The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-02-06

jumped into fame in the first instance on the
score of sky-touehing head register, which
the Sandersons or Di Murskas of Eiffel
Tower notoriety. Miss Yaw, however, has
been injudicious. With the evident desire
to broaden her style and enlarge her volume
she has forced and strained the lower and
medium registers until the results are pain
fully false and diagreeable. There is q tone
that sounds like ventriloquist bass, in the
register above another stretch of voice that is
torn with ruthless thickness from the throat,
and then, with the result natural from the
abuse of the registers, Miss Yaw's extensive
head voice has lost in purity and occasionally
graZes on something that is little like a
squeak. This is great pity, as the singer
has certainly the phenomenal compass written
above, and by native right q pure, light,
limpid organ which might be made to do
novel and brilliant duty under proper control
The Musical Courier's critic also advises Miss
Yaw to submit her voice to medical treatment,
and says if she fails to do so sine will soon have
no voice to sing with.
And this is the result of press-agent booming
and of studying with Alberto Randegger. 1t is
only another proof, however, that the famous
London teacher, with his artificial method of
fabrieatfng contralto notes, is nothing but
grand old charlatan.
News comes from Rome that, in order to
cement the good feeling that exists between
England and Italy, grand international mu-
steal festival is contemplated, consisting of
British works performed in grandiose style
in the italian capital, at which the composers
are to be invited to conduct their own compo-
sitions. Preliminary steps have already been
taken, and Mr.. Visetti, whose name, by the
way, sounds quite italian, has been sent from
the Royal College of Music, London, as mu-
steal EN- bassador to Rome to arrange the details
of the plan. 1t appears that a grave interna-
tional Importance is attached to this festival !;
but the two countries would do well to con-
slider beforehand the danger lurking in the
scheme. Italy may take England very seriously
as great naval power, but would she take her
composers seriously? Italian audiences are
proverbially critical, aud composers, British or
otherwise, are proverbially sensitive to crit
icism. If the musicians go home to London
shaking the dust of Rome from their feet, the
international consequences of the festival
would be the reverse of what is contemplated.
The Theater Royal of Budapest has solved
to the satisfaction of the management the
problem OF how to prevent the husbands of the
prima donnas from putting their fingers in the
theatrical pie. short time ago there was a
scene arising out of some trihing dispute
between one of the fair singers and her hus-
band, which retarded the raising of the eur
tain by half an hour, to the great indignation
of the audience. In spite of the fact that the
husband in question was a member of the
highest Hungarian aristocracy, Baron Noposa,
the director of the Budapest Opera-house
promptly caused the following circular to be
printed and sent copies to all the husbands of
the prima donnas: "Sir-In consequence of
recent incidents, which you are doubtless ac-
quainted with, I find myself constrained to
adopt the following measures: The husbands
OF prlma donnas can only accompany their
wives to the stage door before the commence
ment OF the performance, and come to fetch
them when the opera is over
A Budapest publishing house, that of Rosza-
volgyi & Co., has just undertaken novel way
of popuiarizing the young Hungarian CON-
posers whose works it publishes. The firm has
started series of gratuitous concerts, at
which the best available talent renders the
works of young musicians. The programme
of the first concert contained no less than
thirty numbers, but the public, not deferred
by this array of music, filed the big hall and
stayed until the last note had sounded.
Among the works which the critics consider
remarkable were prelude by Mihalovich to a
new lyric drama, sonata for yioloncello, by
Bator, and melodies by Jambor, Engel, Moore,
Zimray and Kun. The intelligent departure
OF the hungarian puDnsn1ng- mouse has al
ready procured popularity for several un-
known young composers. Among the execu-
tants at the concert were some of the best
artists from the Royal Opera of Budapest.
LIE Menestrel says: 'sSir Augustus Harris.
director of the Covent Garden Opera-house. in
recent interview has expressed himself
plainly respecting the right to smoke in the
theater. 1T is only when people can smoke,
eat and drink In our theaters,' he said, that
we shall cease to suffer from the competition
of music halls and variety theaters. The Prince
of Wales recently had supper served in his
box, and wish he could find many imitators.
How many people do not go to the theater
when their days work is finished because they
find nothing to eat there. Those are the
people who recruit the audiences of variety
halls. do not believe in permitting smoking
all over the house, but / think people should
be allowed to smoke In the gallery and boxes
That would be the right thing,n adds LIE
Menestrel Emusic and roast beef and tobacco
all combined, thoroughly English concep-
ton"
Eugene Ysaye's new symphony society has
made a brilliant debut at the Cirque ROYAL.
Brussels. The orchestra, drawn for the most
part from the ranks of Monnaie Theater must
clans, played a Beethoven symphony in a.
wonderfully correct and yivacious manner,