Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-03-29
THE MUSIC WORLD,
First Leave of Absence the Marine
Band Ever Had for a Concert
Tour of the Country.
ITS PITTSBURG PERFORMANCE.
A Chorus of Two Hundred School Children
to Be Trained for the Assistance
of Miss Decca
SOME FRESH GOSSIP FROM MUNICH.
Budget Of News That Will Interest the Lovers Of The
Art Divine HeresbOuts.
ITS PITTSBURG PERFORMANCE.
SOME FRESH GOSSIP FROM MUNICH.
Budget Of News That Will Interest the Lovers Of The
Art Divine Heresbouts

The only way in which our Government
has been in the habit of officially patron
izing music has been in the maintenance OF
the Marine Band at Washington. As an
nouneed in these columns some weeks ago,
this hitherto lonely national musical or
ganization has secured its first leave of ab-
seuce for a concert tour through the prin-
cipal cities, including Pittsburg. There
will be two concerts here on Saturday,
May2.
A bit of history may be in place just here.
The pamphlet prospectus of the tour must
bear the responsibility for the facts:
The United States Marine Corps, consisting
of about 2000 members, was created in l79S as
an adjunct to the Navy with headquarters in
Washington. The Band of the United States
Marine Corps which is the official title for that
organization, dates back TO 100 years ago. when
Is Italian musicians we're enlisted and stationed
in the Marine Barracks, in Washington, for
general musical service there and at the
Capitol Several German members were shortly
added, and the band met with varying favor for
some time. Some of its earlier leaders were
Prof. Carusi, Antonio Pons, who recently died
at over so years OF age: Prof. Trei, who died in
the service, and Francisco Scala, now retired.
1856 and the musicians were not classified till
a few years later. Then there were three
classes now these have been reduced to two.
General Grant was warm friend of the band,
and during his administration the mem
bershp was increased to Sc This was cut
down in 1878 TO 40 members by Secretary of the
Navy Thompson. Some additions have since
been made, and now the national band has
nearly SO members; and the bill favorably re-
ported to the House of Representatives a few
weeks since will increase this number to Y
members besides making other provisions for
the best musical talent.
The Marine Band is regularly on duty from
$50 TO L o'clock every morning at the Marine
Barracks, where public concert is gwen every
Monday. During the summer months concerts
are given in the White House lawn every
Saturday, and when Congress is not in session
Wednesday concerts are also given at the
Capitol. Besides these regular duties the band
is subject TO summons for all Presidential enter
tainments inaugural balls, official receptions,
festivities, ceremonies. etc.
The present director, Mr.. John Philip Sousa,
WHO is the seventh in the career of the band,
was appointed ten years ago. under the Hayes
administration; and his great abilities as a con-
ductor and composer have placed the Marine
Band IN the very front rank Of national bands
OF the world, and made it the pride of the Navy
Department.
The members are enlisted as Marines and
classed as musicians, and entitled to retiremen.
for old age or pensions for disabilities received
in the service. All have to be subjected to the
most rigid physical and musical examination,
U
strIctest discipline is maintained the members
all taking pride in the military character of
their organization, and, furthermore being
prompted by the kindliest consideration and
esteem for their distinguished leader.
The band will be accompanied on this
tour by Miss Marie Decca, who is known
in private life as Miss Johnston, daughter
Of Judge Sanders Johnston, of Washington.
Miss Decc9 is q Marchesi pupil and has
achieved success In opera abroad. This season
she has been gaining signal triumphs in her
concert appearances in our Eastern cities. Her
quality is well remembered il Pittsburg from
her former appearance here with the Marine
Band two years ago.
Pittsburg is TO have the last two concerts of
this interesting tour and Mr.. q. E. kepple,
the local manager, is arranging to make the
concerts here form grand finale. A chorus
Of 300 school children, drilled by E.
E. Rinehart, will assist Miss Decca
and the band in number of
patriotic songs at the matinee. For the even
s-Grand Presidential Concert" and hopes to
Justify the name by having the programme
selected especially from the compositions
played at the White House receptions, etc.. and
by having prominent citizens join him in invi-
tatiOns to President Harrison and Secretary
Tracy.sO handsomely gotten up and so urgently |
worded as TO induce one or both of these ee- |
vated gentlemen to be present. Whether this
be effectual or not, the occasion promises to be
exceedingly enjoyable at all events
Mr. Frank E. Saddler, writing from Munich |
under date of March ], contributes the follow |
ing interesting musical gossip:
Ferdinand Langer's long expected and un- |
lucky opera, ''Murillo" has been given at last. |
Its frst misfortune was TO fall into the hands |
of Fisher who made several large cuts. Then |
Won Perfan threatened to make more cuts. |
The rehearsals proceeded on a rather uncer. |
tain basis till Levi finally cut odt
about an hour Of flower girls, peddlers and |
sundry unnecessary and unnteresting things. |
Then the Archbishop put in a protest |
against the studio scene IN the second act |
where the Holy Mother (merely model how |
ever,) jumps down from the platform and does |
q fandango to mandolin accompaniment. |
The result of this interference that the |
model, instead of appearing in the robes of the |
sacred character, was attired merely as Span |
ish maiden.
The first night" was of course owing to all |
this notoriety played to full house, and num- |
Der o. very generously inclined people insisted |
OG calling the cOmpOSer-who mad personally 1
conducted-betore the footlights. though they |
had TO do so amid 4 storm of Kisses from those |
who could not conceal their disgust. 1t is 1
without doubt the most uninteresting, tiresome
and uncalled-for opera that the Royal Theater
has been guilty of.
Why was it given at all? Well, the intendant
in Munich Carl Won Perfall, has in the capacity
Of composer penetrated short opera called
sJunker Heinz" As il tendaut he accepted
"Murillo" and put ii in rehearsal; and LANCER
the composer Of "Murlllo," as conductor of the
Mannheim Theater, will, PERHAPS see that
"Junker Heinz" finds place on the repertoire
there. 1t is. plain case of zone good turn de-
serves another"
Mascagni's little "Cavalleria Rrsticanar is
still great drawing card though those who go
10 see 1t more than oncetan their name is legion
cannot tell you why they go, except that the
music does not sound like the German school,
or the French school. or the Italian, but simply
like MascagnL If he can retain the freshness.
originality and individuality shown in this
opera in his future works, his name will shine
brighter than VerdTs.
For this month tMarch), we have two novel;
ties at the Royal-''Cid," opera by Cornelius.
the writer OF the beloved Barber of Bagdad,"
and Iiszt's oratorio "Heilige Elisabeth The
latter work will be performed in costume and
is already creating much excitement in musical
anu theatrical circles. The next Odeon concert
with the ROYAL Orchestra introduces to us two
novetics-Chafnier's rhapsodie "Espa1a" and
g tone-poem. "Don Juan," by the young Richard
STRAUSS. So The musical springtide opens the
quiet city Of art.
CrOtchets and QuaverS