The morning call., 1894-04-26
MUSIC AND MUSICIANS.

Switzerland, so long mute as iar as haliouai
composers are concerned, has at last con
tributed musical manifestation 10 the arr "a
the end OF the nineteenth century. IDe latest
star in the constellation of modern opera'lc
writers is announced 10 be Jacques DeietoLe'
the writer of musical idyl in three acts Oh tue
libretto OF Philip Godet, another SWISS, VINO
drew his plot from the pretty novel OF ahie'
by q. di Peyrebrune. But the hbretto, al
though written In splendid verses. is also oe-
clared to be the bitterest enemy OF the COM
poser, for anything less likely to take on the
stag. 1t would be hard TO imagine. Inc STORY
of "Yane" is very simple. Some crank mas lele
q thousand forms in the hands OF the munich
palty of a certain village, ordering them 10
select girl who is to have 1t II she marrles
within month. Yanie, the village beauty, Is
given the first chance, and she chooses her
lover, Natalie, handing the money TO ber father
to ray his debts. This, however, Is tod IN
three acts-three long acts-durng which the
poet grows painfully prolx. But for this lack
OF action "Yane'' would have been jewel OF
spontaneous arr. great future may be ex-
pected for the composer. whose work was en-
Enthusiastically received In Geneva.
Franchetti. the composer of "Asraep and
columbus" has met with a new success In the
production OF his opera, "An Alpine Flower"
(Fior d'Alpe), at the Scala, Milan. The work
was not so suited to the vastness of that classic
theater as his two former operas. Indeed, IL
was Immediately seen TO be more ldealistic
than grand, but "Flor d'Alpe" was well re-
ceived, and Will probably create Juror 10
smaller theaters. The illustrious musician has
tried 70 translate on the stage the Nostalgia
for the Alps, which is sometimes known TO be
physiological fact. Maria, the heroine, who Is
married TO a wealthy Italian marquis. can no
- f.a, fhaa fa nol ua NJ he
native Sayoy-and thereby hangs long and
dramatic plot. Much of The music OF Flor
d'Alpe" Is very melodious and beautiful. Fran
chetii is essentially italian In the clearness OF
his melodies, the sponl aneousness oil MS mar
monies and In the gusto and sentiment Oh MS
work. He Is very modern and somewhat orlgi
nal in the development OF his themes. III he re-
peats any phrase he does it analogously 10 the
process OF the 'Leit Motive" without, how
ever. engulfng himself in the systems OF other
composers, least Of all Of Magnetism.
tits sad again to have TO say OF Gilbert and
Sir Arthur Sullvan-alas! they have been
friends In youth, ETC., not 10 mention middle
age but whispering tongues can poison truth,
and TO be wroth with one with whom we nave
collaboraled doth. etc. In short. Utopia" is
to be the only fruit of their reunion. The re-
ported little rift within these collaborators'
their taiked.of productions. The next new
opera at the Savoy Theater, London, will mot
be by Sir Arthur. Mr.. Carte. the well-known
manager Of that colbert and Sullivan" resort.
has had to arrange for a foreign article for his
next production-one by Care and Andre
Messenger.
IL is positively announced that Mascagni
will finish his connection with the publishing
firm OF SonZoguo, that first discovered his
talent, and at the end OF the present year will
write for the house of Ricordi. Leoncavallo
and Franchetti are also writing operas for
Ricordi. The former has not yet determined
the title of his new work, but Franchettps Will
probably be based upon the adventures OF Don
Quixote (Don Chisciotte). Add to this that
Puccini Is engaged upon his Bohemian Grip
Ono relation to Balfe's lady OF that nance and it
will be seen that the present year is to be
prolific one for the lyric stage.
A New York writer observes: "Let the Wag
ner societies die. Richard is himself now.
There is no moro need OF societies to convince
the world that this mans works are worth at
tention. The Wagner music drama has become
an acknowledged part OF the repertory of the
greatest opera houses In the world, Including
that of the once anti Wagnerian Paris. Ros-
SIM societies are needed much more, Tor II
something is not done pretty soon everything
the once famous Swan ever wrote. except
william TelP and III Barbiere,' will have been
forgotten"
London critic observes: 1--WE are not
musical nation. Everybody says so, and what
everybody says must be true. But II this is
fact. why does the public prefer Gonnod to
Balfe aud Wallace? Without pausing for
reply let ME record that Faust recently drew
such a crowd that hundreds were sent empty
Ktlx- hnF mn
single star artist in the cast. while al Bales
Bohemian Girl there were empty seats in all
parts of Drury Lane"
Madame Calve, at present singing In New
York. has been telegraphed to by NJ. Caryalho.
and has agreed TO sing the title role In
"Mignon" on the occasion OF its one thousandth
representation at the Opera Comque. Paris.
where. as 1t is stated, M. Ambrose Thomas,
its composer, will be raised to the dignity OF
Grand Cross Of the Legion OF Honor-a distinc-
tion that will also be conferred upon The
maestro Verdi during his present brief stay In
Paris.
CoDcetta Monari, a new pianist, has ap-
peared In Italy. She Is a pupil OF Martucci,
and, although barely II years old, Is said
already TO possess extraordinary Virtuosity.
Her execution In OF the most finished order,
sometimes recalling Sophie Menteri. AT re-
cent concert In Milan Signorina Monari PLAYED
selections from Bach, Beethoven, Rubinstein,
Martucci, Schumann and List, winning enthu-
siastie applause throu ghout the programme.
Before crowded house, and amid eDthusas-
tic ovations, Nine. Aibani recently made her
appearance at the German Opera IN Prague 10
"1ravata." and as Elsa In "Lohengrin"-tbe
first time she has sung on any German stage
outside Berlin. Queen Victoria. with whom
she is great favorie, sent her an autograph
letter of congratuati0n from Florence.
Mrs. Gotcashe (engagng an orchestra)
What's the very best music you play? The
leader-Um. Well, suppose the very best
thingswe play are the Beethoven symphonies.
Mrs. Gotcashe-Very we'll. l want you TO play
lot OF those throughout the evening, one for
each dance. l won't have anything but the
best, yon understand.
Senior Manuel Garcia. the famous teacher OF
singing and brother of Malibran and Viardot,
entered QDOD hIs ninefiefh year fortnight