The Sunday morning news. [volume] (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1886-1891, 1891-01-04
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
Interest in the Coming Appear
ancc Of Xayer scharwenka
Stage Notes.


XAVIER Scharwenka, the famous
composer and pianist, will make his
first public appearance in this coun-
try at the Metropolitan Opera House,
New York, on Friday afternoon, JAM
uary 20, and Saturday evening, JAM
uary 24 The Metropolitan orchestra,
under the direction of Anton Seidl,
will assist him, and there will be q
chorus of mixed voices under Frank
Damrosch. His appearance here IS
awaited with much curiosity and
interest.
Xaver Scharwenka belongs to q
family which has won the highest
distinction in the musical world. He
shares with his older brother, Philip,
the honors of international fame as q
teacher and composer, and beyond
that occupies place in the first rank
as piano yirtuoso. His name was
well known on this side of the Allan
tic even before he paid his brief visit
to US in August, 1880. when he came
as visitor and not in a professional
capacity. His reputation as founder
and director of the Conservatory OF
of Music, in Berlin, which bears his
name, is based on the success OF an
institution from which very many
promising and brilliant American
students have graduated during the
past decade.
His high place in the musical world
was won, however, several years be-
fore he established his famous Con-
.servatory. He is three years younger
than his brother Philip. He was born
in January, 1850. at Samter. in the
Prussian province of Posen. In 1887,
when his family removed to the cap
ital of Posen, Xaver attended the
Gymnasium, and showing love for
music at that early date, took piano
forte lessons from the Cantor OF one OF
the churches. in 1866, when the Schar-
wenkas moved to Berlin, Xaver en-
tered kullak's famous Neue Academic
der Tonkunst, studying piano under
the elder Kullak. and composition
under Richard Wuerst, having as
companions andsfelIow students Nor
itz Moszkowsli and Nicode.
After completing his studies Xayer
Scharwenka was appointed one Of the
professors at Kullak's, and after four
years of hard work and earnest study
he gave his first concert at the famous
Sing Academic, of Berlin, when his
talent and ability received immediate
recognition. Since then he has made
no less than 1877 public appearances,
in Germany, Russia, Austria, Hun
gary, Sweden, Norway, Belgium and
England.
The list of XAVIER Scharwenka's
works embraces 90 numbers, among
them are a symphony Top. 90, in Q
minor which was given under Mr.
Thomas by the New York Philhar-
monte Society, in the season of 1885
piano quartette, two trios,
two piano concerts, q violin
sonata, a cello sonata, and a grand
opera, "Mataswintha, portions of
which will be heard on the present
American tour. OF his Polish
dances, it is said that no less than a
million and half copies have been
sold on this side of the Atlantic.
Herr Scharwenka holds the APP
pointment of Court Pianist to the
Emperor of Germany. He is one of
the most thoroughly representative
men of the modern school of German
musicians, to which belongs his
brother Philip, Moritz Moszkowski,
and Jean Louis Nicode.
A Story of Mark Twain and Elsie Leslie.
Little Elsie Leslie, who appears
here in Prince and Paupern next
Monday at the Academy, probably
receives more care than any other
little girl in the city. All those who
are in any way connected with her
love and admire her charming little
ways. The eyes of her sister, who is
Queen Elizabeth in the play, follow
her wherever she goes, and it is no
ticeable that when Elsie is saying her
lines, Dora's lips often move too in
repetition of her words. Elsie was
asked the other night if she found her
part IN the prince and Paupern a.
difficult one. II like it better than
sFauntleroy,' she said, because
there is ever SO much more acting.n
Yet the part is longer one than
Hamlet. At the first rehearsal OF the
play. Mark Twain, the author said to
Elsie, what beautiful hands you
have. They will do excellently
for the Prince, but | am afraid they
will not suit the Pauper How will
YOU disguise thein?n Elsie replied.
thoughtfully, mot at all. Your
book says the Pauper was exactly like
the Prince. If Tom CAVITY had had
ugly or dirty hands they would have
known at once he was not the Prince.
You see, good way to tell ladies and
gentlemen Is to look at their hands,
and Toms would have been noticed
right off if they had not been clean.
Toms hands must have been clean,
for he had just changed clothes with
the Prince, and according to your
book the change had only been just
made when the guards appeared. So
you know Tom would not have had
time to wash his hands. They really
must have been clean always, Mr..
Clemens, don't you think sop
"Weli, . responded Twain, II had not
looked at it in that light uJust
look it over" the child returned
gravely Matinees will be given
Wednesday and Saturday afternoons
and little Elsie will appear at each
performance.
Jacobs Hoboken Theatre.
Lizzie Evans. one of the brightest
and most natural condolences on
the stage, will appear at this house,
commencing at the matinee today, In
her new version OF 'Fogg's Ferry. ;
The play was originally written FOL
Minnie Madden, who starred in it one
season. Since then Miss Evans has
- u u. l.. A.. -