The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1895-01-23
Letter From the Club" )"
New ENGLAND CONSERVATORY,
BosToN, Mass. Jau. II, '95

The Conservatory has at last SAID
goodbye to the old year. The holiday
stragglers have all returned; the dining
hall has doffed its gay sestoons, and life
is real and earnest again. A great
many students in the Houe Depart
ment vent to their really romes tor
the Christmas vacation. while those
who could not. declared they were
going to ''work just as usual" but you
maybe sure they did not. The Boston
people have the funniest Christmas de-
corations, small fat wreatbs OF the most
fanereal appearance, made generally Of
holly leaves that looked as if they bad
been ironed. with the berries sewed on
three at a time at regular intervals
When these artistic productions are
hung against the window paues, you
look for the usua! trappipgs of woe on
the front door knob, in spite Of the ber-
ries.
Siguor Augusta Rotoli, of the Con-
servasory, composed magnificent mass
FOR Christmas, which was performed
under his direction in the Church Of St.
James, of which he is chapel-master.
1t is written for soil and chorus with an
accompaniment for organ, 'celli. double
BASES aud timpani. The music is
distincs,vely Italian. and in certain
forte cbroma.ic, explosive effects strange
to English ears, especially in the graud
chorus. HosaDua in Excelsis, with its
eliminating double-voiced canon AID
full organ. As someone said afterward,
stIs sounded as if the entire universe
shouted"
The effec. was thrilling and graudly
Joyous as suited the occasion. Signor
Rotoli is one of the best voice teachers
in Boston, foe singer himself. CON-
poser of lovely songs, an accompanies
who would inspire wooden image to
sing, and withal man Of the world, of
Of gay humor, sparkling wit and the
kindess heart. He was the founder 10
Rome of the Sacred Choir for Lent,
which still Aourlshes. In 1874 he was
the leader of the Royal Philharmonic
Society. Of Rome, q position which ne
held for twelve years. List took the
greatest interest in this society. and un-
der Signor Rotoli's direction his
Elizabeth was produced.
Madame Rosoli greatly resembles the
photographs Of the beautiful Queen of
Italy, and she has that distinction of
carriage and free step that American
women are so lacking. in even when
they are well-born.
There is nothing that Signo's pupils
so enjoy and appreciate as an invitation
to his house, aud I may add that his
Spaghetti, is also triumph of art.
We had the greae pleasure of visit
from the Celebrated pianist. Ssaveuhagen,
last Wednesday afternoon He is quite
young man, hardly thirty I should
think, with a 6ne straight profile,
shock of yellow hair. and beautiful
strong hands. He was genuine
List pupil, as Mr.. Faction (our Direc-
tory assured us, aud not one of the
eli 900 so-called ones," at whom the
Great Ons had deigned to glance. His
playing proved his geuuiueness. He
and Mr. S.asuy of the Conservatory,
(who is also genuiue) gave first the
Lympbonic Poem, by List. Inspired by
Lamassinel's meditation, what is the
life of man but series of preludes to
that unknown song, whose first and
solemn tone is sounded BY death -
This is one of the noblest of Liszt's
compositions and it was superbly play
ed.
Two of the Conservatory students,
(very pretty guls) turned the music
leaves. and on each grand piano was an
Offering of vielets.
Then Mr.. Stavenhageu gave us
generous program:
Legepds-"Song of Birds" St.
Frances walking the Waves"-Etude,-
La Campanella::; all by Lis:z. and then
IN response to the oyerpowering ap-
plause he played charming compost
tion Of his own. His execution was
wonderful. such delicacy, strength and
expression. He is giving series of
concerts in the city with the young
Belgian 'cellist' Jean Gerardy, a mere
boy. who is considered one of the pro-
digy's of the century. Their press
notices are immense
Our weekly lectures from DR..
Goetschius on Musical History, and Mr..
Elson on orchestral instruments are ab-
sorbingly interesting. The former
have been illustrated by vocal selections
from such distinctive masters of the
old French, Belgian and Netherland
schools, of the Middle Ages. as De La
Halle, Arcadelt, Lasso aod Palestrina.
These selections were given by a
quartet of Conservatory students, who
woro mnch commended no Dr Goat