The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-12-12
MRS. THURBER HERE.
Head OF the National Conservatory Gives
Her Ideas.

Her Ideas.
For over five years the National Conser-
yatory Of Music in New York has been a
monument to the fidelity, musical intelli-
gence, and liberality Of Mrs. jeanette NJ.
Ihurber. This institution was begun by
her, and 10y her many efforts for the develop
ment Of music in the United States she has
attained an International reputation. An
excellent critic and passionate lover Of
music. the cOnceiying and carrying out OF
such "A gigantic undertaking nlled the
minds of all the music-l0ylng people with
the greatest admiration, and many were
the doubts expressed for a satisfactory con-
summation of the scheme. But il has sue
ceeded; decidedly so.
Like the most famous schools Of Europe,
the Conservatory started with one branch
(yoice), training young singers for the
operate stage, but within the past two
years all branches Of music have been add
ed. Among the fOrty-odd professors who
are tutors in the Conservatory are: Signor
4. Salpio principal of the vocal department;
Mrs Belbe LawtOn. OratOriO; Mr.. Gustav
IIlnrichs, ensemble and operate chorus;
MIR. Rafael JOseiiy, pianist: Mr.. Daniel
=. Warren, organ; Nine. Camilla Urs0,
violin: Mr.. W. Y. Holt elOcuti0n and die
ton: SgnOr PretiO Cianeli, Italian. With
this array OF musical talent, it can easily
be seen 10 what a high standard the Con-
serYatCry has reached.
Mrs. Ihurber also has the honor and
credit Of being the originator Of the Ameri-
can Opera Company, which for the first
tine in America presented the master
WORKS OF grand opera III the English Ian
guage in satisfactory manner. Through
bad financial management, 1t ~ SAID, but
10
impossible for the company 10 exist. This
is the company which gave so exquisitely a
few seasons ago in Richmond, Faust"
"LOhengrin," and The Queen of Sheba."
NATIONAL CONSERVATORY.
Mrs. Thurber's latest work in the musical
field was taking the first legislative step to-
wards the establishment of National Con-
seryatory OF Music at Washington, and
this week bills were introduced both in the
Senate and House of Representatives for
the incorporation OF the institution. They
aree free from the objection that would
meet bill involving an expenditure of
money. tor they do not and will not in any
line ask for an appropriation from the Con-
gress. All Of its resources and expendi-
lures are to be met by endOwments CT vol
untary subscriptions from art-loving per-
sons i'm all parts Of the country. The plan
of the incOrpOratOrs is 10 establish a mu-
steal university i'm Washington and branch
IS in the leading cities Of the different
states. The present National COnserYa-
tory, Of which Mrs. Thurber is president,
will be one OF the chain Of musical schools.
Among the incorpOrat0rs named in the
bill are Mrs. Jeanette VI. Ihurber, Will
liam G.. Choate. Chauncey NJ. Depew,
Abram :. Hewitt, and Frank X. Lawrence,
y hi. md
Enoch Pratt. Mary land; William III. Payne
and Filzhugh Lee, Virginia, and olive Rls-
lev Seward, John Hay, ;. 4. Langley, An
thonv Pollock. &. II. +. Rodgers, and John
NJ. Schofeld, District Of Columbia.
AT THE EXCHANGE.
Mrs. Tburber is now in Richmond, at the
Exchange Hotel. and a reporter Of THE
TINES called On her yesterday. In answer
TO the question what was her object In be-
ing In Richmond, Mrs. Thurber replied: T.
rest lew days, and, perhaps, to feel the
musical pulse Of the people.
.What do you think ofthe Southern talentg
1 notice amongst your list of students seye-
raj flom Virginia and many from the other
Southern States"
"lesr Mr. Thurber replied, "Mirabeau
said there are none but men Of strong pas
siOns capable Of going % greatness; none
but such capable of meriting the public
gratitude believe that YOU have much
more musical talent in the South than we
have in the North.
"You certainly have many lovely voices;
but, You know, IL Is one thing 10 have ine
voice and another know how to use IL.
IL have a cage in New York, and will he
happy il the South will furnish some birds
for the seml-annual examination, the first
week in January. 1891"
Mrs. Thurber then asked about our local
organizations, and added: IL see that Miss
Decca sings at the Richmond Philharmonic
concert. Is that society OF recent datew
Yes "IfMiss Decca sings as well as she
did at the Inaugural concert in Lincoln
Hall, Washington, last winter, she will de-
light her audience"
HANDSOME WOMAN.
Mrs. Thurber Is strikingly handsome
woman. The has dark brown expressive
eyes; her hair is worn similar to Mrs.
Grover Cleveland, and her mouth and chin
denote that determination and "go-ahead-
ness" that has made her the wonder Of all