The times., 1897-11-14

over 10 many wears Of study. Then, why
should this be denied to singers. The
former buy their instruments ready made;
the latter have to form and develop theirs
And IS not the voice the most tender, the
most fragile OF all instruments. We may
safely attribute the decline OF the vocal
art 10 these unfOTt unate causes, and blame
especially those tea CnetS who. parity through
ignorance, partly through egotism, do not
point out 10 their pupils the Importance or
their mission.
Slct and Kindred passages impart TO
the book it, value to students. Nine.
Narchesi' witnessed the artistic use- struggle
ana conquest OF wagner, and with inter
osting emotions fer, though a German her
self, she taught the Latin methods, and
Wagner music was q revelation ana
rebuke 10 them. she tells of an ;nUer
esting discussion she had with iIim IN
singing. Tie held tina I every voice should
be at the singers command. she on the
contrary, held that the composer must
T. ke into consideration the compass of the
different Voices, by which Interpretation,
pronunciation and defamation must nat
orally benefit. But Wagner remained trIe
TO his principle, and 80, alas many voices
have been rgiEed through his music and
many talented singers have been lost to
art She rs still true to her principles.
Toward the end cf her book she pays her
compliments to the German composer
thus:
As a musician, my admiration is great for
Wagner 5 bold innovations. but ! consider
That IN trying To blend the three essential
clements OF iuelouf anna music, words and
actlon-he has only made them change
places by giving predOuinance TO the or
Chestra- After having heard one of his
operas / am filled with sadness, for, in
following out his system, which counts
numerous adopts among young composers,
the art Of singing is doomed TO disappear.
Formerly the melody or the words took
fltsG place; now ~ Is the orchestra which
does 20. The singer, having To dominate
the loud strains of the orchestra, is forced
10 make superhuman efforts, as the COM
poser, whose one IDEA is symphonic effects,
treats the voice merely az an additional
wind instrument. Rossini was right when
he said that singing nevada Us is like
StOrn.ing 8 barricade.
Thus tie book draws itself into lengths,
a caain Of experience, anecdote and advice,
all rare and calculated TO charm whoever
thCuhs its pages. One of the most amusing
bits In the book is the account, which she
had from Rossini himself, Of the first re-
Ccption gi yen his Barber of Seville
The fiIs, night the opera was humiliating
failure. The music was drowned In misses
fron the very overture; the musicians
broke their instruments; the singers had
stage-fright q cat wandered onto the
stage, but RoSsini remained TO the bitter
end at the cortluctor desk. II is custom
in ITALY that the composer Of a new opera
shall conduct the first three performances
Rossini felt so chagrined and depressed
that he begged off the other two nights
He remained at homc during the second
performance, but could not collcct his
thoughts. Sober thought On tie part of
the public, however brought about A re
action. Describing his evening al home.
away from and UNCONSCIOUS Of the turn.
he said.
Suddenly / was seized with an uncon-
troiiabie curiosity. l wanted to know what
TINS second hearing, and resolved to 20 to
lhe tneater, when an extraordinary noise
called me TO the window. There saw hon
SANDS or people with torches in their hands
coming toward my house, and before /
realized what was happening | was being
carried IN triumph 20 the theater- ami dSt1he
enthusiastic cries of .'E viva RoSsinfli' |
had no time TO exchange my dressing gown
Tor coat, and was thus obliged to conduct
the 'BarDieren from the beginning of the
second act. The audience that had been
so anUagonlstlc on the previous occasion
now became wildly enthusiastic, and at the
ED OF the performance carried me home in
triumph.
The volume is adorned with several por-
traits Of Mnc Marchesi, and with repro
luction of excerpts from her incompara
bic autograph album. New York: Harper
& Brothers. Washington: Woodward 4,
Lothrop S2.50.)