The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-03
HUGO r. HEROLD, the California Baryone Who Has Won
Distinction in London.

Count de V, recently studied the role of
Lob engrin with him, en- amateur. Having
covered himself with distinction abroad, the
California barytone is on his way to pay
brief visit to his mother and brothers In this
City. He went away nine years ago and has
never come home since. His first studies
abroad were in Paris, mainly under Warot, OF
the Conseryatore, and while In the french
capital he was present at a number of re-
markable musical events, notably the five
hundredth performance OF "Faust' at the
Grand Opera, where Charles Gounod con-
Quoted. After aequainting himself well with
the works of the French school the young
Californian went to Italy, where he studied I'M
der-Ihe maestro francesca Lamperti Now that
he has acquired solid position for himself In
London Mr.. Herold feels that he can give him.
self the long promised treat of Christmas In
San Francisco, and his many friends here are
preparing to give him welcome.
The distinguished barytone, Victor Maurel,
has the Ieputa tion of being OF fault-fnding
and cantankerous disposition, popularity to
which his non-appearance with the Metro
politan Opera Company this season is largely
due. Quite recently Mozarts "Don Juan" was
revived at the Paris Grand Opera, and Maurel
took occasion to pick quarrel with the d.
rector, NJ. Gailhard, on the subject, because he
far too vast for Mozarts chef d'euvre. Seeing
that the papers were airing Maureis criticism
pretty extensively NJ. Bertrand, the manager
of the Grand Opera Tad himself interviewed
on the subject and remarked, II do not know
whether the stage of The Opera is too vast for
Don juan, but what do know is that the
auditorium of the Opera is too small for all the
people who come 10 applaud Mozart's opera,
for we are ing people away at eyery per-
formance"
.'What is your answer to that, Maurel?' asks
lie Figaro
Discussing the late William Steinway, Man
ager S. Friedlander, who knew him we'll, re-
marked yesterday: ''Neither Abbey nor any
other impresario backed SO many great artists
as Steinway did. Christine Nilsson. Patti, Sem
brich, Scalchi, Joseph Hoffman, Frieda Simon
son and a host of others were helped on con-
cert tours by William Steinway, indeed, may
say that there are numbers of.great artists
who would never have been heard in this
country if Steinway had not brought them
over He was one of the most charming men
10 meet personally and his love for music and
efforts to popularize taste Tor good music
were constant aud unremitting."
great success has been obtained at the
Mercadante Theater of Naples by new opera
The libretto is by Luigi Illica and the music by
G.. Luporina. The work is, said 10 be very
touching and dramatic, and the music pro-
duced the most profound impression. The
composer was called nineteen times before the
curtain. La Collana di Pasqua" is about TO
be played in Milan at the Dial Verne, and will
probably receive an almost immediate produc-
tion in other Italian towns.
nvo IL rsrni Of "a 30
Grand Opera and at the Vienna Opera-house,
has been engaged by Grau for couple of
seasons at Covent Garden, beginning next
spring. 1t is not stated whether the contract
includes q winter seas on in America. but
probably it does not, rs Vienna will claim him
for part of each winter.
A grand concert will be given on December
10 in Golden Gate Hall, for the purpose of
raising $500 to pay the rent of the French
Reformed Church. Efforts are being made to
secure distinguished California vocalist
from the East as the star attraction for the
occasion, but till negotiations are finally COM
pleted the name of the singer will not be
divulged.
Ignace Brull, the well known viennese COM
poser, has just celebrated his fiftieth birthday,
and received on the occasion the fluctuations
OF his confreres, Brahms, Goldmark and
Johann Strauss. The Viennese papers give
long paragraphs to praising him, for Bruil
has never advanced himself by way of in
trigue, and has always placed his grea. talent
as a pianist ut the disposition of his friends
and OF charity.
Frau Adelheid Wette, the sister of Humper-
dinck, who wrote his libretto for "Hansel and
Gretel,' is just about to have an opera of the
same kind played at the Municipal Theater of
Cologne. She has written both the words and
the libretto of the new work, which is called
"The King of the Frogs
1t would not be Mapleson if he did not quar-
rel with his artists on the subject of making
the ghost walk as they say in theat rical par
lance. Two of the distinguished impresario's
company have already left for Europe in high
dudgeon because their salaries were not FORTH
coming.
The European musical papers announce that
Mascagni has renowned the idea OF an i'm
mediate tour in America to conduct his own
q ha ic cd in o.