The record-union., 1896-05-31

Russianl Though educated in Eng
land, he adopted Germany as his coun-
try, and wrote savage remarks about
the British barbarians." At his reap
pearance in London there was little or
no applause" when he first came on the
stage, but matters mended gradually,
and his greatest success was won with
Liszt's Don Juan" fantasia, to the
great disgust of the critics, who can
not understand why educated audi
ences, the world over. and great pian-
lists likewise, should be so fond Of
Liszt. One of the critics says that
save for q full-grown moustache D'Al-
bert is much the same boyish figure
which he presented in 1882.
1t is said that 1t is owing to Queen
Victoria's s influence that Jean de Reszke
will have to sing Tristan" with Isolde
Albani instead of with Isolde NOrdica,
Albani having been a favorite of the
Queen for several generations. Poor
Jean. And he will not have his beloved
SeidI to conduct, either. After all, it is
better for Wagnerites to live where
there are Nordicas, Seidls, and no
queens.
At last an English-or rather Irish
composer has had genuine success
with a grand opera on modern lines.
DR.. VilHers Stanfords "Shamus
O'Brien," though only few months old,
mas already had about seventy per-
formances in London, and companies
are being formed Cor touring in the
in, a = Or
to the London Daily News" "Shamus
C'Brien," so far as this country is con-
cerned, to a certain extent marks out a
new line in light opera. Hitherto Irish
composers, like Balfe and Wallace, were
content to adopt the Italian or other
models Of the period DR.. Stanford, fol-
lowing the example of DvOrak, Smeta-
ia, TchaikOrsky, has utilized the ma
tIonal element, it is true, actually quot
ing only one genuine old melOdy-"The
Top O. the Cork Road" better known as
Father O'Flynn." but otherwise in
fusing into his work the very spirit Of
Irish music. He is already at work on
another Irish opera.
The discovery of a hitherto absolutely
unknown overture by Schubert, king of
melodists, is great news for the musi-
cal world, and it has revived Sir George
Groves hopes that he may yet succeed
in finding Schubert's missing sym
phOny. 1t is TO be feared, however,
that the manuscript was sold to some
grocer as apping-paper. for the vi
ennese. when Schubert died, had no
idea that he was a genius. When Schu-
mann visited Vienna he found stacks Of
Schuhert's immortal manuscripts dust
covered in his brothers garret.
The latest musical prodigy. now play
ing in Vienna. is a little Polish girl,
aged 9, named Paula Szalit. 1t is said
Of her that she cannot only play works
by all the great masters, but is capable
Of improvisng TO a considerable extent
Los Angeles can also boast an instance
of precocious genius in the person Of
little Paloma Schramm, who at 9 years
OF age IS a marvellous mistress, not only
of the works of the best masters, but
also an adept at improvisation.
Mrs. Arthur Bourchier, known to
American playgoers as Miss Violet
Vanbrugh. a member Of Mr.. and Mrs.
KendaTs company during their first en-
gagement. viii accompany her husband
to this country next season, and play
the title part in The Chile Widow" 3"
which has just had a successful run Of
267 nights at the London Royalty The
ater.
What could be more modern and cos
mopolitan than the news that the emf
nent French conductor Colonne is going
to take the Berlin Philharmonic Orches-
ira for a trip through Scandinavia?
Managers of prodigies have to con-
tend with difficulties unfamiliar 10 man
ayers Of adults. Thus. an eight-year-
old pianist, Ethel Liggins, was to have
given a concert in London lately. but it
had to be postponed because she had an
attack of that juvenile disease, the
measles.
The list Of singers engaged by Sir
Augustus Harris for the spring season
of opera in London includes: Mines.
Lola Beeth. Calve, Albani, Sembrich,
Melba. AIacintyre. Eames, Olitzka,
Meisslinger and Brazil; J. and Z. de
Reszke. Alvarez. De Lucia, Ben Davis,
Bonnard. Ancona, Albers, Bispham,
Pini-Corsi. Arimondi, Castelmary and
PIancon. Messrs. Bevignani, Manci-
neTi and Randegger viii be the conduct
ors.
Rose Coghlan and her husband. John
T. sullivan. viii be in the summer stock
company at the California Theater San
Francisco.
It Is said that Sir Henry Irving car
ries back to England something like
100000 as the profits Of his American
tour just closed.
Fanny Davenport has closed an i'm
mensely successful season and Will en-
ioy her vacation at her beautiful home
at Duxbury. Mass Next season Miss
Davenport comes to San Francisco
Billy Rice. the minstrel comedian, will
manage a St. Louis suburban garden
during the summer. He was given a
big benefit during the closing week OF
the Casino in Chicago. of which he was
amusement director during the past
season
Marie Miilard, the talented daughter
of the well-known composer, Harrison
Mulard has been engaged as leading
soprano at the Tivoh, san Francisco
and viii make her first appearance
/ there in the new romantic opera, "Lor-
u3ine," which follows Uncle Tom 5
Cabin"
The Dramatic News" gives the sal
aries paid 10 principals in The Rivals
as follows: Joseph jefferson. $4,000 per
Neek. Nat Goodwin. 5000: W II