The San Francisco call., 1896-02-27
MUSIC AND MUSICIANS.

Bennett of the London Musical Times is turn
ing his attention to ridiculing the prevailing
styles of musical criticism The following is
what he calls ''the Unfortunately eulo-
gistic'': ''The initial item-a whlstling quartet
by the sifleurs Parisians-left nothing to be
desired on the score of purity OF expression,
pene etration of tone and unanimity of en-
semble. After five recalls these talented
artists gratihed the audience with another ex-
quisite exhibition of their sibilatory powers,
the piece being an arrangement as four-part
song of the familiar Ave Maria OF Bach
Gounod Nine. Claudia Popkins, who fol-
lowed with farley Bindells' pathetic ballad,
Only an Oyster-catcher,' is a prime favorite
with the audience, and seldom, if ever, has
her luscious portamento been displayed to
greater advantage than in the realistic refrain
OF this delicious ditty. Here again the demand
for an encore was imperative, and Nine. Pop
kins graciously responded with the Lonely
Limpet,' in which the sorrows of the isolated
crustacean are SO tenderly depicted in the
lyric of Leonard Potere, and the melody of
Beppo Francatelli. The appearance OF the
veteran tragedian, Mr.. Storm -Barmer, who had
been especially engaged for this occasion to
recite Three Blind Mice was the signal for
wild outburst of enthusiasm lasting for sew
eral minutes. The simple charm of this classic
morceau was admirably brought out by Mr..
Storn-Barmer's refined enunciation, and as the
audience, like the voracious Oliver, clamored
for more, the talented artist good-naturedly
gave, with wonderful effect, the whole Of the
first book of the Paradise Lost"
Bennett continues his satire by saying: "At
the close of this most impressive performance,
which only occupied three-qarters of an hour,
agreeable relief was afforded by the gratuitous
distribution of choice assortment of superb
sandwiches, thoughtfully provided by the gen.
erous lmpresario, after which the enormous
audience, like giants refreshed, turned their
attention to Master Philidor Chantileer's elec-
trifying rendering of the new patriotic song,
who Dares to Twist the Lions Tail?' Master
Chantileer, who wore the uniform of field
marshal and employed one of the new megalo-
phonic vocal cord expanders recently invented
by Mr.. Edison, excited the most unbridled
enthusiasm among his auditors and after
double encore sent the house into fresh
paroxysms OF patriotic ecstacy by the clever
performance OF a hornpipe, to the accompani-
ment OF the p1pers of the mounted Marines.
Some graceful feats of conjuring by Professor
Trecardi, p1anoforte solos by Maxim Krupp, a
short sermon by DR.. Barker Ito which the YER
satlle divine added performance on the
flying trapeze by way of an encore), and some
sensational headers from the organ loft into
tank on the edge of the platform by Miss
Godiva Plunger brought the programme to q
closeat few minutes past II o'clock"
This is an example OF the sartorial style of
musical criticism: "You will, am sure, be
dying to hear about the dresses worn at the
'CreatIon'-the oretorio, I mean-which was
given by the Sacred Philharmonic Society at
the Mendelssohn Hall last night. Alpetti's
dress was perfect dream of delight. Just
fancy! The bodice of crushed cape gooseberry
satin, veiled in accordion-pleat chiffon-so
ann iate to
brown tint; you know, Of course, that dear ol d
Haydn was music-master or something or
other to one of the Esterhezys in the fifteenth
centuFy-or was II the seventeenth? The skirt
was of very bright pink satin, with hem OF
silver and silver bands around the bodice, and
at the back of the waist two chou bows of
earthquake-blue satin gave the whole thing
lnefable chic. Miss Hilda Butson, the con-
tralto, was gowhed in electric-plum velvet,
with salmon-colored tabs across the shoulder.
was rather surprised to notice that Edward
Davis, the tenor, only wore two diamond studs
In his enameled shirt front; but am told that
1t renders the production of his high A's more
easy. had so much to do in memorizing the
dresses and nodding to my friends that really
had no time to listen to the music which was
OF course played and sung to perfection.
"P. Son looking casually at my programme
find there is no contralto in the Creation, ,
so l must have seen Miss Butson somewhere
else"
Seidl and his orchestra have arranged to paw
San francisco visit next May and give a
series of concerts here. Their advent will be a
great musical event, as it is years since San
Francisco has seen conductor of Sedls inter-
national reputation. With the orchestra will
come Emile Sauret, who. although not new to
this country, is new to the younger generation
OF concert-goers. His virtuosity has proved as