Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-03-23
IN MUSICAL CIRCLES
How Bandmaster Seusa Got His First o.
portuuity to Distinguish Himself .
Eject of Ysayc's Visit Upon Local vio-
linists-Matters of Interest to Those
Musically Inclined.

Il think can lay claim to having discov-
cred John Philip Sousa." said Mr. James
Mead. who was here managing the Lillian
Russell company. IT found him in Phila-
delphia, playing first violin In an orchestra
with a church choir 'Pinafore' company,
and thought him to be the man I wanted
to handle big 'Pinafore' company that
proposed to organize. I made him an Offer
which he accepted, and then got my peo-
pie together. Sousa made a complete new
orchestration of the opera, and we made a
big hit in New York and all through New
England. One night Sir Arthur Sullivan
heard the performance, and asked me who
made the orchestration. I told him it was
done by my musical director, Mr.. John
Sousa. He said he wanted to meet the
young man. and sent his card to John.
When he met him Mr.. Sullivan compli-
mented Sousa on his work and said 1t was
the bes. orchestration that he had ever
heard excepting his own. 1t was just after
his engagement with me that Mr.. Sousa
was made leader Of the Marine Band, and
his career since then you know all about.
A man with Sousa's talent would have
might have continued to play first violin in
an orchestra for months, or perhaps longer,
If l had not given him the chance to show
what there was in him.
The appearance here Of Ysaye, the great
Belgian violinist has excited renewed in
terest among all who play upon the king
OF instruments. Ysaye Is so far above all
other yiolinists Eow before the public that
he shows these students. and those who are
professionals, too. for that matter. what
the great possibilities Of violin playing are.
Ysaye's technique is SO perfect and every
mechanical difficulty is accomplished with
such apparent ease that 1t is hard for
those who have had no experience to be-
Heve that this result has been attained
@v1fyy l,,,, oR,,I to,
dustrious practice. There are in Wash
ington large number who play the violin,
and some who are worthy to take high
rank among professional players, while the
names Of Leonora Won Stosch and Maud
Powell can be given as violinists who have
gone from this city into the pathway OF
fame. 1t is not merely technique, how
ever, that makes a truly great player. He
must have the Intellectual power to grasp
the subtle beauties of an authors meaning
and the magnetism to .impart his concep-
ton to his audience. There are few vio-
linists in this city who. II they should de-
vote themse Ives entirely to solo work. would
receive recognition and praise wherever
they should go. MIR. Herman Rakcmann is
perhaps the best known Of these, and his
excellent work has been tested on Inany an
occasion. He has had the advantage of
instruction by the great Ysaye. and at the
concert on Tuesday night 1t was with
pleasure that he assisted in the humble
but necessary task of turning the music.
has already shown the possession Of de-
cided ability. Thus far he has been entire
ly taught and directed by his brother. Prof.
Josef kaspar, but this summer he will go
t. Europe to be further instructed by the
great masters abroad.
Mr.. Sol. Minister Is a young vfolinist of
ability who is too rarely heard upon the
concert stage Miss Heinrchs, who was
heard with such pleasure at Professor Kas-
paris musicale last spring. is now in Eu-
rope and making good progress. Among
CrandaII. whose development is anticipated
with great interest by his friends.
The Georgetown Orchestra Is making
preparations for its second concert, which
will take place after Lent and Conductor
Rakemann Is determined to present a pro-
gram that will surpass any that has been
given since he took charge. A Haydn SYM
phony will be the piece de resistance, and
progress made at rehearsals. in a manner
that will both surprise and crafty the
friends of that popular organization.
The coming of grand opera next week
Those who cannot afford to pay five dol
lars seat to hear ar Abbey. Schoeffel and
Grau company can now have an emporium
ity to hear grand opera In English at a
moderate figure. The notable companies
that have sung grand opera in English are
the Pyne & Harrison, the Seguin, the
Cooper, Caroline Richings. Kellogg. Parepa
Rosa, Emma Abbott, c. d. Hess. American,
Boston Ideals. Minnie Houk. Emma Juch,
Hirrichs and Tavary. OF these the most
elaborate representations were, of course.
given by the American Opera Company,
which was organized and carried out on a
scale OF magnifcence that could not pos
sibly last. The one who did most, how
ever. to establish English opera in this
country was Caroline Richings, although
the work of herself and her associates,
Castle, Campbell, Henri Drayton. Henry
Peakes, Brookhouse Bowler Ainsley Cooke,
Ted Seguin ard Zelda Seguin, is hardly re-
mi Of
theater goers.
With Clara Louise Kellogg were Nine.
Van Zardt, the daughter of Signor Blitz,
and the mother of Marie Van Zandt, and
Theo Hableman, the tenor; while with
Parepa were Tom Karl. the tenor. and
Santley, the great baritone. The Tavary
glish opera. AID with Nine. Tavary is the
phenomenal tenor Guile and an excellent
company that will present the opera in a
creditable manner.
All the details are progressing in very
favorable way for the success of the COM
ing reproduction of the opera of Si-Lootah
at the Academy of Music on April %. 1t
will be presented under the auspices of the
Daisy Chain Guild. of which Mrs. Archi-
laid Hopkins is the energetic president,
and will be for the object of raising funds
to further the contagious hospital project.
The efforts of these little folks under the
guidance of their president, have met with
many rebuffs and reverses on the part OF
the District triumvirate" and public gen.
orally, but they are not at all discouraged
on this account, and are going ahead
steadily accommodating funds. and when a
favorable opportunity does present itself
there will be ample in the treasury to
build a hospital that Will be a fitting and
lasting monument to their efforts. So far
as the opera Is concerned, everything is
moving along at an even rate, and by the
time the date of the event arrives all that
needs be done for it's success will have
been completed. The cast, as completed, is
as follows: 81 Lootah, Mr.. James Watson;
Laughing Eyes. Miss Alice Judson: Rose,
Miss Mary Helen Howe; Harold Mr.. VIII
Mooney; Edward, Mr. George O'Connor;
Bristling Bob, Mr.. Felix Mahony; Yellow
Bear. Mr.. ]. ]. Fisher; NeschilIa, Miss
Mamie Esputa; Lump-on-the-top
head, Mr. Jas. A. Mahony; Heap-jag, Mr..
C. F. Roberts; Tonic Beer, Mr.. A A.
SoIsa.
The male members of the chorus of The
Three Dukes have formed themselves into
a musical organization for the purpose of
giving burlesque performances of works to
be written by members of the club. The
constitution prohibits the production Of
works written for a mixed company, but it
does permit the production of such works
in company with ladies who may be invited
by the members to take part And 1t is now
understood that they will in the near fu-
ture carry out the original program with
regard to the operas of the Messrs, Harris