer among the num-
Der.
Kitty Gillian is another young lady
possessed of an extremely sweet and
clear soprano. and Miss Sue Harrington.
who formerly sang with the choir OF ST.
Paul's church, is another soprano. and
enviably popular young lady as well.
Mrs. Rittenhouse, Mrs. Gale. Miss
Brisbin and Mrs. Parker are all con-
traltos, and all sing charmingly.
Miss Carrie Burtis is the prettiest girl
| in st. Paul, the possessor of a divine
contralto, and as modest as a Swiss
| peasant girl.
Mrs. Gale plays the harp, and plays it
wonderfully we'll. AS stated Some
| months ago, the popularity of the harp