Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1893-06-05
NO Music IN THIS
Three Americans Lose Their Rea-
son at Milan.
THROUGH ITALIAN cuPIDITy
Coasul PcOper Reveals . nAockins
state ~ Amir In Mia M.
stcal OonssryasorisA

WASHINGTON. June l.-Gsorgs w.
Pepper. United States consul At Milan.
Italy. has made an interesting report
upon difsicuities encountered By Amssi.
can musical students In Italy. Mr..
Pepper Gays that the great majority Il
young students Who 90 W Milan 10 I'm.
ish Oh" return 70 their homes In few
months without having received great
benefit and disillusioned - 10 the
merits Il Italian mssters. and he there
upon proceeds 10 give some advice - 10
how this disappointing result may DO
prevented
The selection Of . teaches be says
''is one II the most difficult problems
which confronts the new arrival. Nov
that the two most fsmous, San Giovanni
and Lamperti. are dead. there are ldO
others more or lee celebrated from
whom 20 choose Young women who
are wrongly allowed 70 cons alone 70
this country are here confronted by an
other difficulty. social etiquette which
forbids their taking lsssoo unlsss
third person be prcsent. and which con-
dennis their appearing in public alonc.
This custom 10 gradually giving way TO
moro liberal views. but the vcxstiola Of
IL has even recently subjected several
young American women b the most an
noying prosecutions
They Return Home.
THE price Of lessons is on an average
SD per month. rent Of piano el.D per
month. and board go per month. ltal-
ian lessons 20 ceuts an hour. But how
ever well they may be equipped and
however strong the efforts of these
young people. they are little prepared
FOR the disappointment which awaits
them. After they are regarded as sui
fcient to appear for the profession. they
find that the time and money they have
already spent will be utterly fruitless
unless they take at least one more years
study. At this point. q few being re-
fused further help from friends at home.
or realizing that their talent does not
justify them in further effort In this di-
rection. abandon the profession and re-
turn to their homcs In three years,
however, out Of several hundred musical
students. have only known Of five TO
adopt this course. Out OF the hundreds
who have come to have their voices
trstcu. Ouiy ouo W W. NuO"ic ukc tc-
ceived an honest verdict from the mas
ter to the effect that the quality OF her
voice did not justify her in commencing
lessons Unfortunately. the majority
are led to believe that they are destined
for a successful career. They remain
from month to month and year to year.
continuing their lessons and waiting Tor
engagements"
Mr.. Pepper says there is not nearly
50 much villainy and falseness on the
part OF the '.impressarioe.' or agents
who procure engagements as we are led
to believe Though disappointed singers.
but he admits that these men are de-
ccitful in their dealings. One person
who has been their customer for eight
years has received only three engage
ments.
Three Made Mad.
Three cases have been brought 10
Mr.. Peppers attention where the cupid
ity Of the muster in wishing to keep his
pupils for long time in order 10 con
tinue to receive their money. caused dis
appointment that resulted in the un-
settling II the reason 81 all three.
Wrong ideas with regard to the cheap.
ness Of living in Italy is also another
reason for the failure of students. many
Of whom think that board can be had
30 cheaply that they bring insufficient
funds This. says Mr.. Pepper. is one 81
the primary causes Of financial discour.
agement and failure. No one can live
comfortably In Milan for less than Co
per month. including Lessons. and yei
the majority come with an income much
less. Many hope to enter the royal con.
servatory where tuition is very low. but
few Americans succeed in doing 50. a.
the conditions for entering are very
strict. No one over ~ years OF age IL
accepted. or one who has not some
knowledge IL the Italian language. Ou
Of 100 American singers now residing
in Milan. not one has succeeded in en-
tcring this year.
The majority Of the Americans have
been in Milan for more than year.
number for more than five years. New
York. Ohio and California send thu
greatest number. Tbs quality Of thci
voices in purity and range 10 said to sur
pass those Of other nations. but the fec
il apparent. says Mr.. Pepper. that no
more than five per cent Of them affair
| great success on the stage.