The San Francisco call., 1897-04-22

The latter developed the idea into
the present libretto, and then Goldmark
set to work. But the opera was finished
long before it was offered to the public. This
was the result OF peculiar complication.
The Vienna Municipal Council offered an an
nual stipend to encourage the efforts of young
composers. One year the stipend was awarded
to Goldmark. jealous competitor subse-
quent;y became director of the Vienna Court
Opera, and stubborny refused to consider the
production Of the opera. So the "Queen of
Sheba" was shelved with little hope of a pub
lie hearing. One evening, however at @
soiree in the house OF the Austrian Prime
Minister two of Vienna's well-known musi-
ciens happened TO play some parts of the
opera. The wife of the Prince became inter
ested, instituted inquiries as to the work and
Its composer, and was finally instrumental in
bringing about its produc. ion, despite the
continued ilwill of the director of the opera
house. Goldmark's latest opera, '.The Cricket
on the HEARTH has yet 10 be heard in this
country. "The Queen of Sheba" was produced
by Anton Seidl in 1887. Though entering in
his sixty-seventh year, Goldmark is still hale
and strong, and promises to go on composing
for many year to come.
The mistakes committed by architects OF
theaters are more than can be counted, but
the mistakes made in the Imperial Theater of
Vienna, the famous Burgtheater suIpas i'm
agiaation. After having expended res pect-
able number of years, and still more re-
spectacle number of millions. the architect,
Won Hasenauer, at last declared his work
loaded with gliding and marble, ready to be
inaugurated. The luxury OF the building,
which, 10 say the truth, is rather loud, was
admired, but it was soon discovered that many
OF the boxes were useless, because the occu-
pants could hear little and see less. Even the
acoustics OF the orchestra seats left much to
be desired. At the end of week complaints
were genera al from subscribers. who had taken
their boxes from the architects plan. A Vien-
nese critic, celebrated Tor his independence
and frankness, advised a reconstruction of the
building, to the great indignation of most of
his contemporaries. Fifteen years have passed,
and very disastrous years they have been to
the management, in spite of the imperial sub
sidy. At this late date it has been decided to
partially reconstruct the Bergtheater with an
eye especially TO improving its acoustic prop
critics. The changes will be made during the
summer.
Morganatic marriages between authent tic
princes and princesses OF the theater have
teen numerous enough during the ninete
century, as the Almanach de Gotha shows but
1t is q novelty to SEQ the marriage of the niece
of an Empress and singer. This has just taken
place in Germany. however. A niece of the
Empress of Austria, the daughter of her
brother, Louis of Bav aria who is divorced from
her first husband, Count von Larisch, has Just
married Brucks, the barytone of the Munich
Opsra-house. Brucks has had a checkered
enough career He began his professional
lie as q cornet-player in the orchestra of a
little German theater. BY chance Neumann
discovered that he possessed very fine barry
tone voice and engaged him for the opera.
house at Prague, where he remained popu-
lar favorite for some years. Afterward Brurks
went 10 the Theatre Royal at Munich, where
he also obtained an appointment as court
singer (Koen. Kammersaenger). Now that
Brucks has become the husband of near rela-
tive of the Prince Regent 1t is very unlikely
that he will remain at the Royal Opera house.
comic side sometimes presents itself IN the
most serious affairs, as the following which
happened the other day shows: A light opera
troupe of French singers is giving per-
formances in Const antinop,e and among
other works has presented the familiar opere tia
''La Belle Helene" 1t is Turkish custom
that the censor shall be present at the dress
rehearsal TO stop anything Objectionable in
the performance At the last rehearsal of "La
Belle Helene" all went we'll till the moment
when the grand ensemble was attacked, 'Pars
pour la Crete! Pars pour Ia Crete! (Away 10
Cretel Away to Crete!) These words produced
the effect of the ancient Meme, Meme, Thocel,
on the stage to put his veto on an expression
which, under existing conditions, seemed TO
have q deep political significance. All was
soon arranged, however. Instead OF the OBJ
noxious "Pars pour la Crete the company
substituted "Pars pour Ia Chine!'' away to
ChinaD, which had no meaning, but the Turk
ish empire was saved and the censor also.
The Council OF State Of Madrid has just rem
dered q very curious decision. The singer
Don Fernando Diaz de Mencoza, Count of
Lalaing. grandee of Spaiu son of the Count of
Balazote, Marquis of Fontanar, brother of the
Countess San LUIS and brOther-in-lsw of the
Duchess de 10 Tarre. applied to the Council
for authorization to put his family name and
titles on the theatrical posters. The Council
of State has not only refused his request, but
has decreed once for all that titles of nobility
shall never appear in theatrical announce
ments. The Count Fernando de Diaz is 26
years of age and is the possessor of very
beautiful voice.
The Sutro girls, two American pianists, are
meeting with warm appreciation in Paris. LIE
Figaro says: 1.-THE concert OF Elles. Sutro,