The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-02-29

the most good-natured sort, though
withal most hypercritical 1t Is all
very nice to be put on to sing at a
fortnightly. but it is not 80 nice when
the actual performance comes, for the
poor singer cannot but know that all
the professors are only languidly en-
during him, and those whose pupil he Is
not, are carefully picking out his faults.
and giving no odds either. and that the
lNnX-ryed and Sharp-eared students in
the gallery are Watching every breath.
analNZing every tone. and cold -blooded-
/ ly picking him To very pieces among
| themselves.
There Is an atmOsDhere about the
concert room on Fortnightly nights
that can he found nowhere else on the
face of the earth. II palpitates, II is
electrically charged with criticism of
the most severe kind, and the performer
cannot but feel 1t and do. worse than he
| ever did before. Conversation Is forbid
| den, but II takes place, nevertheless.
and occasionally such remarks as
"iiad phraSing," Got u nice little trill.
hasn't She" Gracious! what Il SCOOP"
That's bad bowing." IL don't like her
touch" Isn't he nervous though"
and so forth, strike the unwilling ear
of neighboling students, and even
reach the ear of the suffering perform
~. uit thdL
are SO good that they are listened to
with breathless interest to the close.
and there are others so bad that they
are nothing short of amusing, and the
irrepressible students gallery sits and
gigglcS bodily while the performer
agonizes by himself all alone in his
glory ON the stage.
Then, too, there are the public cham
| her and orchestral concerts, where the
! best of the students are allowed to-
| appear before the public. and where we
all have to go and sit in white dresses
| ana royal red" sashes the color Of the
I Queens livery, and where We behave
with much dignity and sedateness, and
properly uphold the honor of our school.
Famous Academy Graduates.
Well, this has turned out q much
| harder subject to treat than | ever eX-
pected but the fault lies in me. not in
my subject tu which. for the love
bear it. would like to do justice above
all things. But | must break off here,
with the names of few of those who
have gone from this illustrious school
and distinguished themselves as com
posers. players. singers and actors, and
whom the world has delighted to honor
Mathildr Bauermrister Julia Nelson.
one of England's favorite actresses and
mot clever and lovely woman: Char
lotte SaintonD Dolby. Mary Davies.
Maude Valerie White. the composer;
Hilda Wilson. Edith Wynne, Sir Jo-
seph Rarnbv, who died only recently:
q. J. Bennett. William Sterndale Ben
nett. Fred Corder, Ben Davies and Ed
ward Lloyd, the two most prominent
concert AMI uratOriU 'enOrs in the world
today: Eaton flaming. Edward German.
John Hulla.h, CHARLES Lucas. g. y.
Macfarren. who died Sir George, and at
the head Of ia" academy: Brinlcy
richards William Shakespeare. Sir
Arthur sullivan. 4. GUring Thomas.
John Thomas, harpist to the Queen:
Philip i}rOZell". now II member of Sir
Augustus Harris opera company:
REGINALD Bruuhy of the Carl Rosa
opera Cumpany. and. chief of all. Sir
Alexander Mackenzie. our present prin-
ciual who was also Il student here ir
his carly youth.
Sadie r.. Kaiser.