The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-20
MUSIC AND MUSICIANS.

HANGED the interest OF play or more pleas
ingly contributed to the artistic complete
ness OF a stage performance than Mr.. Ed
ward Germans incidental numbers ITO Mr.
George Alexander's revival, on the 18th ult,
at the St. James's Theater, OF Shakspeare's
comedy Much Ado About Nothing" The
overture may unhesitatingly be said to be
the most successful of the young composers
endeavors in this form 1t is instinct with
exuberant life under sunny skies, and the
raillery of Beatrice and Benedick and the
deep sentiment of Claudio and Hero seem
to alternately find expression in the music.
The themes, moreover, are deftly knit to-
gether and the orcheStration admirable,
while the composition would form an at
tractive work in the concert room, where it
should soon be heard, albeit it is excellently
played by Mr.. Alexander'S orchestra. For
the entr actes and some OF the incidental
music Mr.. German has revived sundry of
his pieces written for other plays. Thus
there is heard the "Berceuse'' and "Baccha-
nalian Dance." from The Tempter;'' the
Romeo and Juliet;" the "Andante Re
ligioso'' from Richard Ill., and the viva
cious Mosque" from "As You Like It,"
surroundings with keen perception of what
is artistically required for the situation
terludes which possess fascinating melodic
grace, and an ear-haunting march that
should form good material for an orches-
tIdl Sulles-LoLuOH 11elIST.
At San Giuseppe Jato, near Messina, a
worthy priest, named Gaetano Mariscalo,
died not long ago, and left among other
possessions, an old piano in the last stages
of dilapidation. In vain did his heirs seek
to get rid Of it by offering the damaged in
strument to all corners for the miserable
sum of Is francs ($3.) The piano was so old
and emitted such a croaking sound that no
one desired to acquire it. At last it struck
the heirs that if few francs were spent
on putting 1t in tune an amateur might pur-
chase and be found willing to take it away;
and the piano was, accordingly, given into
the hands of an instrument maker. On TAX
ing it to pieces two rolls OF paper were
found behind the keyboard. One roll con-
tanned the title deeds to valuable property
and the other was full of banKnotes, making
a total of 108 900 francs. The heirs think
now that Father Mariscalo's piano has
Some months ago it was announced that
Signor Verdi had lately composed three i'm
portant religious works, ''Stabat Mater"
a Prayer to the Madonna" and a 'Te
Deum." 1t is now decided that these works
shall be performed for the first time OF
Good Friday and the Saturday following at
the Grand Opera House, Paris, by the Pari-
sian SOciete deS Concerts. Both Verdi and
B !3. have promised to be present The
Stabat Mater" is arranged for choirS and
full orchestra, the Prayer for two So
pranos, mezzo-Soprano and a contralto.
and the tie Deum', for full chorus and or
The San Carlos Opera House at Lisbon
boasts of singer who is known as the
'tenor-actor-jo urnalist-novelist." This uni
versal genius, who bears the name of Gug-
lielmo Anastasi, is meeting with immense
success in his vocal capacity. His triumph
in Andrea Chenier'' was cut short by the
Portuguese police, who objected to the
OrNa nOrnfn Tf1c hn HTnrc nf1
laise," but the literary tenor, not to be
daunted, has now become quite a popular
idol in Mario Wetter" and in Pucinfs La
Zelie de Lussan, who was to have come
back this year with Mr.. Grau, has lately
been singing in Paris, and so has Nine. Ne
vada, another American, who has not been
heard there in several years. Emma Nevada
was in this country two winters ago.
Marguerite Reid, another American singer,
has lately been appearing with success in
France, and she has been highly praised
wherever she sang;
The reception of Richard Strauss the
kapellmeister of Munich, in Paris during
the tins of his leading the Colonne orches-
ira, was flatterng in the extreme. His COM
positions have had the most impressive
treatment, and were heard with great APP
probation. His symphonic poem, Death
and Transformation" was profound, and
created a marked impression.
Saint-Saens's Henry VIII will have it's
first American hearing in Chicago during
the sojourn there of the Grau Opera Com
pany, next season. 1t was brought out in
Paris. in March, 1883, with Lasaslle as the
King, Doremus as Den Gomez Mile. Kraus
as Katherine, and Nine. Richard as Anna
Boleyn.
M. Pol Plancon is studying German, in or
der to sing the Landgraves part in Tam
ha1ser' next season. He has lately had a
royal reception at Ottawa, Canada, where
his singing created perfect furore.
F. H. Cowen has just finished a new Con-
certstuck for pianoforte and orchestra. 1t
was written at the suggestion of Pader-
ewski, by whom probably, it will be played
for the first time in public.
Maud Valerie White, the world-renowned
song writer, is putting the finishing touches
to an opera.