The Sunday herald and weekly national intelligencer., 1891-11-29
IN MUSICAL CIRCLES.

rhe all absorbing topic OF conversation
among musical people during the past week
has been the destrustion of the unfinished
Metzerott Music Hall and its effects upon
the performances scheduled for the earlier
part Of the season. That Mr.. Metzerott has
the sincere sympathy of every one acquainted
with the circumstances, goes without saying.
Ever since the building of this fine temple Of
music was first conceived, there have arisen
such a lot OF dishearteniug difficulties and
apparently unsurmountable obstacles Of one
KIND aud another, that less energetic man
would have long since abandoned the enter
prise altogether-and now comes this last
calamity with Its great Losses. Notwithstand
Ing this overwhelming series OF misfortunes,
Mr. MetZerott 10 not discouraged, but is going
on with renewed zeal toward the completion of
his building, the need OF which was never
moro apparent than now, ct the opening OF
the most brilliant season OF music that Wash
lngton has ever anticipated Arrangements
have been made with the management OF
Albaugh's Opera House ny which the per-
formance of messiah" by the Choral So
ciety, will be given at that place on December
II, and the first concert by the New York
Symphony Orchestra, Walter Damrosch, con-
ductor, December 12. 1t is confidently ex-
pected that the new hall will be ready for
the nnti-Lent season, when short and
brilliant series OF the highest claes OF enter
salHulenUS Will DC gwen.
The wonderful performance lately given In
New York by Ignace Jan Paderewski, the
latest yirtuoso to visit our shores, have set
Gotham's musical population wild with en-
thusiasm. The press writes in the verdict
that he is by far the greatest pianist since
Rubinstein in his best days. As Mr.. Pader-
ewski is very young handsome, graceful and
modest withal, he is sure to become an idol Mt
whose shrine we OF Washington must pay
tribute in our turn, for there is little doubt
that be VIII come to this city during the sea.
son. Would 1t not be well, with his pros
pective visit In view, for us to begin at once
to wrestle with his fearful and wonderful
name, that We may be able In time to pro.
nounce it without mental struggle?
recent number Of the New York Musical
Courier published extracts from an interest
ing letter written by Miss Maud Powell, the
violnist, whom we proudly claim as our own,
in which she details some of her experiences
while rusticating last summer. The following
is one OF them: SAT another time Twas visited
by a little barefooted negro lass, who walked
IN uninVlted, sat down, surveyed me calmly
from head to foot moment, and then with
out waiting for me to stop playing (I was
working on the Bachc Chaconne) she asked
me, In the cold, critical tones assumed by the
.husicol manaRer "nen Jne tremollng asp1rant
for fame and riches stands before him son
trial. whether | could play Annie Rooney.'
l played for her one Of Sarasate's Spanish
dances. When finished she remarked with
mild approval: That's a good tune. like
the PUNK, PUNK, PUNK (three pizz chords)
Finally told her If she would dance 1 would
play her jolly good jig. So for several
minutes the little black feet twinkled merrily
to the classic rhythm of Irish Washerwoman.'
The next morning while was at work she
slipped in very quietly, laid single hollybock
flower on my table and as quietly Departed
The production of "Pinsfore" at Willard
Hall by local talent under the direction of Mr..
D. G. Pfeifrer, of which mention was made
some weeks since, has been postponed until
January and Z. The delay will result bene-
fcially, as during the past few days the
chorus has been greatly strengthened by the
addition OF nearly score OF good voices