The San Francisco call., 1895-07-18

cultivation OF the arts as frivolous, If not sin
| ful, Is no doubt respen sible for the little re-
| speet which has hitherto been paid to music
as serious study in American universities.
Most of these institutions are still content to
let their musical students activity find expres-
sion in the singing of doggerel ditties, the
plunking of banjos and the twanging OF man
dolins. There are q few exceptions to this
rule, Michigan University being the most
bright and shining example of what can be ac-
comPlished when seat of learning shows
real respect for music. Not only has Michigan
| musical department., but with that as an
initiative agency it is promoting musical ac
| tivity which has already brought the little
town of Ann Arbor into line with some of the
largest cities of the East in respect to the prac
teal cultivation of music The town not only
enjoys concerts by the best American organi-
cations. such as the Thomas, Seidl Damroseh
and Boston symphony orchestras and the
Kneisel Quartet, but it hears all the travelling
virtuesi OF note and gives annually choral
festival OF most ample and dignifed proper
tions. Ali these things are made possible by
the university, and since Professor Stanley
has been at the head of the musical department
there mas been established at Ann Arbor a con-
servatory Of music allied with the university.
Until last October music at Yale was in the
hands of students themselves and its cultiva-
tion was confined to the glee, banjo and man
dolin clubs-organizations which have social
but no artistic value. A great change has come
within the last academic year, however. In
October a department. of music was founded
and Horatio Parker, the new professor, entered
upon his duties with the determination of
making the department an influential factor,
not only in the university, but in the city of
New Haven. In his lefty endeayor he has had
the support of the corporation and an expert
ment has been begun: the outcome of which
will be watched with unusual interest by every
patriotic student of musical progress in the
land. Since October Professor Parker has given
instruction in harmony, eounterpoint, strict
and free composition and the history of music
to class of twenty-five students and his list
for next year already numbers forty-five. Be-
sides this Samuel S. Sanford, professor of ap-
piled music, to whom the elevation of the
Battell chair into dignifed department is
largely due, has taught pianoforte playing to
great many more students The last few
months have seen promising effort made to
secure an orchestra capable of giving SYM
phoniH concerts. The movement did not go
out from Yale, but it is due to Professor Par
ker that it has secured the fostering care of the
univer rsity. Instead of potpourris and dance
music to follow solemn addresses and prayers
at the commencement exercises this year the
faculty, alumni, graduates and visitors heard
classical music played In a creditable manner
by choir and chorus conducted by Professor
Parker. Nothing could give music in Califor-
mia so great an impetus as for our universities
to follow the example of Yale.
1t is q hundred years since Mozarts "Don
Giovanni" was first sung in London, and the
centenary has been celebrated by grand per-
formanee of the beautiful opera at Covent Gar
den by some of the greatest living artists. Sad
to relate, the public refused to take the work
seriously, and, as a whole, like modern music
drama. They had come to hear Patti sing
"Batti, batti," and Patti showed herself Ter
lima willing to sacrifice the drama for the sake
of accepting every possible encore. Maurel
tried in vain to drive the dramatic interest of
the work on, but finding the public and the
other artists against him, he succumbed at last
and accepted an encore himself. One critic,
in regretting this inability of q modern audi
ence to look upon Don Giovanni as more
than vehicle for vocal display, says: at is
curious to note how very closely other compos-
ers have followed Mozart, and how greatly
they are indebted to him. In nearly every bar
of Faust not to mention Romeo and Ju-
liet,' avowedly the fruit Of q long study of
Don Giovanni a faint echo of Mozart's voice
comes to us with the voice OF Gounod Annals
cries 'Quel sangue, quella, piaga, quel volto,'
with the creeping chromatic chords of the
woodwind, are in the very accent of Isolda's
''Tis I, Belov'd,' and the solemn phrase that
follows in the scene where Tristan dies"
"Pity the privations of prima DONNA" says
the Westminster Gazette. "Here is a story
of Nine. Patti, which may be appropriately re-
called to-day. Once when she returned from
her drive she was exceedingly thirsty, and
asked Nieolini to have procured for her glass
of water. Nicolini was Mortified. 'WhatF he
.1,,t L
are going TO sing tomorrow night, and the
water will chill your blood. oh, no, forbid
waterl Then give me a taste of wine, pleaded
the thirsty Patti. 'Winep roared Nicolini. Mia,
MignonnP; you are going TO sing tomorrow
night, and you know that wine will heat your
blood. No, cannot permit wine. please,
cannot 1 have something wet?' pleaded Patti,
with parched lips. Nicolini pondered long and
deeply, and, at length, with his own hands,
prepared for the great singer soothing
draught Of magnesia"
Two virtuosi, who are known in this country
only by name, are expected to visit the United
States on concert tours next season. One is N.
Msrsick, professor of violin playing at the Paris
Conservatoire, the other, Martinus sievekiBg,
Dutch pianist Marsick is one of the chief
exponents of chamber music in France, and
enjoys fine reputation. He is Belgian born,
like Ysaye, at Lege, and he was pupil of the
institution at which he is now professor. He
is expected to arrive in America at the end of
November, and will remain six months. Sieve
king is Hollander by birth, and comes of an
old and aristocratic family. He is man OF
magnetic temperament and striking personal
ity, being over SIX feet in height and magnif- |
Gently proportioned. Sieveking will come to
the States In the fall and play throughout the |
country.
Humperdinek's new opera, 1.-THE Wolf and
the Seven Kids is almost finished. The
libretto is again written by Frau Adelheid |
Wette, the composers sister. No English- |
speaking musician has yet announced his in. |
tention of writing fairy opera, though several |
of the leading French composers are hard at |
work books culled from nursery RHYMES |
The field ought to be peculiarly appropriate |
one for the women composers, who are Just |
beginning to assert themselves.
1t has been decided In county court in |
England that servants cannst sing in the house |
where they are employed OF course. when q |
member of the family is Ill and noise is for |
hidden, as was the case in question, this seams
reasonable enough, but when there is no i'll |
ness the decision seems q hard one. There is |