The Sunday herald and weekly national intelligencer., 1891-10-25
IN MUSICAL CIRCLES.

ing in what promises to be the most interest
ing musical season ever known in Washing
ton. The presentation of new opera by The
Agnes Huntington Opera Company was
noteworthy event, and we are promised sue
cession of such excellent musical talent that
lovers of harmony can have no cause for COM
plant of lack OF first-class entertainment.
Indeed, so many concert and opera companies
are booked at the theatres and concert halls
that It may perhaps be questioned IL ii be pos
sble for even a majority OF them to draw pay
ing audiences. Three or four years ago there
would have been no doubt as to the result
but It is gratifying to note that the develop
ment OF musical taste In this city has been so
great during the past few years that managers
of the larger and better companies no longer
hesitate to include Washington in their routes.
The Boston Symphony Orchestra, for instance,
lost money season after season here, and now
Washington is one of the best paying cities
included in its tours. The local organizations
are rehearsing with a xest evidently inspired
by the knowledge that to offer counter at
fractions to the visiting troupes they must do
extraordinary work, and altogether we may
look for very happy results
Miss Harriette Whiting, who is so we'll
known in this city, her home, 10 meeting
with the most fattering success with the Ap-
pleton Quartette, OF Boston, this season.
Four well-known members of the George
town, have recently organized as quartette,
which is likely to attain considerable promi-
nence in musical circles both from its
novelty-the instruments all being slide from
bo nee-snd from the delightful effect pro-
duced by the rendition of four-pnrt selections
within the range of the human (male) voice.
There is perhaps no instrument better adapted
for the rendition of such composition, and
thegentlemen composing the quartette, ,hessrs.
II. A. Stone, E. w. Williams, F. H. Barbsrin,
and L. a. Kruger, are all excellent perform
ers. They were recently heard at rehearsal
in several of Koschat's and Dudley Bucks
part songs for male voices, and sngularly
soft and harmonious effect was produced.
THE HERALD suggests that the club take up
some Of Mendelseohn's songs With ut words,
arranged as quartette.
Mr.. Perry B. Turpin has been selected as
second tenor in the Schubert Quartette to sue
ceed Mr.. Bird, and has already begun re-
hearsal in his new position. He will, how
ever, I'LL such engagements as he has already
made with the Apollo Quartette, which he
leaves to join the Schubert.
Advices from Boston state that Miss Maud
e. Wolston, who formerly resided in this city,
where her rich contralto voice is most pleas
antly remembered, is attracting much attention
on the concert stage. She recently refused a
most flattsring offer of an engagement with
one Of Stetson's opera companies.
That was delightful soiree musicale at
the White House last Wednesday evening,
and was another illustration of the thought
fulness and good taste of Mis-. Harrison in
engaging "home talent" Many of the society
leaders in past seasons have considered 1t the
correct thing to employ artists from New
York and Boston almost exclusively, appar-
emily being in ignorance that this city now
-
and in some respects superior to many of those
engaged from the other Cities and Mrs. Har-
rison merits the thanks of all Washington
musicians for her encouragement. Madame
Laura Schirmer-Mapleson, the s'star'' of the
occasion, contributed eight selections embrac
ing compositions of 80 varied character as to
afford ample opportunity for the display of
wonderful versatility in their Interpretation
She is an artistic of unquestionable ability-s
true dramatic soprano, and the impression she
made was most pleasing. Perhaps the mos
delightful of her selections were the two new
ones on the programme, serenade by Raft.
which is an exquisite work, and siIn del
Fremde," by Taubert. In the mad scene from
'sLucia" and a serenade by Gounod Madame
Mapleson had the assistance of Mr.. Henry
Jaeger, solo flutist of the Marine Band, whose
rendition of the obligatos was excellent. Mr.
Henry Xander presided at the piano through
out the recital, and his work was done In tn
mastery manner which is usual with thi
artist.
- y
Miss Margaret Blaine, the leading con
tralto Of st. Peters Church, has entirely re
covered from the effects of the serious in
juries occasioned by the runaway accden
last summer, and will soon resume her plac
In the choir.
Mr.. Frank Baxter has been engaged q
tenor in the choir at All Souls Church, t
succeed Mr.. Fred Knoop, who retires on tn
last of the month, after having served fo
seven years Mr.. Baxter has host of friend
in this city, who will be glad to have hiI
again take up his residence here and identif
himself with local music. His predecessor
Mr.. Knoop, has made such a singularly goo
record as church singer, that It is worth
OF remark. After many years. service a
Epiphany Church, lie Joined All Souls
choir, and we are informed that during hi
seven years engagement with the latter
has never missed a service, and has neVe
''had cold" There are few tenors who ca
show such a record.
Washington musical people are eagerl
awaiting the coming of the Minnie Hau
Italian Opera Company, which will appear
Albaugh's next week, and sing for the fir
time in this city Mascagni's new work, sea-
alleria Rusticana." No musical work of r.
cent years has aroused the enthusiasm evoke
by this opera by a hitherto unknown con
poser, and there are few American cities whel
the composition will be listened to with great
interest or appreciation than in Washingto