The herald., 1897-02-28
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. MUSICAL COLUMN :

recital given on Wednesday evening by
Herr Thilo Becker's piano pupils. Sousa's
last concert, embracing a program en-
tirely devoted to Wagner and his own
compositions, was the triumph Of his
tour. Hazards pavilion was packed
and intense enthusiasm was aroused
Could nothing be done to improve the
acoustic properties of the pavilion? 1t
is almost impossible for any singer to do
himself or herself Justice therein.
The proof of progress that was given
by Herr Becker's pupils at their recital
was eminently satisfactory. Miss Mir
lam Barnes, probably the most brilliant
young pianiste in the city today, has
made remarkable advance during the
last year. On Wednesday she repeated
some of the same studies that she played
last season; she has gained in confidence
and expression; her execution continues
to be conspicuously brilliant. Little Pa
Iona Schramm is in no danger of being
prematurely developed as prodigy"
her precocious genius is being carefully
and skilfully tended. Miss Blanche Rog-
ers, a most earnest and successful stu
dent. Miss Clara Bosbyshell and Miss
Bernice Roche, all acquitted themselves
admirably and proved credit to their
master.
c. S. Cornell and his chorus of fifty
voices are to be congratulated on their
tour which at present is in progress and
its worthy object; the proceeds to be
entirely devoted to the Childrens home.
The Santa Fe placed a special car at
the party's disposal for the trip. On
Friday evening a concert was given in
San Diego; last night they sang at Riv-
erside; tonight they will be at Redlands
and tomorrow at San Bernardino, where
they unite with the Oratorio society of
that place in the production of EN-
manuel for the first time in the west.
The soloists in the party are Miss Del
phine Todd, Miss Taylor, Mr.. and Mrs.
T. f. Rowan, jr., Messrs. Emil France
and Cogswell The tour is bound to be
great success, as it certainly deserves to
be. Mr.. Cornells energy and enterprise
are to be entirely commended and the
willingness Of so many singers to give
up four days for sweet charity's sake
needs no laudation.
Signor Gino Lopez Perera, the clever
mandolinist, who has proved very dis
tinct acquisition to Los Angeles musi-
cal circles, will give concert at the
Hotel Green, Pasadena, tomorrow even
ing. Perera will be assisted by Mrs.
M. Hance Owens, contralto; Miss
Blanche Rogers, pianiste, and j. H.
Zinck, tenor. A special electric car has
been chartered for those who wish to
attend the concert and will leave Fourth
and Spring streets at 7:15 pm.
1t is remarkable but nevertheless un-
deniable that people only rarely appre-
ciate such good things as are constant
ly at hand for their enjoyment Operas
for US are few and far between and any
thing like respectable rendition of any
of the old favorites is always popular.
All New York Is Kicking" apparently
because of the excellence Of the opera
offered it, which Is properly expensive.
Said the Sun the other day: "A great
many people regard the cutting of many
operas as highly commendable. AS it
Is, most operas close much too late for
comfort AID for the maintenance of the
just interest in the music. The suggas-
ton of a better tenor for next year is very
good, but any opera at all next year
is unfortunately problematical The
impression is growing steadily that it is
time for managers and public TO strike
against the exorbitant prices charged
for their service by the leading singers"
While Wagner's operas are being per-
formed more frequently every year in
America, England, France and Italy, as
we'll as in Germany, the Wagner socie-
ties" are everywhere dying a natural
death. The London Athenaeum observes
on this topic:
The London branch of the United
Wagner society announces that 1t must
diminish it's labors during the present
year, owing to the decreasing number Of
members. A conversations can, there
fore, not be promised, and founds are re-
quested for the completion Of the issue
of the masters prose, which, it is call
culated, will extend to the end of 1899.
To this extent the society may fulfill
a useful mission; after that it may prop
erly dissolve, for Wagner needs no more
advocating in art circles. His many
sided genius is now fully recognized in
every direction.
There is at least one operatic star who
is not slow to acknowledge the benefit
which has accrued to her fortunes from
various sojourns in this country and this
town, says the New York Sun. Nine.
Calve has bought an old castle, surround
ed by many thousands of acres, in the
Cevennes. She reases vegetables and
sheep, has a dairy and owns three
mountains, which she calls Carmen, Cav
alleria and Narvarraise. She explains
to her visitors that it was at perform
anceS of these operas in this city that
she made the money to purchase the
land which she calls souvenir of
America" 1t is nice and rare to find
such a frank gratitude for past pene-
fits.
In commenting upon the recent at
tempts in America and Italy to legislate
women into decent manners by forbid
ding large theater hats, London jour-
nalist recalls the historic fact that this
is not the first time that a thing of that
sort has been attempted. At the time
when the public were crowding to Han
del's oratorios, as given under his di-
rection ladies were requested to leave
their hoops at home and gentlemen to
put their swords in the anteroom;
whereby it was made possible to crowd
several hundred more hearers into a hall.
Mr.. Joseph Bennett, of the London
Telegraph, has this to say about con-
gregational singing:
I'm the present state of general musical
education a congregation cannot make
music; it can only succeed in making
noise, possibly joyful one in the con-
sciousness of those who contribute to its
volume, but otherwise distressing. Con-
gregational singing may have whole
some reflex action upon the singers, but
as conservation of art to religious uses
1t Is failure and an unworthy offering.
1t is time we cleared our minds of cant
on this subject. and recognized the fact
that, to alter Millions well-known line.
IL